Monoclonal antibody therapy with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

BACKGROUND With the introduction of novel monoclonal antibody products into the clinic, significant new strategies are being developed to improve upon existing treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. METHODS Monoclonal antibodies are being used alone, in combination with chemotherapy, or as adjuncts to autologous bone marrow transplantation for the purpose of purging bone marrow of neoplastic cells. RESULTS Monoclonal antibodies when used in vivo in conjunction with autologous bone marrow transplantation have been relatively well tolerated. Results from several trials seem to demonstrate a therapeutic benefit for the use of such combinations. CONCLUSIONS Before these agents can be included in standard bone marrow transplantation regimen, long-term survival outcomes need to be obtained from randomized trials. We review the results from recent trials using monoclonal antibodies in conjunction with autologous stem cell transplantation for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.