Tucidinostat plus CHOP for newly diagnosed peripheral T‑cell lymphoma with T‑follicular helper phenotype

A Phase III, Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Multicenter Study of Tucidinostat in Combination With CHOP in Newly Diagnosed Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma With Follicular Helper of T Cell Phenotype (SWIFT 02)

This trial tests whether adding tucidinostat to standard CHOP chemotherapy helps adults newly diagnosed with peripheral T‑cell lymphoma of the T‑follicular helper phenotype.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 3
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 224 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 80 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Chipscreen Biosciences, Ltd. (Industry-sponsored)
• Drugs / interventions: prednisone
• Locations: 1 site (Guangzhou, Guangdong)
• Trial ID: NCT06947967 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a randomized, double‑blind, multicenter Phase 3 trial in which participants are assigned 1:1 to receive tucidinostat or placebo together with CHOP chemotherapy. Eligible adults (18–80 years) must have histologically confirmed PTCL with TFH phenotype, measurable disease, ECOG performance status 0–2, and adequate laboratory values. The study compares efficacy and safety outcomes between the two arms, including response rates and disease control measures, with scheduled imaging and clinical follow‑up. The lead site is Sun Yat‑sen University Cancer Center in Guangzhou, China, with additional participating centers planned.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–80 with histologically proven peripheral T‑cell lymphoma of the T‑follicular helper phenotype, measurable disease, ECOG 0–2, and adequate organ function are the intended candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with non‑TFH PTCL subtypes, prior systemic therapy for PTCL, significant organ dysfunction, or ECOG >2 are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit from this trial.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, adding tucidinostat could increase response rates and extend disease control compared with CHOP alone.

How similar studies have performed: Other histone deacetylase inhibitors have shown activity in T‑cell lymphomas and early studies of tucidinostat indicated promising signals, but phase III confirmation for this specific combination is limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Provide written informed consent for the study.
2. Male or female, age ≥ 18 years and ≤80 years.
3. ECOG PS 0,1 or 2.
4. Participants with histologically proven peripheral T-cell lymphoma with T-follicular helper phenotype (PTCL-TFH), including: a. angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, b. follicular helper T-cell lymphoma, follicular type, c. follicular helper T-cell lymphoma, NOS.
5. At least one measurable disease according to the Lugano 2014 Classification.
6. Laboratory criteria are as follows except that caused by lymphoma assessed by the investigator (without receiving any supportive treatment for the following parameters within 2 weeks from the last dose prior to study entry):

(1)Hematology values:Hemoglobin (Hb)≥90g/L,Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥1.5×10 9/L, platelets ≥90×10 9/L (2)Biochemical values: Serum creatinine ≤1.5×upper limit of normal(ULN),Total bilirubin ≤1.5 × ULN, Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≤2.5×ULN(ALT, AST≦5×ULN if liver involved).

7.Expected survival≥6 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Presence of CNS involvement.
2. Received prior therapies targeting lymphoma.
3. Participants planned for autologous or allogeneic transplant as consolidation after CR.
4. Participants with any other malignancy in past 5 years, except for local tumors that have been cured.
5. Prior treatment with cytotoxic drugs for another condition (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis).
6. Any investigational therapy within 3 months.
7. Contraindication to any of the individual components of CHOP.
8. Corticosteroid use \> 30 mg/day of prednisone or equivalent, for purposes other than lymphoma symptom control, and the following conditions for inclusion must be met, a. participants receiving corticosteroid treatment with ≤ 30 mg/day of prednisone or equivalent must be documented to be on a stable dose of at least 4 weeks' duration prior to randomization, b. If glucocorticoid treatment is urgently required for lymphoma symptom control prior to the start of study treatment, prednisone 100 mg or equivalent could be given for a maximum of 7 days, but all tumor assessments must be completed prior to start of glucocorticoid treatment.
9. Ongoing serious central nervous system disease or peripheral neuropathy, such as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.
10. Have uncontrolled or significant cardiovascular disease, including a. Grade Ⅱ or higher Congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, myocardial infarction (New York Heart Association Functional Classification ) within 6 months prior to study entry; or arrhythmia requiring treatment, or Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) \< 50% during screening stage b.Primary cardiomyopathy (dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyocyte, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy, et,al) c.History of significant QT interval prolongation, or Corrected QT Interval QTc≥450ms(male), QTc≥470ms（female）at screening d.Symptomatic coronary heart disease requiring treatment e.Any other cardiovascular disease which is inappropriate for the study according to investigators' judgment.
11. History of interstitial lung disease(ILD), or with ongoing signs and symptoms by CT or MRI at the time of screening.
12. Participants with factors that could affect oral medication (such as dysphagia, chronic diarrhea, intestinal obstruction etc), or undergone gastrectomy.
13. History of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
14. History of active bleeding within 2 months prior to the start of Cycle 1;or participants receiving anticoagulation therapy; or participants with evidence of bleeding potential according to investigators' judgment ( esophageal varices, active ulcer, or fecal occult blood test positive etc. ). participants with bleeding led by lymphoma according to investigators' judgment are eligible.
15. Major surgical procedures (craniotomy, thoracotomy, or laparotomy) or severe unhealed wounds, ulcers, or fractures were performed within 4 weeks. Tissue biopsy or other minor surgical procedure (other than venipuncture for intravenous fluids) within 7 days.
16. Active infection requiring systemic treatment (oral, intravenous infusion) was present within 2 weeks prior to the first dose. Participants receiving prophylactic antibiotic therapy (e.g., interstitial pneumonia) may be enrolled.
17. HBsAg or HBcAb positive with virus replication (except for virus replication positive that non-active hepatitis B assessed by investigators), HCV-Ab positive with virus replication positive, active syphilis infection (positive for syphilitic-specific and non-specific antibodies).
18. History of HIV infection, or other acquired or congenital immunodeficiency diseases, or history of organ transplantation or stem cell transplantation.
19. Any mental or cognitive disorder, that would impair the ability to understand the informed consent document, or limit compliance with study requirements/ treatment.
20. Drug or alcohol abuse.
21. Women patients of childbearing potential who are unwilling or unable to use an effective method of contraception throughout the treatment period of this trial and for 12 weeks after the last dose of tucidinostat/placebo or CHOP, whichever is the latest, or the spouses of male participants.
22. Any other condition which is inappropriate for the study according to investigators' judgment.

Where this trial is running

Guangzhou, Guangdong

• Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center — Guangzhou, Guangdong, China (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Qingqing Cai — Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center
• Study coordinator: Xinhao Wang

Conditions Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral