Dr Phillips on Ongoing Research in High-Risk MCL

Tycel Phillips, MD, MPH, associate clinical professor, Division of Lymphoma, Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, discusses ongoing and planned research investigating treatment with BTK inhibitors and bispecific antibodies in patients with high-risk mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). 

The ongoing phase 2 BOVen trial (NCT04463025) has the potential to impact the treatment of patients with TP53-mutated MCL. This trial is evaluating the efficacy and safety of zanubrutinib (Brukinsa) in combination with venetoclax (Venclexta) and obinutuzumab (Gazyva) as a frontline therapy, Phillips begins. Initial data presented at the 2023 ASH Annual Meeting indicate favorable response rates and 2-year progression-free survival with the investigational therapy compared with historical data of chemoimmunotherapy, suggesting potential benefits for this patients population.

At the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and City of Hope, studies are also underway to assess novel treatments for high-risk patients, Phillips explains. MD Anderson's study explores CAR T-cell therapy in the frontline setting, while City of Hope is investigating the bispecific antibody glofitamab-gxbm (Columvi). These trials aim to improve patient outcomes and quality of life, he reports.

Additionally, the ongoing phase 3 BRUIN-MCL-321 trial (NCT04662255) is comparing pirtobrutinib (Jaypirca) with standard covalent BTK inhibitors in previously treated patients with MCL who have not received prior BTK inhibitor therapy Phillips elucidates. This study will determine whether pirtobrutinib offers superior efficacy in this patient population.

Research with bispecific antibodies in MCL is highly anticipated, as advancements have been lagging behind those of other lymphomas, such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma, he states. Investigators hope that research with bispecific antibodies will elicit comparable responses to that of CAR T-cell therapy, thereby allowing patients to obtain effective off-the-shelf treatments, Phillips expands.

Overall, ongoing research efforts are focused on identifying effective and well-tolerated treatments for patients with high-risk profiles and previously treated MCL, he notes. These studies aim to advance therapeutic options, potentially offering more convenient and impactful treatments for patients in need, Phillips concludes.