Anti-CD20-based therapy of B cell lymphoma: state of the art.

Over the last 5 years, studies applying the chimeric anti-CD20 MAb have renewed enthusiasm and triggered world-wide application of anti-CD20 MAb-based therapies in B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Native chimeric anti-CD20 and isotope-labeled murine anti-CD20 MAbs are currently employed with encouraging results as monotherapy or in combination with conventional chemotherapy and in consolidation of remission after treatments with curative intent (ie after/ in combination with high-dose chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell rescue). On the available experience, anti-CD20 MAb-based therapeutic strategies will be increasingly integrated in the treatment of B cell NHL and related malignancies.