Tag: follicular lymphoma

ICML Update: Lenalidomide and Rituximab Are Well Tolerated and Effective in Patients with Previously Untreated Follicular Lymphoma

On June 20, at the 12th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma, Dr. Peter Martin presented preliminary results from the CALGB-sponsored phase II study of oral lenalidomide plus rituximab in patients with previously untreated follicular lymphoma. Although preliminary, the overall and complete response rates were promising (93% and 72%, respectively) and the regimen was well tolerated. Moreover, these results are comparable to standard chemotherapy-containing regimens and provide rationale for further development of non-chemotherapy treatments for patients with follicular lymphoma. Shortly we will begin conducting a trial of lenalidomide, rituximab, and ibrutinib in patients with previously untreated follicular lymphoma and hope to improve even further on these results.

Please look back to this space for further updates regarding future trials with lenalidomide, rituximab, and ibrutinib.

ASCO Update: Lenalidomide + Rituximab Superior to Lenalidomide Alone in Relapsed Lymphoma

John Leonard, MD

At the recent meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Dr. John Leonard, the director of the Weill Cornell Lymphoma Program, presented the results of the CALGB 50401 trial. The trial compared lenalidomide plus rituximab versus lenalidomide alone in 94 patients with previously treated follicular lymphoma.

Although significant side effects were similar in both treatment arms, the patients treated with the lenalidomide plus rituximab were more likely to respond to treatment (75% vs. 49%) and remain on treatment compared to lenalidomide alone. Based on these results, the investigators concluded that the lenalidomide-rituximab regimen should be considered as a platform for addition of new drugs in future studies.

Click here to read the published abstract.

New Weill Cornell Study: Ofatumumab in Untreated Follicular Lymphoma

CALGB 50901: A Phase II Trial of Ofatumumab (CALGB IND #112390) in Previously Untreated Follicular Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL)

The Weill Cornell Lymphoma Program is now enrolling people in a new clinical trial for patients with follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Dr. Peter Martin is the physician leading the study at Weill Cornell.

For more information about the study, please call Amelyn Rodriguez, RN at (212) 746-1362 or email Amelyn at amr2017@med.cornell.edu.

Key Eligibility
  • Men and women age 18 or older
  • Follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)
  • No prior therapy for NHL including chemotherapy or immunotherapy
  • Detailed eligibility reviewed when you contact the study team
Study Details

This is a clinical trial for patients with follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) who have not been previously treated. The purpose of the study is to determine how well patients with follicular NHL respond to treatment with the drug ofatumumab.

Ofatumumab is an antibody therapy that is targeted to attack the abnormal cancer cells that make up follicular lymphoma by recognizing a protein on the surface of these cells. Ofatumumab is an effective treatment for follicular lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia that comes back after people first respond to other chemotherapy. It is not known how well ofatumumab will work in patients with follicular lymphoma who have not been previously treated.

All patients in the study will receive ofatumumab. You will be randomly assigned to receive one of two doses of ofatumumab; neither you nor the study physician can choose which dose you receive.  You will receive either 500 mg or 1000 mg of the study drug via infusion on days 1, 8, 15 and 22 during the first 4 weeks of treatment (induction therapy). Following induction therapy ofatumumab will be given every other month to cover a total of 9 months. During this time you will continue to receive the same dose, either 500 mg or 1000 mg, that you were initially assigned.

We expect patients to be receiving treatment in the study for approximately 9 months. After completing study treatment you will be asked to return for follow-up tests 11, 15, 19, 23, 27, 31, and 35 months after entering the study, and then every 6 months for a maximum of 10 years from study entry, unless your disease should return.