CD38: From Positive to Negative Expression after Daratumumab Treatment
Bonell Patiño-Escobar1, Roberto Ramos1, Maximo Linares1
1Hematology, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Bogota, COL.
Cureus
|May 14, 2020
Summary
Daratumumab treatment for multiple myeloma can lead to CD38 expression negativization in plasma cells. This case study shows a patient developing this resistance mechanism after four treatment cycles.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- CD38 is a glycoprotein highly expressed on plasma cells (PC) in multiple myeloma.
- Daratumumab, a CD38-specific antibody, is approved for multiple myeloma treatment.
- CD38 expression negativization is a potential resistance mechanism.


