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Comparing two treatments for a type of blood cancer called DLBCL

A Randomized, Open-label, Multicenter, Phase 2 Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Zilovertamab Vedotin (MK-2140) Plus R-CHP Versus Polatuzumab Vedotin Plus R-CHP in Treatment-naïve Participants With GCB Subtype of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)

Phase 2 Interventional Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC · NCT06890884

This study is testing whether a new combination of treatments can help people with a specific type of blood cancer feel better compared to the standard treatment.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment594 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorMerck Sharp & Dohme LLC Industry-sponsored
Drugs / interventionszilovertamab, polatuzumab
Locations123 sites (Mobile, Alabama and 122 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06890884 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of zilovertamab vedotin combined with R-CHP against polatuzumab vedotin with R-CHP in patients diagnosed with germinal center B-cell-like diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (GCB DLBCL). The study will assess the response rate of these treatments in patients whose cancer is PET positive. Participants must have a confirmed diagnosis of GCB DLBCL and have not received prior treatment for their condition. The trial is designed to determine if the new combination therapy leads to better outcomes compared to the standard treatment.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals with newly diagnosed GCB DLBCL who have not undergone any prior treatment.

Not a fit: Patients with other subtypes of DLBCL or those who have received prior treatment for their condition may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a more effective treatment option for patients with GCB DLBCL.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using targeted therapies for DLBCL, but this specific combination is being evaluated for the first time.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

The main inclusion criteria include but are not limited to the following:

* Has histologically confirmed diagnosis of germinal center B-cell (GCB) subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), by prior biopsy, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of neoplasms of the hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues.
* Has positron emission tomography (PET) positive disease at screening, defined as 4 to 5 on the Lugano 5-point scale.
* Has received no prior treatment for their DLBCL.
* Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected participants must have well controlled HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART).
* Participants who are hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive are eligible if they have received hepatitis B virus (HBV) antiviral therapy and have undetectable HBV viral load prior to randomization.
* Participants with history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are eligible if HCV viral load is undetectable at screening.

Exclusion Criteria:

The main exclusion criteria include but are not limited to the following:

* Has a history of transformation of indolent disease to DLBCL.
* Has received a diagnosis of primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) or Grey zone lymphoma.
* Has Ann Arbor Stage I DLBCL.
* Has clinically significant (i.e., active) cardiovascular disease: cerebral vascular accident/stroke (\<6 months prior to enrollment), myocardial infarction (\<6 months prior to enrollment), unstable angina, congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association Classification Class ≥II), or serious cardiac arrhythmia requiring medication.
* Has clinically significant pericardial or pleural effusion.
* Has ongoing Grade \>1 peripheral neuropathy.
* Has a demyelinating form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
* HIV-infected participants with a history of Kaposi's sarcoma and/or Multicentric Castleman's Disease.
* Has ongoing corticosteroid therapy.
* Known additional malignancy that is progressing or has required active treatment within the past 2 years.
* Known active central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma.
* Has active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the past 2 years.
* Has active infection requiring systemic therapy.
* Has active HBV (defined as HBsAg positive and detectable HBV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)) and HCV (defined as anti-HCV antibody positive and detectable HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA)) infection.
* Has history of stem cell/solid organ transplant.

Where this trial is running

Mobile, Alabama and 122 other locations

+73 more sites — see ClinicalTrials.gov for the full list.

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 → Find more trials like this →
Conditions Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.