OptiMATe: A phase 3 trial to optimise the MATRix chemotherapy regimen in primary central nervous system lymphoma

This phase 3 trial aims to optimise the MATRix chemotherapy regimen in people with newly diagnosed primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma as well as reducing side-effects and improving outcomes 

You can share the following isrctn.com Identifier with your medical team so they can find out more about the trial: ISRCTN14742241 

Trial aim and background  

Primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the CNS (PCNSL) is a rare type of lymphoma which affects any part of the brain, spinal cord, or eye. It is currently treated with:

  1. Induction treatment: initial chemotherapy regimen of 4 cycles of MATRix (rituximab, methotrexate, cytarabine, thiotepa)
  2. Consolidation treatment: high dose chemotherapy regimen of carmustine or busulfan followed by an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT)

The induction treatment is intensive and a third of patients cannot cope with it and therefore cannot have an ASCT which is an important part of successful treatment.

This trial aims to increase the number of patients who get to have an ASCT by reducing the toxicity of the induction regimen, and also increasing its effectiveness.

People in the trial will be allocated to the control or the experimental arm. The control arm will receive the standard MATRix regimen. The experimental arm will receive two of the MATRix drugs (rituximab and methotrexate), followed by two cycles of the standard regimen and then go on to have the consolidation treatment. 

Who can enter

Adults aged under 70 with newly diagnosed PCNSL may be eligible for this trial.

Locations

Recruitment is taking place in the following UK locations:

  • Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham 
  • University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London
  • University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton
  • Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow
  • Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, Romford
  • The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester
  • The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle
  • Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds
  • Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield
  • University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth
  • Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Hull
  • Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford
  • The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Wirral
  • University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, Stoke-on-Trent
  • King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London

Further information 

More information about what treatments are involved, the criteria you must meet in order to take part in the trial and where this trial is taking place are available at https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN14742241

Lymphoma Action are not able to refer people to specific trials. If you are interested in taking part in this trial we recommend that you print the trial summary and discuss it with your medical team. They can advise you on whether you might be eligible for the trial and how you can take part based on your individual circumstances.