Epcoritamab for Lymphoma

Recruiting at 5 trial locations

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Sponsor: Academic and Community Cancer Research United

Must not be taking: CD20 antibodies

Disqualifiers: Bulky disease, CNS lymphoma, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Approved in 2 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 91

Duration: 12 months

120 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This phase II trial compares epcoritamab to standard practice (observation) for the treatment of patients with B-cell lymphomas who are not in complete remission after treatment with CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy. Epcoritamab is a bispecific antibody. It works by simultaneously attaching to a molecule called CD20 on cancerous B-cells and a molecule called CD3 on effector T-cells, which are a type of immune cell. When epcoritamab binds to CD20 and CD3, it brings the two cells together and activates the T-cells to kill the cancerous B-cells. Epcoritamab may increase a patient's chances of achieving complete remission after CD19-directed CAR-T therapy, compared to standard observation.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, you cannot have received a CD20-targeted monoclonal antibody within 4 weeks prior to registration.

What data supports the effectiveness of the drug Epcoritamab for treating lymphoma?

Epcoritamab has shown promising results in treating relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), with studies reporting overall response rates of 55.6% and complete response rates of 44.4%. It works by engaging T-cells to target and kill cancerous B-cells, and has been effective even in patients who did not respond to previous treatments. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How is the drug Epcoritamab unique in treating lymphoma?

Epcoritamab is unique because it is a bispecific antibody that engages T-cells to target and kill cancerous B-cells, and it is administered subcutaneously (under the skin), which is different from many other treatments that are given intravenously (through a vein). ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Research Team

Grzegorz S Nowakowski

Principal Investigator

Academic and Community Cancer Research United

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for patients with B-cell lymphomas who haven't fully recovered after CD19-directed CAR-T therapy. Participants should have had a partial response or stable disease post-treatment, but not complete remission.

Inclusion Criteria

My disease can be measured with tests.

I received a specific CAR-T therapy and had a partial response after about a month.

I am willing to give tissue and blood samples for research.

Exclusion Criteria

I have received specific treatments before.

I have had CAR-T therapy and my cancer is still large.

Psychiatric illness/social situations limiting compliance

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Patients receive epcoritamab subcutaneously on a specified schedule for up to 12 cycles, with MRI, PET/CT, and blood sample collection throughout the trial

12 months

Multiple visits (in-person) per cycle

Observation

Patients undergo observation per standard care, with MRI, PET/CT, and blood sample collection throughout the trial

12 months

Regular visits (in-person) per standard care

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, with follow-up every 90 days for 1 year and then every 180 days for up to 5 years

5 years

Follow-up visits every 90 to 180 days

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Epcoritamab

Trial Overview The study compares epcoritamab, a bispecific antibody targeting cancerous B-cells and T-cells to enhance immune response, against standard observation after CAR-T therapy in achieving complete remission.

Participant Groups

Group I: Arm A (epcoritamab) Experimental Treatment 6 Interventions

Patients receive epcoritamab SC on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of cycles 1-3, days 1 and 15 of cycles 4-9, and day 1 of cycles 10-12. Treatment repeats every 28 days for up to 12 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo MRI at screening, undergo PET/CT and collection of blood samples throughout the trial, and undergo biopsy at screening and end of treatment. Patients may undergo CT or MRI during follow up.

Group II: Arm B (observation) Active Control 6 Interventions

Patients undergo observation per standard care. Patients also undergo MRI at screening, undergo PET/CT and collection of blood samples throughout the trial, and undergo biopsy at screening and end of treatment. Patients may undergo CT or MRI during follow up.

Epcoritamab is already approved in United States, European Union for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Epkinly for:

• Relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy
• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy

Approved in European Union as Tepkinly for:

• Relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy
• Relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Academic and Community Cancer Research United

Lead Sponsor

Trials

54

Recruited

4,900+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14,080

Recruited

41,180,000+

Findings from Research

Epcoritamab is a bispecific antibody that targets CD3 and CD20, designed for treating relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and received conditional approval in the USA on May 19, 2023, for adult patients after at least two prior therapies.

The drug has also received a positive opinion in the EU and is under review in Japan, indicating its potential as a significant treatment option for patients with difficult-to-treat B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma subtypes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Epcoritamab: First Approval. Frampton, JE.[2023]

Epcoritamab, a bispecific antibody targeting CD3 and CD20, was found to be safe and well-tolerated in 73 patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, with no dose-limiting toxic effects and a recommended phase 2 dose established at 48 mg.

The treatment showed promising efficacy, with an overall response rate of 68% in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and 90% in those with follicular lymphoma, indicating its potential as a viable therapy for these difficult-to-treat conditions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dose escalation of subcutaneous epcoritamab in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma: an open-label, phase 1/2 study. Hutchings, M., Mous, R., Clausen, MR., et al.[2021]

Epcoritamab, a bispecific antibody targeting CD3 and CD20, demonstrated a 55.6% overall response rate and a 44.4% complete response rate in 36 Japanese patients with relapsed or refractory CD20+ B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after a median follow-up of 8.4 months.

The treatment had a manageable safety profile, with cytokine release syndrome being the most common adverse event (83.3%), primarily low grade, and all cases resolved without leading to treatment discontinuation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Subcutaneous epcoritamab monotherapy in Japanese adults with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Izutsu, K., Kumode, T., Yuda, J., et al.[2023]

Epcoritamab, a bispecific antibody targeting CD3 and CD20, showed a 63.1% overall response rate in 157 patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma, indicating its efficacy in this challenging patient population.

The treatment was generally well-tolerated, with manageable side effects; however, cytokine release syndrome was common (49.7%), and there was one reported fatality due to immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Epcoritamab, a Novel, Subcutaneous CD3xCD20 Bispecific T-Cell-Engaging Antibody, in Relapsed or Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Dose Expansion in a Phase I/II Trial. Thieblemont, C., Phillips, T., Ghesquieres, H., et al.[2023]

Epcoritamab, a bispecific antibody, showed strong efficacy in killing primary tumor cells from patients with newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL), achieving median lysis rates of 65% to 84% across different lymphoma types.

The effectiveness of epcoritamab was consistent regardless of prior treatments, including CD20 monoclonal antibodies, indicating its potential as a treatment option for patients who have become resistant to existing therapies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Epcoritamab induces potent anti-tumor activity against malignant B-cells from patients with DLBCL, FL and MCL, irrespective of prior CD20 monoclonal antibody treatment. van der Horst, HJ., de Jonge, AV., Hiemstra, IH., et al.[2021]

References

1. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Epcoritamab: First Approval. [2023]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dose escalation of subcutaneous epcoritamab in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma: an open-label, phase 1/2 study. [2021]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Subcutaneous epcoritamab monotherapy in Japanese adults with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. [2023]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Epcoritamab, a Novel, Subcutaneous CD3xCD20 Bispecific T-Cell-Engaging Antibody, in Relapsed or Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Dose Expansion in a Phase I/II Trial. [2023]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Epcoritamab induces potent anti-tumor activity against malignant B-cells from patients with DLBCL, FL and MCL, irrespective of prior CD20 monoclonal antibody treatment. [2021]