Successful autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in transformed follicular lymphoma previously treated with radioimmunotherapy (iodine I-131 tositumomab)

While the use of radioimmunotherapy for lymphoma increases, the feasibility and efficacy of autologous stem cell transplant for subsequent relapse remains unknown. We report a 48-year-old male with transformed follicular mixed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. After treatment with three different combination chemotherapy regimens, at relapse he received radioimmunotherapy with iodine I-131 tositumomab (anti-CD20), with very good response. At later relapse, a second course of I-131 tositumomab was given unsuccessfully. He underwent peripheral blood stem cell harvest, chemoradiotherapy conditioning and autologous transplantation with prompt engraftment and without significant complications. He remains in complete remission with normal blood counts 25 months post autograft.