Background
Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) represents 5-10% of all non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and is characterized by Cyclin D1 overexpression plus t(11;14).1 Despite an improved understanding of biology and the development of more effective chemotherapy strategies incorporating autologous stem cell transplantation, in eligible patients, patients continue to have a poor prognosis overall. A better understanding of how to incorporate novel therapies will be critical to further improve outcomes in this disease.
The Trial
The ALLG NHL33 clinical trial at the Austin Hospital in Melbourne, aims to improve treatment for people with newly diagnosed mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).
Chief Investigator Associate Professor Eliza Hawkes from the Austin Hospital and Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre (ONJRC) in Melbourne is leading the trial, which is planned to open at between 15 and 20 sites across Australia and recruit 44 patients over three years. Dr Allison Barraclough, also from the Austin Hospital and ONJRC, the lead research fellow involved in NHL33, and has been instrumental in launching this important trial.
The trial will incorporate a tele-trials model with two remote sites under the lead tele-trials site of Townsville Hospital, Mackay Base being one of the sites.
The trial is testing a new treatment for treatment-naïve MCL called acalabrutinib when added to the standard treatments for this condition, which include combination chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation. This trial is looking specifically at the impact of adding acalabrutinib oral capsules in the induction and maintenance phases of standard treatments on stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells.
Current standard therapies for MCL include rituximab, R-DHAOx and BEAM autologous stem cell transplant. Acalabrutinib is currently approved for patients with MCL who have received at least one prior treatment/therapy. The ALLG NHL33 trial will help determine whether acalabrutinib is a suitable first-line therapy for MCL.
About Mantle Cell Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, particularly the lymph nodes. The lymphatic system helps to fight infections and disease. Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a relatively uncommon type of lymphoma affecting approximately 5-10% of all non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients. This type of Lymphoma develops when the body makes abnormal B-cells, which are white blood cells that fight infection. The lymphoma cells grow uncontrollably in lymph nodes, making them bigger. The disease is called “mantle cell lymphoma” because the tumour cells originate in the “mantle zone” or outer ring of the lymph node.
Development of more effective treatments for MCL has improved in recent years. However, despite this, a better understanding of how to treat this form of lymphoma is important to ensure patient outcomes can continue to be improved.
About the Australasian Leukaemia & Lymphoma Group (ALLG)
The Australasian Leukaemia & Lymphoma Group (ALLG) is a not-for-profit clinical trial organisation that sponsors local investigator-initiated clinical trials. The ALLG membership of over 400 clinicians is made up of almost all of the haematologists treating leukaemia and lymphoma across Australia and New Zealand. The ALLG plans, designs, conducts, monitors and publishes clinical trials across the entire spectrum of blood cancer including chronic myeloid leukaemia.
Participation in the trial
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma, please contact the treating physician to understand more about the trial.
Source: ALLG Launches New Trial for Mantle Cell Lymphoma | The Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group