Split-Dose R-CHOP for Older Adults With DLBCL

Last updated: January 28, 2026
Sponsor: University of Wisconsin, Madison
Overall Status: Active - Not Recruiting

Phase

2

Condition

Neoplasms

Lymphoma, B-cell

Cancer

Treatment

Doxorubicin

Vincristine

Rituximab

Clinical Study ID

NCT03943901
2019-0138
SMPH\MEDICINE\HEM-ONC
A534260
NCI-2020-01530
Protocol Version 6/14/2022
2019-0138
Protocol Version 7/21/2023
  • Ages > 70
  • All Genders

Study Summary

This study is investigating a new administration schedule of Rituximab, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine, Prednisone (R-CHOP) chemotherapy for participants with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), focusing on an underserved elderly population (aged 75 and up; certain participants 70-74 may be eligible) that is often excluded from clinical trials. Participants can expect to be on study for 2.5 years (treatment for 6 months and 2 years of post treatment follow-up).

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Signed and dated informed consent document indicating that the participant (orlegally acceptable representative) has been informed of all pertinent aspects of thetrial

  • All patients age ≥75 years and participants aged 70-74 years who are determined tobe unfit or frail by Cumulative Illness Rating Score-Geriatrics (CIRS-G) scale

  • For participants aged 70-74 years: CIRS-G score with 5-8 comorbid conditionsscored 2 or ≥1 comorbidity scored 3-4. CIRS-G score is to be reviewed by thestudy PI prior to enrollment.

  • Newly diagnosed, untreated, biopsy proven CD20 positive DLBCL (including high gradeB-cell lymphoma & T-cell/histiocytic rich large B-cell lymphoma). Participants withdiscordant bone marrow (i.e. involved by low-grade/indolent NHL) are eligible.Participants with transformed DLBCL from underlying low-grade disease are eligible.Participants with composite DLBCL and concurrent low-grade lymphoma are eligible.

  • Copy of pathology report must be sent to coordinating site to confirm diagnosisfor eligibility

  • Participants with prior treatment for low grade NHL with non-anthracyclinebased regimens are eligible

  • Measurable disease by PET/CT or Bone Marrow (BM) biopsy prior to enrollment

  • Left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50% by resting echocardiography or restingMulti-gated acquisition (MUGA) scan

  • Karnofsky Performance Score ≥50

  • Ann Arbor Stage II bulky, III, or IV disease

  • Minimum life expectancy greater than 3 months

  • Negative HIV test

  • For participants with hepatitis B virus antigen (HbsAg) or core antibody (HbcAb)seropositivity, participants must have a negative Hep B viral load and anappropriate prophylaxis plan must be in place during chemotherapy therapy treatment.For all participants that have Hep B core antibody positive, they should takeentecavir prophylaxis (0.5 mg PO daily) until 1 year from completion ofchemotherapy. Hep B viral load should be checked on these participants prior tostarting chemotherapy and every 3 months thereafter if initial Hep B viral load isnegative (+/- 1 week if chemotherapy cycle is delayed). If Hep B viral load ispositive, Hepatology or Identification (ID) referral is recommended, and hepatitis Bvirus (HBV) viral load should be checked monthly

  • For participants with hepatitis C Ab (HbcAb) positivity, a viral load must bechecked and be negative for enrollment

  • Intrathecal chemotherapy for central nervous system prophylaxis only can be given atthe discretion of the primary oncologist

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of previous anthracycline exposure

  • Central Nervous System (CNS) or meningeal involvement at diagnosis

  • Creatinine Clearance <25 mL/min by body surface area (BSA)-adjusted Cockroft-Gault

  • Poor hepatic function, defined as total bilirubin concentration greater than 3.0mg/dL or transaminases over 4 times the maximum normal concentration, unless theseabnormalities are felt to be related to the lymphoma.

  • Pulmonary dysfunction defined as >2 L of oxygen required by nasal cannula tomaintain peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) ≥90% unless felt to berelated to underlying lymphoma.

  • Myocardial Infarction within 6 months of enrollment

  • Active, uncontrolled infectious disease

  • Known concurrent bone marrow malignancies (e.g. myelodysplastic syndrome) or poorbone-marrow reserve, defined as neutrophil count less than 1.5×10⁹/L or plateletcount less than 100×10⁹/L, unless caused by bone-marrow infiltration with lymphoma

  • History of a second concurrent active malignancy or prior malignancy which requiredchemotherapy treatment within the preceding 2 years

  • Treatment with any investigational drug within 30 days before the planned firstcycle of chemotherapy

  • Unable or unwilling to sign consent

Study Design

Total Participants: 27
Treatment Group(s): 6
Primary Treatment: Doxorubicin
Phase: 2
Study Start date:
February 17, 2021
Estimated Completion Date:
February 28, 2027

Study Description

This study will test the efficacy of split-dose R-CHOP for the treatment of elderly patients with de novo diagnosis of DLBCL or transformed DLBCL. Split-dose R-CHOP involves giving Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine, Prednisone (CHOP) chemotherapy at 14 days' interval with Rituximab given once/month. The safety for every 14-day CHOP administration was studied in a large prospective randomized control trial of patients up to the age of 80 years. In this study, R-CHOP given every 14 days for up to 6 cycles was felt to be the best method of delivery of chemotherapy. Receiving greater than 6 cycles of R-CHOP chemotherapy was not found to be beneficial compared to participants receiving 6 cycles of R-CHOP. Additionally, an interim response adapted approach by combining imaging and MRD testing will be used to identify participants who will receive an abbreviated chemotherapy course if they are both Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) and Minimum Residual Dose (MRD) negative.

In the proposed study, participants will receive a 50% dose reduction of CHOP chemotherapy on Day 1 and Day 15 of each cycle with full dose Rituximab on Day 1 for up to a total of 6 months of chemotherapy. Participants who are MRD and PET/CT negative after 2 months will be placed on an abbreviated regimen with R-CHOP x 4 additional doses with full dose Rituximab and a 50% dose reduction in CHOP chemotherapy. The hypothesis is that this method of administration of R-CHOP will be a safe and effective form of chemotherapy for older patients with DLBCL and will allow older patients to receive curative intent treatment.

Connect with a study center

  • University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center

    Madison, Wisconsin 53705
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center

    Madison 5261457, Wisconsin 5279468 53705
    United States

    Site Not Available

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