Zanubrutinib Shows Promising Efficacy in Relapsed or Refractory DLBCL

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital have conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of zanubrutinib combined with salvage chemotherapy in transplant-ineligible patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) non-GCB diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The study found that zanubrutinib combined with either bendamustine and rituximab (ZBR) or lenalidomide and rituximab (ZR2) resulted in a 57.1% overall response rate (ORR) and a complete response (CR) rate of 12.2%. Patients with CD79B ± MYD88 mutations had a significantly higher ORR and longer progression-free survival (PFS) compared to those without these mutations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study enrolled 49 patients with a median age of 60 years, who were treated with either ZBR or ZR2 between January 2019 and July 2023.
  • The ORR was 57.1%, with a CR rate of 12.2% in the entire cohort.
  • Patients in the CD79B ± MYD88 mutated subgroup had a significantly higher ORR (86.7% v 44.1%, P = 0.006) and longer PFS (8.1 v 4.9 months, P = 0.009) compared to those in the non-mutated subgroup.
  • The most common grade 3/4 adverse events were neutropenia (46. 9%) and thrombocytopenia (44.9%).
  • Zanubrutinib combined with BR or R2 showed promising efficacy and manageable toxicity in transplant-ineligible patients with R/R non-GCB DLBCL.

Statistics:

  • Median age of the patients: 60 years
  • Number of patients enrolled: 49
  • ORR: 57.1%
  • CR rate: 12.2%
  • PFS: 6.0 months (median)
  • OS: 21.0 months (median)
  • ORR in CD79B ± MYD88 mutated subgroup: 86.7%
  • ORR in CD79B ± MYD88 non-mutated subgroup: 44.1%
  • PFS in CD79B ± MYD88 mutated subgroup: 8.1 months (median)
  • PFS in CD79B ± MYD88 non-mutated subgroup: 4.9 months (median)

Sources:

  • Annals of Hematology, 2025. Zanubrutinib plus salvage chemotherapy in patients with refractory/relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma non-candidate for autologous stem cell transplantation: A retrospective study.
  • Springer, One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, Ny, United States.
  • Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. 71 Hedi Road, Nanning city, 530021, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.