Background: Autologous stem-cell transplantation has proved curative therapy for relapsed NHL. However, recurrence of underlying disease remains the major cause of treatment failure in this setting.
Methods: Development of effective MAb therapy directed against the B cell surface antigen CD20 has added a valuable tool of clearing contaminating lymphoma cells from stem-cell products by either in vitro or in vivo application.
Results: Transplantation of successfully in vitro purged bone marrow using Mabs has been correlated with prolonged survival in large Phase-II study. So far, no randomized trial could demonstrate a therapeutic benefit for in vitro purging. The anti-CD20 Mab rituximab has been used for in vivo purging at the time of stem cell collection or peritransplantation. This method has been shown to be safe and feasible. In the majority of patients the combination of rituximab with anti-lymphoma chemotherapy meant the collected stem cell products were free of molecularly-detectable lymphoma cells.
Discussion: The increasing ability to kill all lymphoma cells in vivo by regimens including myeloablative therapy renders contaminating lymphoma cells of the autologous stem cell product the main source for disease recurrence. Clearing of these cells remains a prerequisite for curative stem-cell transplantation. Establishment of safe and effective therapeutic schedules using Mabs will enhance the chance for collection of lymphoma-free hematopoietic stems cells.