Radiotherapy-Immunotherapy Combination Shows Promise in Treating Follicular Lymphoma and Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Strategic Insights -

A recent study published in Blood Advances has shed light on the potential of a radiotherapy-immunotherapy combination in treating follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Researchers from the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute conducted a phase 1 trial, examining the safety and efficacy of escalating radiation doses and durvalumab treatment in patients with relapsed or refractory lymphomas.

According to the study, patients received external-beam radiation therapy (2.5-30 Gray, 5 or 10 fractions up to 3 target sites) plus durvalumab, a programmed cell death 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor, starting on radiation day 2. The researchers observed an overall response rate of 60% in follicular lymphoma patients, with 40% achieving a complete response. In patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, the overall response rate was 14%, with 7% achieving a complete response.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study examined the safety and efficacy of a radiotherapy-immunotherapy combination in patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
  • Patients received external-beam radiation therapy (2.5-30 Gray, 5 or 10 fractions up to 3 target sites) plus durvalumab, a programmed cell death 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor.
  • The overall response rate was 60% in follicular lymphoma patients, with 40% achieving a complete response.
  • In patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, the overall response rate was 14%, with 7% achieving a complete response.
  • The most common grade 3 to 4 toxicities included anemia, neutropenia, and liver dysfunction.
  • The trial was funded by the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute.
  • The study, titled "T-cell dysregulation informs radiotherapy-immunotherapy response in B-cell lymphoma: results from a phase 1 trial," has been peer-reviewed and published in Blood Advances.

Statistics:

  • 60% of follicular lymphoma patients achieved an overall response, with 40% achieving a complete response.
  • 14% of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients achieved an overall response, with 7% achieving a complete response.
  • 9% of patients experienced anemia as a grade 3 to 4 toxicity.
  • 11% of patients experienced neutropenia as a grade 3 to 4 toxicity.
  • 5% of patients experienced liver dysfunction as a grade 3 to 4 toxicity.
  • 34 adults with relapsed or refractory lymphomas participated in the phase 1 trial.

Sources:

  • T-cell dysregulation informs radiotherapy-immunotherapy response in B-cell lymphoma: results from a phase 1 trial. Blood Advances, 2025;9(20):5263-5273.
  • NewsRx. New Follicular Lymphoma Study Findings Recently Were Reported by Researchers at Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (T-cell dysregulation informs radiotherapy-immunotherapy response in B-cell lymphoma: results from a phase 1 trial). Immunotherapy Weekly. October 29, 2025; p 1221.