Results from a recent Phase 3 trial for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) have just been released! This trial was called POLARIX and the results demonstrated that polatuzumab vedotin-based treatment regimens improved patient outcomes significantly.
These results are huge because it is the very first treatment regimen in the last 20 years to have such positive results for patients.
The Study
This study included patients who had not yet been treated for their DLBCL.
As it stands, 40% of patients relapse after their disease progresses. Improving survival rates and decreasing risk of progression have always been the goal.
This Phase 3 study was randomized, placebo-controlled, and double-blind. A total of 879 patients were randomized into two different groups.
The therapy, polatuzumab vedotin, was given to patients in combination with R-CHP (Rituximab and cyclosophamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone). It was also given with R-CHOP (rituximab and cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone).
This therapy is an anti-CD79b antibody. It is currently being investigated for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), a group of diseases that includes DLBCL. Since the CD79b protein is present on most B-cells, and B-cells are affected in some forms of NHL, this therapy is believed to be promising. The therapeutic agent binds to the cancerous cells and kills them using an anti-cancer agent.
This trial for DLBCL met its primary endpoint, showing progression-free survival for patients. Additionally, the safety profile of the therapy was found to be similar to other therapeutic agents.
Looking Forward
The full results of this trial should be released soon. As soon as they are released, the researchers will submit them to the FDA. The goal is to deliver this new treatment to those who need it as soon as physically possible.
The therapy polatuzumab vedotin is currently used as a fixed-duration off-the-shelf treatment for DLBCL. It has also already been approved as a combination treatment (with rituximab and bendamustine) for this patient population (both relapsed and refractory).
REFERENCE
Phase III study shows Roche’s Polivy plus R-CHP is the first regimen in 20 years to significantly improve outcomes in previously untreated aggressive form of lymphoma compared to standard of care. News release. Roche; August 9, 2021. Accessed August 9, 2021. https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2021-08-09.htm
You can read more about this trial and its findings here.
