New treatment for relapsed follicular lymphoma
Official title: Relapsed Follicular Lymphoma Randomised Trial Against Standard ChemoTherapy (REFRACT): A Randomised Phase II Trial of Investigator Choice Standard Therapy Versus Sequential Novel Therapy Experimental Arms
Run by University of Birmingham · NCT05848765 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new treatment combining epcoritamab and lenalidomide for people with relapsed follicular lymphoma to see if it works better than the usual treatments.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 284 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Birmingham Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | rituximab, obinutuzumab, CAR-T, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, doxorubicin, epcoritamab |
| Locations | 25 sites (Aberdeen and 24 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 4, 2023 |
| Main results expected | May 31, 2029 |
| Study ends | November 30, 2031 |
| Registry record updated | May 5, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05848765 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and over with biopsy-proven relapsed or refractory CD20 positive follicular lymphoma requiring treatment.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with non-CD20 positive follicular lymphoma or those who have not received prior immunochemotherapy 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
The REFRACT clinical trial aims to evaluate new therapies for patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma by comparing an experimental treatment, epcoritamab combined with lenalidomide, against standard treatment options chosen by the physician. Patients will be randomly assigned to receive either the experimental treatment or one of five standard therapies over three treatment rounds. The study will recruit 284 patients over five years, assessing the effectiveness of the new treatment compared to existing options.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this trial could provide a more effective treatment option for patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promise with similar approaches, but this specific combination of treatments is being evaluated for the first time.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Biopsy proven relapsed or refractory CD20 positive, grade 1-3a follicular lymphoma (biopsy within 3 months of trial entry) 2. Aged 18 years or over 3. Advanced disease that in the opinion of the treating physician requires treatment 4. Patient suitable for standard available therapy at the Investigator's discretion 5. Prior therapy with at least one line of immunochemotherapy. Previous radiotherapy at any time is permitted and will not count as a line of therapy. Previous rituximab monotherapy is also permitted as long as patients have at any time also received at least one line of immunochemotherapy 6. Assessable disease by PET-CT (at least one involved node with long diameter \>1.5cm, or extranodal lesion \>1cm ) 7. ECOG performance status of 0, 1 or 2 at trial entry 8. Adequate organ function defined as; i. ANC ≥ 1.0 x 109/L (growth factor use is permitted) ii. Platelet count ≥ 75 x 109/L, or ≥ 50 x 109/L if bone marrow infiltration or splenomegaly iii. ALT and AST level ≤3 x ULN iv. Direct bilirubin level ≤ 2 x ULN, unless due to Gilbert's syndrome v. CrCl ≥ 50mL/min (by Cockcroft-Gault formula) vi. PT, INR and aPTT ≤ 1.5 x ULN, unless receiving anticoagulation vii. LVEF within normal limits by MUGA or echocardiography 9. Able to provide written informed consent 10. Women of childbearing potential (or their partners) must use an effective form of contraception Exclusion Criteria: 1. Current (or within 1 year) transformation to high grade lymphoma, including grade 3b follicular lymphoma (patients with historical high-grade transformation over 1 year ago are eligible) 2. Non-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) avid disease 3. Prior allogenic stem cell transplantation (SCT) or solid organ transplant 4. Prior treatment with lenalidomide 5. Treatment with CAR-T therapy within 100 days of starting trial treatment 6. SCT or maintenance therapy planned within 24 weeks of starting treatment (patients planning SCT/maintenance after at least 24 weeks of treatment are eligible) 7. Immunochemotherapy with a platinum-containing regimen planned 8. Known serological positivity for HIV or uncontrolled HCV 9. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive and/or detectable viral DNA. Patients positive for Hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) but viral DNA negative are eligible 10. Other malignancy within 2 years of enrolment, excepting cervical carcinoma stage 1B or less, non-invasive basal cell or squamous cell skin carcinoma, non-invasive, superficial bladder cancer, prostate cancer with a current PSA level \<0.1ng/mL, any curable cancer with a CR of \> 2 years duration 11. Active systemic infection requiring treatment 12. Current or prior CNS involvement with lymphoma 13. History of allergy or anaphylaxis to anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody therapy 14. Known hypersensitivity to any of the experimental arm IMPs. Patients with a known hypersensitivity to a control arm regimen may still be eligible if they have no hypersensitivity to other potential control arm IMPs. 15. Serious medical or psychiatric illness likely to interfere with participation in this clinical study 16. Recent cancer treatment (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy) within 4 weeks of starting trial treatment; systemic steroid treatment (prednisolone \> 10mg daily (or equivalent)) within 7 days of cycle 1 day 1 dosing 17. Unwilling to use appropriate contraception methods whilst on study treatment and for 12 months following end of treatment (or 18 months for female patients whose ICT regimen contains obinutuzumab) 18. