Ongoing development of monoclonal antibodies and antibody drug-conjugates in lymphoma.

Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed against CD20, has changed practices in the treatment of patients with B-cell lymphoma. The large success of rituximab has contributed to validate immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies as a valuable strategy in lymphoma. Recently, better-engineered anti-CD20-mAbs have been designed to improve efficacy and safety. Also, new antibodies targeting other lymphoma subtypes including T-cell lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease have been developed. Ongoing pharmacology development is concentrating on immuno-drug-conjugates combining the toxicity of chemotherapy, isotopes, or toxins with the specificity of mAbs. This article offers an overview on the development of new antibodies and immuno conjugates in lymphoma.