Comparing two treatment regimens for elderly patients with mantle cell lymphoma

A Randomized Phase II Trial Comparing Rituximab/Bendamustine(RB) Alternating With Rituximab/Bendamustine/Cytarabine(RBAC) With RB as Induction Therapy in Elderly Patients With Newly Diagnosed and Transplant-ineligible Mantle Cell Lymphoma

PHASE2 · Samsung Medical Center · NCT05245656

This study is testing if an alternating treatment plan for mantle cell lymphoma can help older patients feel better compared to the standard treatment they usually receive.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment90 (estimated)
Ages60 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorSamsung Medical Center (other)
Drugs / interventionsrituximab
Locations1 site (Seoul, Gangnam-Gu)
Trial IDNCT05245656 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This phase 2, multicenter, open-label trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab/bendamustine (RB) alternating with rituximab/bendamustine/cytarabine (RBAC) compared to standard RB therapy in elderly patients with mantle cell lymphoma who are not candidates for high-dose therapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation. Eligible patients will be randomly assigned to one of the two treatment arms in a 1:1 ratio, with stratification based on age, histologic morphology, and MIPI-C risk score. The study seeks to determine if the alternating regimen provides better outcomes than the standard treatment.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are elderly patients aged 60 years or older with newly diagnosed, untreated mantle cell lymphoma who are not eligible for high-dose therapy.

Not a fit: Patients with mantle cell lymphoma who are eligible for high-dose therapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could offer a more effective treatment option for elderly patients with mantle cell lymphoma, potentially improving their survival and quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with similar treatment regimens in this patient population, indicating potential for success.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. newly diagnosed, previously untreated, histologically confirmed CD20+ mantle cell lymphoma, confirmed by WHO classification criteria
2. age ≥70 years or 60-69 years if the patients are ineligible for high-dose therapy with autologous stem cell transplantation.
3. ECOG performance status 2 or less
4. Adequate organ functions

   * adequate heart function: LVEF ≥50% by echocardiography or MUGA
   * adequate renal function: serum creatinine ≤ 2.0mg/dL or CrCl ≥40 mL/min based on the Cockcroft-Gault method
   * adequate hepatic function: ≤2.5 times the upper limit of ALT (≤5 times the upper limit of ALT if the elevation is attributed by underlying lymphoma) and ≤2 times the upper limit of ALT (≤3 times the upper limit of total bilirubin if the elevation is attributed by underlying lymphoma)
   * adequate hematologic function: absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) ≥ 1,500/mL, platelet counts ≥ 100,000/mL (any ANC and platelet counts are allowed, if they were related to bone marrow involvement)
5. Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. In-situ mantle cell lymphoma
2. Ann Arbor stage 1 disease
3. Prior treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma or non-Hodgkin lymphoma within the last 5 years.
4. Active malignancy within the past 3 years except for localized non-melanoma skin cancer, papillary thyroid cancer, cervical carcinoma in situ, breast cancer in situ, or localized prostate cancer that has been definitely treated,
5. Central nervous system involvement
6. HBsAg (+) or anti-HBc Ab (+) (patients will be eligible if they receive appropriate prophylactic antiviral therapy using entecavir, tenofovir, and so on)
7. History of prior hepatitis C infection (patients positive for HCV IgG will be eligible if they are negative for HCV-RNA)
8. Known history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
9. any serious illness or medical conditions that are unstable or could jeopardize the safety of the patient and his/her compliance in the study

   * Congestive heart failure ≥ NYHA class 3
   * Acute coronary syndrome within 6 months (unstable angina or new-onset angina, myocardial infarct, or ventricular arrhythmia)
   * History of significant neurological or psychological disorder including dementia and seizure disorder
   * Severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with hypoxemia
   * Cerebrovascular disease including transient ischemic attack within the past 6 months
   * Non-healing wound, ulcer, or bone fracture
   * Active uncontrolled bacterial, viral, or fungal infection requiring systemic therapy
10. concomitant administration of any other experimental drugs under investigation
11. Known hypersensitivity to bendamustine, rituximab, cytarabine, or mannitol
12. major surgical procedure or significant trauma within 28 days before start of study treatment, open biopsy within 7 days before start of study treatment
13. If the patient's partner is a woman who could possibly get pregnant, men who didn't have a vasectomy must agree to use medically recommended methods for adequate contraception (tubal ligation, intrauterine devices, or barriers \[diaphragm, cervical cap\] in the patient's partner and the use of condoms in men) when sexually active.

Where this trial is running

Seoul, Gangnam-Gu

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.