Encouraging trial results for relapsed or refractory DLBCL

The Annals of Haematology last month published results from the phase 2 LEGEND study. The aim of the study was to find out whether a chemo-immunotherapy (chemotherapy with antibody therapy) regimen that includes the targeted drug lenalidomide is as effective as a standard chemo-immunotherapy regimen for people with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) that has relapsed (come back) or is refractory (didn’t respond) to previous treatment.

Participants in the study were treated with one of the following regimens:

• R-GEM-P (the standard treatment): rituximab combined with the chemotherapy drugs gemcitabine and cisplatin and the steroid methylprednisolone.
• R-GEM-L (the study treatment): lenalidomide combined with rituximab, gemcitabine and methylprednisolone.

The trial stopped recruiting new participants earlier than planned because preliminary results showed that neither of the treatment groups reached a very stringent, pre-defined response threshold. However, people who had already entered the study were allowed to continue.

The study authors analysed results from 34 people who took part in the study: 18 in the R-GEM-L group and 16 in the R-GEM-P group. Outcomes were similar in the two treatment groups. The authors concluded that the treatments seemed comparable in terms of efficacy and tolerability. The results suggested that R-GEM-L might be associated with fewer serious side effects than R-GEM-P, but the study was too small for this to be certain.

The authors concluded that the results were encouraging and provide a basis for further studies of lenalidomide and gemcitabine-based regimens in relapsed or refractory DLBCL or other lymphomas. 

To find out more about the LEGEND study and other clinical trials for lymphoma, or to search for a trial that might be suitable for you, visit Lymphoma TrialsLink.

18 February 2020