Clinical trial No longer in our active list Phase 3 Interventional Ages 18 and up

Comparing two treatments for untreated Splenic Marginal Zone Lymphoma

Official title: Phase 3, Interventional, Multicentre, Open-label, Randomized Study Comparing Rituximab Plus Zanubrutinib to Rituximab Monotherapy in Previously Untreated, Symptomatic Splenic Marginal Zone Lymphoma (RITZ)

Run by International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group (IELSG) · NCT05735834 · Data updated 2026-05-14

This study is no longer in our active list. It may have stopped recruiting or finished. The details below are as of 2026-05-14 and are kept for reference. Check ClinicalTrials.gov for its current status, or see similar studies below.

This study is testing whether a combination of two drugs, rituximab and zanubrutinib, works better than just rituximab alone for people with untreated Splenic Marginal Zone Lymphoma.

More Marginal Zone Lymphoma trials

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment120 (estimated)
SponsorInternational Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group (IELSG)
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsprednisone, rituximab, zanubrutinib
Locations55 sites (Vienna and 54 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05735834 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 and older with a confirmed diagnosis of untreated Splenic Marginal Zone Lymphoma.

Probably not a fit

Patients with prior treatments for SMZL or those with certain genetic mutations may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of a combination therapy using rituximab and zanubrutinib compared to rituximab alone in patients with untreated Splenic Marginal Zone Lymphoma (SMZL). Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups for a maximum of two years, followed by a three-year follow-up period. The study will assess progression-free survival and monitor any adverse effects associated with the treatments. Approximately 120 subjects will be enrolled in this multicenter, open-label Phase III trial.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a more effective treatment option for patients with untreated SMZL, potentially improving their progression-free survival.

How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promising results with combination therapies in similar conditions, indicating potential for success in this approach.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Ability to understand and willingness to sign a written informed consent in accordance with ICH/GCP regulations before registration and prior to any trial-specific procedures.
* Confirmed diagnosis of SMZL, including Matutes immunophenotype score \<3. Evaluation of the following features is desirable: absence of CD103 expression by flow cytometry, absence of Cyclin D1, BCL6, and CD10 expression by immunohistochemistry, and absence of the MYD88 L265P mutation. Patients with prominent splenomegaly and involvement of the splenic hilar and/or extra hilar lymph nodes are eligible
* Previously untreated disease. Patients with prior hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who underwent HCV eradication and have persistent SMZL after 3 months post-eradication can be included.
* Treatment needs according to the ESMO guideline criteria
* Measurable lesions
* Age ≥ 18 years.
* European Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0, 1, or 2.
* Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1.0 x 109/L, platelet count ≥ 50 x 109/L, Hb \> 7.5 g/dl. Values below such thresholds are allowed if attributable to the underlying lymphoma. Transfusions are allowed if clinically indicated during screening.
* Adequate hepatic and renal function and coagulation parameters
* Patient able and willing to swallow trial drugs as whole tablet/capsule

Exclusion Criteria:

* Previous splenectomy.
* Any systemic therapy for SMZL.
* Patients with central nervous system (CNS) involvement.
* Prior malignancy (other than the disease under study) within the past 2 years, except for curatively treated basal or squamous skin cancer, superficial bladder cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix or breast, or localized Gleason score ≤ 6 prostate cancer.
* Clinically significant cardiovascular disease
* History of cerebrovascular accident or intracranial hemorrhage within 6 months before registration and known bleeding disorders (eg, von Willebrand's disease or hemophilia).
* History of confirmed progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).
* Concomitant diseases that require anticoagulant therapy with warfarin or phenprocoumon or other vitamin K antagonists and patients treated with dual anti-platelet therapy. Patients being treated with factor Xa inhibitors (eg, rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban), direct thrombin inhibitors (e. dabigatran) low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), or single anti-platelet agents (eg. aspirin, clopidogrel) can be included but must be properly informed about the potential risk of bleeding.
* Malabsorption syndrome or other condition that precludes the enteral route of administration.
* Any uncontrolled active systemic infection requiring intravenous antimicrobial treatment.
* Known human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
* Active COronaVIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19) infection or non-compliance with the prevailing hygiene measures regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
* Active chronic hepatitis C or hepatitis B virus infection
* Active, uncontrolled autoimmune phenomenon (autoimmune hemolytic anemia or immune. thrombocytopenia) requiring steroid therapy with \> 20 mg daily of prednisone dose or equivalent.
* Known hypersensitivity to trial drugs or any component of the trial drugs.
* Concomitant treatment with strong CYP3A inducers or inhibitors
* Other severe acute or chronic medical or psychiatric condition or laboratory abnormality that in the opinion of the investigator may increase the risk associated with trial participation or investigational product administration or may interfere with the interpretation of trial results and/or would make the patient inappropriate for enrolment into this trial.
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
* Concurrent participation in another therapeutic clinical trial.

