Lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system, divided into two main types: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), which includes dozens of subtypes. Treatment varies widely by subtype and stage, from watchful waiting for slow-growing forms to intensive chemotherapy, targeted drugs, radiation, and stem cell transplant for aggressive disease. Many people with lymphoma now live years or decades after diagnosis.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing CAR T-cell therapy for earlier lines of treatment, bispecific antibodies that redirect immune cells to attack lymphoma, combinations of targeted drugs like BTK inhibitors and BCL-2 inhibitors, and antibody-drug conjugates that deliver chemotherapy directly to cancer cells. Researchers are also studying ways to treat lymphoma without chemotherapy, particularly in older adults and people with slow-growing subtypes.
CAR T-cell therapy expansion
CAR T-cell therapy, which engineers a person's immune cells to fight lymphoma, is now FDA-approved for several types of NHL and being tested in earlier treatment lines. Trials are studying whether people can skip chemotherapy entirely if CAR T works as first treatment.
Bispecific antibodies
These drugs attach to both a lymphoma cell and a T-cell, forcing the immune system to destroy the cancer. Several are now approved for relapsed lymphoma, and trials are testing combinations with other drugs and use in earlier treatment.
Chemotherapy-free regimens
Studies are combining targeted drugs—like venetoclax, ibrutinib, and obinutuzumab—to treat certain lymphomas without traditional chemotherapy. Early results show this approach may work well for older adults and people with specific subtypes.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on lymphoma subtype, stage, number of prior treatments, and whether you've already received certain therapies like CAR T or stem cell transplant.
What types of trials are currently open
- CAR T and cell therapy trials — Testing engineered immune cells, often comparing CAR T to standard treatment or studying it in combination with other drugs. May require leukapheresis to collect immune cells.
- Targeted therapy trials — Testing drugs that attack specific proteins in lymphoma cells, such as BTK inhibitors, PI3K inhibitors, or antibody-drug conjugates. Often pills or infusions given alongside or instead of chemotherapy.
- Bispecific antibody trials — Testing antibodies that connect lymphoma cells to immune cells. Usually given as infusions, sometimes requiring hospital stays for the first doses to monitor for side effects.
- Combination trials — Testing whether adding a new drug to standard treatment improves outcomes, or whether combinations of targeted drugs can replace chemotherapy.
- Maintenance trials — Testing whether taking a drug for months or years after initial treatment prevents lymphoma from returning. Often for people already in remission.
Recently added Lymphoma trials
Complete specialized imaging scans to help predict your lymphoma treatment response
This multicenter study aims to evaluate the predictive value of tumor microenvironment PET/CT imaging for treatment response and prognosis in patients with aggressive lymphoma. Eligible patients with histologically confirmed aggressive lymphoma will undergo FAPI PET/CT imaging, and selected patients who are candidates for immunotherapy will undergo Grazytracer PET/CT imaging. These imaging methods are intended to assess fibroblast activation protein expression and granzyme B activity in lymphoma lesions, reflecting cancer-associated fibroblasts and cytotoxic T-cell activity in the tumor microenvironment. The study will explore optimal imaging assessment criteria and develop clinical-pathological-imaging models to predict treatment response, prognosis, and the relationship between tumor heterogeneity and refractory or relapsed disease.
Share your medical history and provide blood samples for lymphoma research
The goal of this observational cohort study is to learn how toxin and occupational exposures, germline genetic variation, and immune dysregulation relate to B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma among active-duty service members and other Military Health System beneficiaries. The main questions are whether specific exposures and germline variants are associated with B-cell NHL subtype, immune dysfunction, and clinical outcomes. Participants will complete exposure and medical-history surveys, provide biospecimens for immune and genomic testing, and may be followed annually for up to 3 years.
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