
With the aim to overcome the limitations of ex vivo bone marrow purging, we have assessed the ability of the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab (Rituxan), given in combination with chemotherapy, to eradicate polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–detectable disease, and to enable the harvesting of large amounts of uncontaminated peripheral blood progenitor cells in patients with low-grade lymphoma (in vivo purging). From April 1997 to July 1998, 20 consecutive patients entered the study. Eligibility included age £ 60 years, a diagnosis of untreated mantle cell lymphoma or of refractory/early relapsed follicular lymphoma, CD20 expression by tumor cells, histologic bone marrow infiltration, and availability of a molecular marker for minimal residual disease detection.
