CD56
From haematologyetc.co.uk
- Summary
- CD56 principally is used in the identification and classification of LGL disorders; CD56 is also expressed in some cases of myeloma and may be used in detection of MRD.
- Background
CD56 (Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule or NCAM) as most expressed on natural killer cells, but has been detected on other lymphoid cells including gamma delta T-cells and activated CD8 T cells as well as on dendritic cells.
- Diagnostic Use
- In myeloma a CD56 may be expressed by malignant plasma cells, but not by normal plasma cells so can be useful in disease monitoring
- In T-LGL leukaemia CD56 is variably expressed and is frequently negative, but in lymphoproliferative disorders of NK cells CD56 expression is usual