Summary:The introduction of monoclonal antibodies into the clinic has paved the way for new approaches to stem cell transplantation for patients with lymphoma. These approaches include the development of new high-dose regimens with radiolabeled antibodies, in vivo purging techniques with the unlabeled antibodies, and posttransplant adjuvant immunotherapy. Numerous trials have demonstrated the feasibility of these approaches. However, questions remain regarding the application of these antibodies including the ultimate efficacy. The recent results of the incorporation of monoclonal antibodies into stem cell transplantation and current research directions are reviewed. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2001) 27, 565-569. Keywords: transplantation; monoclonal antibody; lymphoma In 1975, Köhler and Milstein first reported a reproducible technique for inducing and large-scale production of monoclonal antibodies (MAB), agents which bind to specific antigens on cell surfaces. 1 This publication met with significant optimism as it described a new way to specifically target and destroy malignant cells using murine MAB. In 1979 the first attempt at MAB therapy was undertaken. 2 Unfortunately, however, the early clinical trials were not as successful as originally anticipated. Obstacles included the immunogenicity of the murine MAB which shortened the serum half-life and prevented repeat dosing, inadequate fixation of human complement, and the inability to fully activate host antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). 3,4 These obstacles subsequently were overcome by methods of 'humanization' of the MAB which retain the antigen-binding portion of the MAB contained within the murine variable or hypervariable regions and replace the remainder of the antibody with the human counterparts. This 'humanization' of product decreased the immuno- genicity and thus permitted multiple dosing, increased the serum half-life and allowed for the fixation of complement and activation of ADCC. In addition, significant insight has been gained into what constitutes an appropriate target. As most lymphomas are of B cell origin, B cell antigens such as CD20 and CD22 have become popular choices. These advances have resulted in MAB becoming effective tools alone or in combination with chemotherapy frequently employed in the treatment of lymphoma. 5 Many MAB products presently are approved for clinical use or in various stages of approval, and include radioimmunoconjugates with various isotopes as well as 'naked' antibodies (Table 1). The development of murine and humanized MAB has opened the way for several improvements in the peripheral blood and marrow transplantation of lymphoma, which will be reviewed herein.
Radioimmunoconjugated MABAs outlined above, the clinical utility of murine monoclonal antibodies was limited by the short half-life, immunogenicity, and difficulty with fixing complement and effecting ADCC. An alternative approach is to attach a source of radiation emission to the antibody as a way of giving targeted radiation therapy....