In vitro and in vivo purging of B lymphoma cells from stem-cell products using anti-CD20 Abs.

2000

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 bee…