Drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization for large recurrent or refractory DLBCL masses

Drug-Eluting Bead-Based Transarterial Chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) as a Local Salvage Therapy for Large Lesions in Relapsed and Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

This retrospective study will try drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) to shrink and control large recurrent or refractory DLBCL masses in adults.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 10 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 75 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Fujian Medical University (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: chemotherapy, immunotherapy, doxorubicin
• Locations: 1 site (Fuzhou, Fujian)
• Trial ID: NCT07198230 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This retrospective observational analysis reviews adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who received drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) for bulky lesions. Eligible lesions are ≥5 cm with imaging evidence of abundant blood supply and patients previously showed at least some response to doxorubicin-based therapy; laboratory and performance status limits are applied. The study extracts radiographic response, symptom relief, procedure-related complications, and survival outcomes from medical records with predefined follow-up intervals. Findings are intended to provide preliminary safety and efficacy data to support future larger multicenter prospective trials.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults (18–75) with pathologically confirmed relapsed or refractory DLBCL who have at least one bulky (≥5 cm) lesion with rich blood supply, ECOG ≤2, prior response to doxorubicin-based therapy, and adequate blood, liver, and kidney function.

Not a fit: Patients with diffuse non-bulky disease, lesions lacking a vascular supply suitable for arterial embolization, poor performance status, or significant organ dysfunction or coagulopathy are unlikely to benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, DEB-TACE could provide local tumor control and symptom relief for patients with large refractory DLBCL lesions while reducing exposure to further systemic chemotherapy.

How similar studies have performed: Transarterial chemoembolization and drug-eluting beads are established for certain solid tumors but application to lymphoma is limited to small or anecdotal reports, so this approach for DLBCL is largely novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* (1) Age 18 to 75 years; (2) Pathologically confirmed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL); (3) Recurrence or treatment resistance following multiple therapeutic regimens (e.g., chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy), with at least one clearly defined bulky lesion (maximum diameter ≥5 cm or imaging evidence of bulky lesion); (4) Imaging studies (CT, MRI, or PET-CT) confirm rich blood supply to the lesion, making it suitable for transarterial interventional therapy; (5) History of favorable response to doxorubicin-based agents during prior systemic therapy; (6) ECOG performance status ≤ 2; (7) Blood counts, hepatic and renal function, and coagulation parameters meet the following criteria:

  * Platelet count ≥ 30 × 10\^9/L;
  * Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN);
  * Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≤ 3 times the ULN;
  * Serum creatinine ≤ 2.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN);
  * Prothrombin time international normalized ratio (INR) ≤ 1.5. (8) The patient has previously undergone at least one DEB-TACE treatment at this institution.

Exclusion Criteria:

* (1) Patients with severe cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, or renal dysfunction, or other serious comorbidities rendering them unable to tolerate interventional therapy; (2) Patients with active or uncontrolled severe infections; (3) Patients with severe coagulation disorders or bleeding tendencies; (4) Pregnant or lactating women, or patients planning pregnancy during the study period; (5) Allergy or contraindications to drug-eluting microsphere materials or chemotherapy drugs; (6) Psychiatric disorders or cognitive impairment preventing treatment compliance and follow-up; (7) Other conditions deemed unsuitable for study participation by the investigator.

Where this trial is running

Fuzhou, Fujian

• The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University — Fuzhou, Fujian, China (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Xiaoquan ji

Conditions Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma; Relapsed and Refractory; Transarterial Chemoembolization