Autologous stem cell transplantation for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is the only curative option for many patients with relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. ASCT achieves long-term survival in up to 50% of patients with chemotherapy-sensitive relapsed diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLCL), and prospective randomized studies have documented the superiority of ASCT over salvage chemotherapy in patients with relapsed DLCL However, the role of ASCT as an upfront therapy for patients with high-risk DLCL remains unclear, and prospective randomized studies have yielded mixed results. In addition, ASCT may not be curative in follicle center or mantle cell lymphoma, although longer follow-up may identify a subset of patients with prolonged survival. Ongoing clinical trials are studying the use of monoclonal antibodies, such as rituximab and iodine 131I-tositumomab, in ASCT regimens to purge tumor cells in vivo and improve long-term outcome in follicle center and mantle cell lymphoma.