Role of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody in association with immunomodulatory agents

Chimeric monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody (Rituximab) has been associated with immunomodulatory agents such as interferon alpha, interleukin-2, interleukin-12, G-CSF, GM-CSF and anti-CD22 humanized monoclonal antibody (Epratuzumab). Synergy with interferon is clearly demonstrated increasing complete response rate and response duration. Other associations are promising but must be tested in randomized prospective trials versus rituximab alone, probably in indolent lymphomas where chemotherapy could be avoided.