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding 19. Prior treatment with the experimental therapy under investigation 20. Major surgery within 30 days of starting treatment 21. Severe arrhythmias, heart failure, previous myocardial infarction, acute inflammatory heart disease for ICT regimen containing doxorubicin, or severe heart failure (New York Heart Association Class IV) or severe, uncontrolled cardiac disease for ICT regimen containing rituximab
Where it's running
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The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
Manchester, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Nottingham, United Kingdom Recruiting -
NHS Grampian
Aberdeen, United Kingdom Not yet recruiting -
Belfast Health & Social Care Trust
Belfast, United Kingdom Not yet recruiting -
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Birmingham, United Kingdom Not yet recruiting -
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Blackpool, United Kingdom Not yet recruiting
Show 19 more locations
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Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Cambridge, United Kingdom Not yet recruiting -
Cardiff and vale University LHB
Cardiff, United Kingdom Not yet recruiting -
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
Coventry, United Kingdom Not yet recruiting -
Croydon Health Services NHS Trust
Croydon, United Kingdom Not yet recruiting -
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Glasgow, United Kingdom Not yet recruiting -
The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Leeds, United Kingdom Not yet recruiting -
The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust
Liverpool, United Kingdom Not yet recruiting -
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
London, United Kingdom Not yet recruiting -
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
London, United Kingdom Not yet recruiting -
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
London, United Kingdom Not yet recruiting -
University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
London, United Kingdom Not yet recruiting -
The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Newcastle, United Kingdom Not yet recruiting -
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Norwich, United Kingdom Not yet recruiting -
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Oxford, United Kingdom Not yet recruiting -
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Sheffield, United Kingdom Not yet recruiting -
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Southampton, United Kingdom Not yet recruiting -
University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust
Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom Not yet recruiting -
Swansea Bay University Local Health Board
Swansea, United Kingdom Not yet recruiting -
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Torquay, United Kingdom Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Trial Coordinator
- Email: refract@trials.bham.ac.uk
- Phone: 0121 371 7861
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Pirtobrutinib plus Mosunetuzumab for relapsed or refractory grade 1–3a follicular lymphoma
This trial tests whether giving pirtobrutinib together with mosunetuzumab can better treat adults with relapsed or refractory grade 1–3a follicular lymphoma.
-
Q702 to treat blood cancers
This Phase 1 trial will test whether the oral drug Q702 is safe, tolerable, and what dose works best for adults with certain blood cancers who have failed or are not eligible for standard treatments.
-
Treatment using modified T-cells for relapsed or refractory B-cell cancers
This study is testing a new treatment that uses specially modified T-cells to see if it can help people with hard-to-treat B-cell cancers.
-
Combining brentuximab vedotin and bendamustine for treating relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma
This study is testing if combining two drugs, brentuximab vedotin and bendamustine, can help people with relapsed or hard-to-treat follicular lymphoma feel better and improve their chances of recovery.
-
Donor stem cell transplant with chemotherapy and radiation for blood cancers
This study is testing if a donor stem cell transplant combined with different doses of chemotherapy and radiation can help people with blood cancers recover better.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.