Comparing ZR2 and R-miniCHOP for treating elderly patients with lymphoma

The Efficacy and Safety of Zanubrutinib, Rituximab and Lenalidomide (ZR2) Versus Rituximab Combined With Low-dose CHOP (R-miniCHOP) in the Treatment of Unfit or Frail de Novo Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma Patients Aged Older Than or Equal to 70 Years: A Multicenter, Prospective, Randomized, Open-label, Controlled Trial

Phase 3 Interventional Ruijin Hospital · NCT05179733

This study is testing whether a new combination treatment for lymphoma works better than a standard treatment in older patients who are not strong enough for more aggressive therapies.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment280 (estimated)
Ages70 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorRuijin Hospital Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsrituximab, zanubrutinib, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, prednisone
Locations1 site (Shanghai, Shanghai)
Trial IDNCT05179733 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the efficacy and safety of a treatment regimen combining zanubrutinib, rituximab, and lenalidomide (ZR2) against a standard regimen of rituximab with low-dose CHOP (R-miniCHOP) in elderly patients aged 70 and older who are unfit or frail. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups and will receive their respective therapies over six cycles. The study aims to determine which treatment is more effective for this vulnerable population suffering from diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are patients aged 70 years and older with histologically-confirmed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who are classified as unfit or frail.

Not a fit: Patients with central nervous system involvement or those who have previously received anti-lymphoma drugs may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a more effective treatment option for elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who are unfit for standard therapies.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have explored treatments for elderly lymphoma patients, but this specific combination of therapies is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria

Patients must satisfy all of the following criteria to be enrolled in the study:

* Histologically-confirmed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (without central nervous system involvement)
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-3
* Aged ≥ 80 years old or aged 70-79 with comprehensive geriatric assessment stratified as unfit or frail
* International normalized ratio and activated partial thromboplastin time are both 1.5 times lower than the upper limits of normal (ULN).
* At least 1 measurable site of disease (defined as lymph nodes with the long diameters longer than 1.5cm, or extra-nodal sites with the long diameters longer than 1.0cm; meanwhile, any lesion site with at least 2 measurable vertical diameters)
* Life expectancy of at least 3 months determined by researchers
* The patient or his or her legal representative must provide written informed consent prior to any special examination or procedure for the research.
* Anti-lymphoma drugs have not been used before (except glucocorticoids).

Exclusion criteria

Presence of any of the following criteria will exclude a patient from enrollment:

* Uncontrolled cardio- and cerebro-vascular disease, blood clotting disorders, connective tissue diseases, serious infectious diseases and other diseases
* Laboratory measures meet the following criteria at screening (unless caused by lymphoma):

  1. Neutrophils\<1.5×10\^9/L
  2. Platelets\<80×10\^9/L (Platelets\<50×10\^9/L in case of bone marrow involvement)
  3. ALT or AST is 2 times higher than the upper limits of normal (ULN), AKP and bilirubin are 1.5 times higher than the ULN.
  4. Creatinine is 1.5 times higher than the ULN or eGFR is lower than 40ml/min/1.73m\^2 (according to Cockcroft-Gault Equation or MDRD Equation).
* HIV-infected patients
* Left ventricular ejection fraction\<50%
* Patients with HbsAg positive are required to have HBV DNA\<1.0×10\^3 IU/ml before entering the group. In addition, if the patient is HBsAg negative but HBcAb positive (regardless of HBsAb status), HBV DNA test is also required, and HBV DNA\<1.0×10\^3 IU/ml is required before entering the group.
* Other anti-tumor treatments (lymphoma or other types of tumors) are currently in progress.
* Patients with psychiatric disorders or patients who are known or suspected to be unable to fully comply with the study protocol
* Require treatment with strong/moderate CYP3A inhibitors or inducers.
* History of stroke or intracranial hemorrhage within 6 months prior to start of therapy
* Inability to swallow capsules or presence of diseases that significantly affect gastrointestinal function, such as malabsorption syndrome, post-bariatric surgery, inflammatory bowel disease and complete or incomplete intestinal obstruction
* Other medical conditions determined by the researchers that may affect the study

Where this trial is running

Shanghai, Shanghai

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.
Conditions Diffuse Large B-Cell LymphomaElderly patientsZanubrutinibLenalidomideRituximabR-miniCHOP
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.