Using ultra-low dose radiation to treat marginal zone lymphoma

A Phase II Study of Response Adapted Ultra Low Dose 4 Gy Radiation for Definitive Therapy of Marginal Zone Lymphoma

This study is testing if a lower dose of radiation can effectively treat people with marginal zone lymphoma and if their response can help guide further treatment.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 50 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: radiation
• Locations: 1 site (Houston, Texas)
• Trial ID: NCT05929612 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of response-adapted ultra-low dose radiation therapy (4 Gy) for patients with marginal zone lymphoma (MZL). Participants will initially receive a lower dose of radiation, and based on their response, may receive additional doses up to 12 Gy. The study aims to assess overall response rates, distant recurrence, and in-field relapse rates at 24 months, as well as overall survival. Additionally, it explores the potential of microbiome assessments to predict treatment responses and includes optional co-enrollment for biomarker collection.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with stage I-II marginal zone lymphoma who are not planned for systemic therapy before follow-up evaluations.

Not a fit: Patients with other types of low-grade lymphomas or those who have received prior systemic therapy may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a less toxic treatment option for patients with marginal zone lymphoma while maintaining efficacy.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of ultra-low dose radiation for MZL is novel, similar strategies in other lymphoma types have shown promise in previous studies.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients 18 years or older. Because no RT dosing data are currently available on the use of response adapted ultra low dose RT in patients \<18 years of age, children are excluded from this study.
* Patients with stage I-II marginal zone lymphoma. Patients with a pathology report consistent with low grade B cell lymphoma, favor marginal zone lymphoma, are included. Other low grade lymphomas including follicular grade I/II and chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) are ineligible.
* Patients should not be planned for any systemic therapy before the first follow up evaluation after radiation (intent is to treat with radiation therapy alone).
* Patients with biopsy-proven disease treated with another modality (such as systemic therapy) prior to radiation must have clinical or radiographic evidence of residual disease before enrollment. Patients with clinical and/or radiographic masses that are measurable will have dimensions noted prior to therapy. If an excisional biopsy is performed, patients should have clinically or radiographically apparent disease after biopsy (this does not apply to gastric MALT lymphoma patients).
* Prior systemic therapy is allowed, as long as administration is prior to most recent disease assessment by imaging, clinical exam, or endoscopy. There are no limits on the nature or amount of prior systemic therapy.
* Prior antibiotics intended to treat marginal zone lymphoma are allowed, as long as administration is prior to most recent disease assessment by imaging, clinical exam, or endoscopy.
* Prior topical therapies (e.g. steroid) intended to treat cutaneous lymphoma are allowed, as long as administration is prior to most recent disease assessment by imaging, clinical exam, or endoscopy.
* For patients with gastric MALT lymphoma, H. pylori testing by immunohistochemistry on tissue biopsy is required on most recent pathologic specimen prior to protocol enrollment. Secondary testing for H. pylori with stool and/or urea breath tests and/or serum antigen is strongly recommended. Testing for the MALT1 translocation (t11:18) is strongly recommended if tissue for testing is available.
* Female patients with childbearing potential must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test (βhCG) within 1 week of RT administration or have a documented pregnancy test refusal.
* The effects of RT on the developing human fetus are harmful. For this reason and because RT used in this trial is known to be teratogenic, women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry and for the duration of RT administration. (Refer to Pregnancy Assessment Policy MD Anderson Institutional Policy # CLN1114). This includes all female patients, between the onset of menses (as early as 8 years of age) and 55 years unless the patient presents with an applicable exclusionary factor which may be one of the following:

  * Postmenopausal (no menses in greater than or equal to 12 consecutive months).
  * History of hysterectomy or bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.
  * Ovarian failure (Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Estradiol in menopausal range, who have received Whole Pelvic Radiation Therapy).
  * History of bilateral tubal ligation or another surgical sterilization procedure.
* Approved methods of birth control are as follows: Hormonal contraception (i.e. birth control pills, injection, implant, transdermal patch, vaginal ring), Intrauterine device (IUD), Tubal Ligation or hysterectomy, Subject/Partner post vasectomy, Implantable or injectable contraceptives, and condoms plus spermicide. Not engaging in sexual activity for the total duration of the trial and the drug washout period is an acceptable practice; however periodic abstinence, the rhythm method, and the withdrawal method are not acceptable methods of birth control. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while she or her partner is participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately.
* Men treated or enrolled on this protocol must also agree to use adequate contraception prior to the study, for the duration of RT administration, and 4 months after completion of RT administration.
* Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.
* Patients with bulky tumors (\>7.5 cm) are allowed.
* Patients with a prior or concurrent malignancy whose natural history or treatment does not have the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational regimen are eligible for this trial

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.
* Pregnant women are excluded from this study because RT is an agent with the potential for teratogenic or abortifacient effects.
* Patients with other lymphoma diagnoses other than marginal zone lymphoma.
* Patients with a history of radiation to the treated site, if re-treatment would exceed known gastric or surrounding critical structure (e.g., bowel, spinal cord) tolerance.
* Patients with active scleroderma under treatment are ineligible as prior studies have shown excessive toxicity in scleroderma patients treated with RT.

Where this trial is running

Houston, Texas

• MD Anderson Cancer Center — Houston, Texas, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Jillian Gunther, MD — M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
• Study coordinator: Jillian Gunther, MD

Conditions Lymphoma