Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, making up about one-third of cases. Standard treatment combines chemotherapy with rituximab, an antibody drug that targets the CD20 protein on B cells. About 60% of people achieve long-term remission with this approach, but researchers are working to improve outcomes for everyone and find less toxic options.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing CAR T-cell therapy earlier in treatment, newer antibody-drug conjugates that deliver chemotherapy directly to cancer cells, bispecific antibodies that recruit the immune system, and combinations that avoid traditional chemotherapy entirely. Researchers are also studying genetic subtypes of the disease to match people with treatments most likely to work for their specific lymphoma.
CAR T-cell therapy earlier
CAR T-cell therapy was approved in 2017 for relapsed lymphoma and is now being tested as second-line treatment and even alongside initial chemotherapy. Trials are comparing it head-to-head with stem cell transplant.
Bispecific antibodies
These drugs link cancer cells to immune cells, forcing them together so the immune system attacks the lymphoma. Several are now approved for relapsed disease and being tested earlier in treatment.
Antibody-drug conjugates
Drugs like loncastuximab attach chemotherapy to an antibody that finds cancer cells, delivering treatment directly to the tumor. Trials are combining them with other targeted drugs to avoid traditional chemotherapy.
What to know before you search
Eligibility often depends on disease stage, prior treatments, genetic subtype identified through biopsy, and whether the lymphoma has relapsed or is newly diagnosed.
What types of trials are currently open
- CAR T-cell trials — Testing engineered immune cells as earlier treatment or in combination with other therapies. May require two weeks of cell collection and manufacturing.
- Targeted therapy trials — Testing antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific antibodies, or other drugs aimed at specific proteins on lymphoma cells, often with less chemotherapy or none at all.
- Combination trials — Testing new drug combinations to replace or improve on standard chemotherapy plus rituximab, particularly for high-risk subtypes.
- Maintenance trials — Testing whether continued treatment after remission can prevent relapse.
- Biomarker studies — Collecting tumor samples to identify genetic features that predict which treatments will work best.
Recently added Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma trials
Efficacy and Safety of Chidamide Combined With PD-1 Inhibitor as Maintenance Therapy Following CAR-T Cell Treatment With TP53-Mutated Large B-Cell Lymphoma (LBCL)
This is a study for patients with a type of blood cancer called large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) who have a mutation in a gene called TP53. This gene mutation often makes the cancer harder to treat with standard therapies. CAR T-cell therapy is a treatment that uses a patient's own immune cells to fight cancer. However, some patients relapse (the cancer comes back) after CAR T-cell therapy. This study will test whether taking two drugs - chidamide (a tablet taken by mouth) and a PD-1 inhibitor (given by intravenous infusion) - as maintenance therapy after CAR T-cell therapy can help keep the cancer from coming back. Participants in this study will receive CAR T-cell therapy, followed by maintenance treatment with chidamide combined with a PD-1 inhibitor. Doctors will closely monitor participants for how well the treatment works and for any side effects. The study will take place at a single hospital, and all participants will receive the same treatment. The main goal of the study is to find out if this maintenance treatment is effective and safe for patients with TP53-mutant large B-cell lymphoma.
Efficacy and Safety of Polatuzumab Vedotin, Rituximab Combined With Reduced-dose Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin and Prednisone Regimen in the Treatment of Elderly Patients With Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma: A Multicenter, Single-arm, Prospective Study
This is a multicenter, single-arm, prospective study evaluating the efficacy and safety of polatuzumab vedotin and rituximab combined with a reduced-dose regimen of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and prednisone (Pola-R-miniCHP) as first-line treatment in elderly, frail patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The primary objective is to assess the 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate. Eligible participants are elderly patients with previously untreated DLBCL who are assessed as frail or with poor tolerance by comprehensive geriatric assessment.
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