Where it's running

  • Medical University of Vienna
    Vienna, Austria
    Recruiting
  • Institut Bergonié
    Bordeaux, France
    Recruiting
  • CHU de Grenoble
    Grenoble, France
    Recruiting
  • Hôpital Saint Louis
    Paris, France
    Recruiting
  • Hôpital Lyon-Sud
    Pierre-Bénite, France
    Recruiting
  • CHRU Nancy Brabois
    Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
    Recruiting
Show 44 more locations
  • IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II
    Bari, Italy
    Recruiting
  • IRCCS AOU di Bologna
    Bologna, Italy
    Recruiting
  • ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia
    Brescia, Italy
    Recruiting
  • A.O.U. Policlinico G. Rodolico-S. Marco
    Catania, Italy
    Recruiting
  • IRCCS IRST Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori "Dino Amadori"
    Meldola, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico
    Milan, Italy
    Recruiting
  • IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele
    Milan, Italy
    Recruiting
  • ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda
    Milan, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Maggiore della Carità
    Novara, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Azienda Ospedaliera Ospedali Riuniti Villa Sofia Cervello
    Palermo, Italy
    Recruiting
  • IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo
    Pavia, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Ospedale Santa Maria delle Croci
    Ravenna, Italy
    Recruiting
  • USL-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova
    Reggio Emilia, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi - ASST dei Sette Laghi
    Varese, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Oslo University Hospital
    Oslo, Norway
    Recruiting
  • Hospedal Clinic de Barcelona
    Barcelona, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital del Mar
    Barcelona, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Istitut Català d'Oncologia, Hospital Duran i Reynals
    Barcelona, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Universitario Cruces
    Bilbao, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Virgen Arrixaca
    El Palmar, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Clinica Universidad de Navarra
    Madrid, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital 12 De Octubre
    Madrid, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Gregorio Marañón
    Madrid, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Ramon y Cajal
    Madrid, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Clinica Universidad de Navarra
    Pamplona, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital De Salamanca
    Salamanca, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital De Donostia
    San Sebastián, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Clinico De Valencia
    Valencia, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet
    Zaragoza, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland
    Bellinzona, Switzerland
    Recruiting
  • INSELSPITAL, Bern University Hospital
    Bern, Switzerland
    Recruiting
  • University Hospitals Dorset
    Bournemouth, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre
    Glasgow, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Leicester Royal Infirmary
    Leicester, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • University College London Hospitals
    London, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Guy's Hospital - Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
    London, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • The Christie
    Manchester, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Churchill Hospital
    Oxford, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Derriford Hospital
    Plymouth, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Aarhus University Hospital
    Aarhus, Denmark
    Not yet recruiting
  • Policlinico Santa Maria alle Scotte
    Siena, Italy
    Not yet recruiting
  • St Olavs Hospital
    Trondheim, Norway
    Not yet recruiting
  • Hospital Vall d'Hebron
    Barcelona, Spain
    Not yet recruiting
  • Karolinska University Hospital
    Stockholm, Sweden
    Not yet recruiting

+5 more sites. See ClinicalTrials.gov for the full list.

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-15 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.