Rituximab with peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in CD20 lymphoproliferative disorders

Bone marrow involvement in follicular center and mantle cell lymphomas and chronic lymphocytic leukemia is difficult to eliminate. Rituximab, an anti- CD20 specific therapy has been demonstrated to be effective in marrow disea se. We used rituximab in combination with peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation following BEAM therapy in patients with CD20 positive marr ow disease either in residual disease or as a purging approach. Our experie nce emphasizes that the purging modality is more effective than the treatme nt of residual disease.