Treatment for Mantle Cell Lymphoma using Ibrutinib and ASCT

Autologous Transplantation After a Rituximab/Ibrutinib/Ara-c Containing iNduction in Generalized Mantle Cell Lymphoma - a Randomized European Mcl Network Trial

Phase 3 Interventional European Mantle Cell Lymphoma Network · NCT02858258

This study is testing three different treatment plans for people with Mantle Cell Lymphoma to see which one helps them live longer without the cancer coming back.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment870 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorEuropean Mantle Cell Lymphoma Network Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsibrutinib, radiation, chemotherapy
Locations112 sites (Aalborg and 111 other locations)
Trial IDNCT02858258 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to compare three different treatment approaches for patients with generalized Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL). Participants will receive either R-CHOP/R-DHAP followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), or a combination of R-CHOP with ibrutinib followed by ASCT and maintenance therapy with ibrutinib. The primary goal is to determine which treatment regimen leads to the best failure-free survival rates. Secondary objectives include assessing overall survival and the safety profile of the treatments.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 to 65 with untreated, histologically confirmed Mantle Cell Lymphoma.

Not a fit: Patients with MCL who are not suitable for high-dose treatment or those with advanced age or significant comorbidities may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could establish a new standard of care for treating Mantle Cell Lymphoma, potentially improving patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with similar treatment approaches, particularly the use of ibrutinib in combination with chemotherapy for MCL.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

All patients must meet the following criteria:

* Histologically confirmed diagnosis of MCL according to WHO classification
* suitable for high-dose treatment including high-dose Ara-C
* Stage II-IV (Ann Arbor)
* Age ≥ 18 years and ≤ 65 years
* Previously untreated MCL
* At least 1 measurable lesion; in case of bone marrow infiltration only, bone marrow aspiration and biopsy is mandatory for all staging evaluations.
* ECOG/WHO performance status ≤ 2
* The following laboratory values at screening (unless related to MCL):

  * Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥1000 cells/µL
  * Platelets ≥100,000 cells/µL
  * Transaminases (AST and ALT) ≤3 x upper limit of normal (ULN)
  * Total bilirubin ≤2 x ULN unless due to known Morbus Meulengracht \[Gilbert-Meulengracht-Syndrome\])
  * Creatinine ≤2 mg/dL or calculated creatinine clearance ≥ 50 mL/min
* Written informed consent form according to ICH/EU GCP and national regulations
* Sexually active men and women of child-bearing potential must agree to use highly effective contraceptives (eg, condoms, implants, injectables, combined oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices, sexual abstinence, or sterilized partner) while on study; this should be maintained for 90 days after the last dose of study drug.

Exclusion Criteria:

Any potential subject who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participating in the study.

* Major surgery within 4 weeks prior to randomization.
* Requires anticoagulation with warfarin or equivalent vitamin K antagonists (eg phenprocoumon).
* History of stroke or intracranial hemorrhage within 6 months prior to randomization.
* Requires treatment with strong CYP3A4/5 inhibitors.
* Any life-threatening illness, medical condition, or organ system dysfunction which, in the investigator's opinion, could compromise the subject's safety, interfere with the absorption or metabolism of ibrutinib capsules, or put the study outcomes at undue risk.
* Vaccinated with live, attenuated vaccines within 4 weeks prior to randomization.
* Known CNS involvement of MCL
* Clinically significant hypersensitivity (eg, anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reactions to the compound of ibrutinib itself or to the excipients in its formulation)
* Known anti-murine antibody (HAMA) reactivity or known hypersensitivity to murine antibodies
* Previous lymphoma therapy with radiation, cytostatic drugs, anti-CD20 antibody or interferon except prephase therapy according to trial protocol
* Serious concomitant disease interfering with a regular therapy according to the study protocol:

  * Cardiac (Clinically significant cardiovascular disease such as uncontrolled or symptomatic arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, or myocardial infarction within 6 months of Screening, or any Class 3 (moderate) or Class 4 (severe) cardiac disease as defined by the New York Heart Association Functional Classification or LVEF below LLN )
  * Pulmonary (e.g. chronic lung disease with hypoxemia)
  * Endocrinological (e.g. severe, not sufficiently controlled diabetes mellitus)
  * Renal insufficiency (unless caused by the lymphoma): creatinine \> 2x normal value and/or creatinin clearance \< 50 ml/min)
  * Impairment of liver function (unless caused by the lymphoma): transaminases \> 3x normal or bilirubin \> 2,0 mg/dl unless due to morbus Meulengracht (Gilbert-Meulengracht-Syndrome)
* Patients with unresolved hepatitis B or C infection or known HIV positive infection (mandatory test)
* Prior organ, bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation
* Concomitant or previous malignancies within the last 3 years other than basal cell skin cancer or in situ uterine cervix cancer
* Pregnancy or lactation
* Any psychological, familiar, sociological, or geographical condition potentially hampering compliance with the study protocol and follow up schedule
* Subjects not able to give consent
* Subjects without legal capacity who are unable to understand the nature, scope, significance and consequences of this clinical trial
* Participation in another clinical trial within 30 days before randomization in this study.

Where this trial is running

Aalborg and 111 other locations

+62 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.
Conditions Mantle Cell LymphomaMCL
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.