The present invention concerns compositions and methods of use of anti-HLA-DR antibodies or fragments thereof. In preferred embodiments, the antibodies are subcutaneously administered to a human patient with a hematologic cancer or autoimmune disease. The subcutaneously administered anti-HLA-DR antibody is effective to treat hematologic cancer or autoimmune disease in patients that have relapsed from or are refractory to standard therapies for hematologic cancer or autoimmune disease, such as administration of anti-CD20 antibodies, such as rituximab.