Immunotherapy and related therapies
Antibody therapy
The Lymphoma Group at OUH has for many years participated in multicenter trials investigating the role of monoclonal anti-CD20 antibodies, either alone, together with other biological agents, in combination with chemotherapy including high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem-cell transplant. These studies have contributed to improve treatment for various B-cell lymphomas. In the later years, beginning in 2020, these efforts have been expanded to include both industry and investigator-initiated trials (ITT) on CD20 directed bispecific antibodies, immunomodulatory agents and antibody-drug conjugates.
Ongoing studies include:
Follicular lymphoma
SAKK35/10-study. A randomized trial by the Nordic/Swiss lymphoma groups with a 6-month regimen of rituximab and lenalidomide in follicular lymphoma patients in need of first Therapy. Enrolment completed.
SAKK35/14-study. Randomized trial of Rituximab with or without ibrutinib for untreated patients with advanced follicular lymphoma in need of therapy. A Nordic/Swiss lymphoma group collaboration. Enrolment completed
Genmab 02 study. Safety and Efficacy Trial of Epcoritamab Combinations in Subjects With B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (EPCORE NHL-2).
MERLIN study. A Nordic phase 2 trial on patients with early relapse/progression (POD24) follicular lymphoma evaluating Mosunetuzumab. Headed by Dr. Marianne Brodtkorb
Mantle cell lymphoma
Altamira study: BTK inhibitor Acalabrutinib in first line treatment for elderly.
Triangle-Study. Autologous transplantation after a rituximab/ ibrutinib/ Ara-C containing induction in generalized mantle cell lymphoma – a randomized European MCL network. Enrolment completed. ctc.ucl.ac.uk/TrialDetails.aspx?Trial=133&TherA=4.
Enrich study: Ibrutinib for untreated elderly patients with mantle cell lymphoma. A study looking at ibrutinib for older people with mantle cell lymphoma (ENRICH) | Cancer Research UK. Enrolment completed.
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
POLAR BEAR trial in elderly or frail patients with diffuse large cell lymphoma, comparing R-pola-mini-CHP with R-mini-CHOP.
WAVELINE-004 Phase 2 study of Zilovertamab vedotin in patients with relapsed or refractroyr diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Enrolment completed.
Genmab 05 study A phase 3, open-label, randomized study (GCT3013-05) with relapsed or refractory DLBCL who failed or are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). Enrolment completed.
Golseek-1 study A Phase 3, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Golcadomide Plus R-CHOP Chemotherapy vs Placebo Plus R-CHOP Chemotherapy in Participants with Previously Untreated High-risk Large B-cell Lymphoma. Soon to start.
Hodgkin lymphoma
BVB-Trial Brentuximab vedotin or brentuximab vedotin wi\th cyclophosphamide, doxorubicine and prednisolone (B-CAP) in elderly patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma. A Nordic lymphoma group and German Hodgkin study group intergroup trial. Headed by Alexander Fosså and Boris Böll, Cologne, Germany. Enrolment completed
HD21 trial BrECADD (Brentuximab vedotin, etoposide, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, dacarbazine, dexamethasone) compared to BEACOPP (bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone) in a PET adapted approach for the treatment of newly diagnosed adult patients with advanced-stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma. A GHSG trial Home - GHSG - German Hodgkin Study Group. Enrolment completed
Radioimmuntherapy
Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) has for many years been an area of interest in our group, primarily headed by Dr. Arne Kolstad. Ex-vivo studies have been performed with the alfa-emittor 211At coupled to anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies in B-cell lymphoma cells (Thesis by dr. Ellen Aurlien 2004: Alfa-particle based radioimmunotherapy). In addition, the implementation of the beta-emitting 90Y-coupled anti-CD20 radioimmunotherapy (Ibritumomab tiotuxan, Zevalin®) in the treatment of B-cell lymphomas in clinical trials was done in the years up until about 2012.
Between 2013 and 2023 a series of in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies with 177Lu-Lilotomab satetraxetan have been conducted in collaboration with a Norwegian company developing the drug for potential clinical use in B-cell lymphomas. This work was headed from the clinical side by Dr. Arne Kolstad, later by Dr. Alexander Fosså. These efforts have now been abandoned.
Allogeneic stem cell transplantation with reduced conditioning
Allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo-SCT) has evolved as a strategy for immunotherapy for many hematological malignancies. As a result of close cooperation between National Cancer Institute USA and our group, studies were initiated for clinical use of allogeneic transplants in lymphoma patients beginning around 2004. Dr. Arne Kolstad in our group was heading this research at the Norwegian side, and these endeavors later evolved into acceptance of allogeneic stem cell transplant as a routine treatment for selected patients with various lymphomas.
Norwegian patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplant are registered in the European Bone Marrow Transplant registry by our colleagues in the Department of hematology, OUH. As such, our hospital contributes in registry-based research on outcomes after allo-SCT for lymphoma.
Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy
Since 2017, our research group has participated in industry-initiated studies on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. This work has been headed by Drs. Harald Holte and Arne Kolstad, now more by Drs. Marianne Brodtkorb, Alexander Fosså and others.