Therapeutic application of chimeric and radiolabeled antibodies to human B Lymphocyte restricted differentiation antigen for treatment of B cell Lymphoma

Abstract

Disclosed herein are therapeutic treatment protocols designed for the treatment of B cell lymphoma. These protocols are based upon therapeutic strategies which include the use of administration of immunologically active mouse/human chim eric anti-CD20 antibodies, radiolabeled anti-CD20 antibodies, and cooperative strategies comprising the use of chimeric anti-CD20 antibodies and radiolabeled anti-CD20 antibodies.

1 . A method of lymphoma therapy in a patient in need of such therapy which comprises: 
 (a) performing a first treatment wherein an unlabelled anti-CD20 antibody that binds to the CD20 antigen present on lymphoma cells is administered to the patient; and    (b) performing a second treatment which comprises administration of at least one chemotherapeutic agent;    wherein said first and second treatments are effected in any order or concurrently.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said second treatment comprises administration of more than one chemotherapeutic agent.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said first and second steps are effected concurrently.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said anti-CD20 antibody is administered prior to said administration of chemotherapeutic agent.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said anti-CD20 antibody is administered after administration of said chemotherapeutic agent.  
     
     
         6 . A method for lymphoma therapy which comprises: 
 (a) performing a first treatment wherein an unlabelled anti-CD20 antibody that binds to the CD20 antigen present on lymphoma cells is administered to the patient; and    (b) performing a second treatment which comprises administration of at least one chemotherapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone;    wherein said first and second treatments are effected in any order or concurrently.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said chemotherapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone and doxorubicin.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said chemotherapeutic agent is doxorubicin.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said chemotherapeutic agent is vincristine.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said chemotherapeutic agent is cyclophosphamide.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said chemotherapeutic agent is prednisone.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said unlabelled anti-CD20 antibody is a chimeric anti-CD20 antibody.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said unlabelled anti-CD20 antibody is a chimeric anti-CD20 antibody.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said unlabelled anti-CD20 antibody is a chimeric anti-CD20 antibody.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said anti-CD20 antibody is a chimeric anti-CD20 antibody.