The bright expression of the specific antigens CD19 and CD20 on the surface of hematologic tumor cells has made them attractive targets for therapy of B-cell lymphoid tumors (acute lymphoblastic leukemia-ALL, lymphomas and chronic lymphocytic leukemia-CLL). While the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab has become an accepted and successful treatment modality, early attempts to establish anti-CD19 therapy have failed or been discontinued. Recent developments with CD19-targeting antibodies have included bifunctional targeting to recruit cellular effectors, engineering of the antibody to enhance ADCC or the use of chemotherapeutic drugs in the conjugate or of immunotoxins. The most advanced projects have reached phase II development and further antibodies are following in the pipeline.

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