What the study found
Tucidinostat plus R-CHOP led to better event-free survival than R-CHOP alone in newly diagnosed MYC/BCL2 double-expressor diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, a type of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma defined by coexpression of MYC and BCL2 proteins. The treatment also produced a higher complete response rate, and the added toxicity was described as manageable.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that this offers a new first-line therapeutic approach for this high-risk population. They also say the trial is the first to show benefit from an epigenetic modulator, a drug that affects how genes are turned on or off, in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
What the researchers tested
This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial at 40 centers in China. A total of 423 eligible patients were assigned to receive oral tucidinostat or matching placebo plus six cycles of R-CHOP, and patients with a complete response could then receive maintenance tucidinostat or placebo for up to 24 weeks.
What worked and what didn't
The tucidinostat group had a lower risk of disease progression, relapse after complete response, death, or starting new therapy for residual disease than the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.72). The 2-year event-free survival rate was 60.3% with tucidinostat versus 50.5% with placebo, and complete response rates were 73.0% versus 61.8%, respectively. The abstract does not report any benefit for overall survival.
What to keep in mind
The abstract reports increased toxicity with tucidinostat, though it was generally manageable with supportive care. The summary provided does not describe detailed limitations beyond the study setting, and the follow-up reported here was a median of 41.3 months.
Key points
- Tucidinostat plus R-CHOP improved event-free survival compared with R-CHOP alone.
- The 2-year event-free survival rate was 60.3% with tucidinostat and 50.5% with placebo.
- Complete response occurred in 73.0% of patients in the tucidinostat group and 61.8% in the placebo group.
- The trial enrolled 423 patients at 40 centers in China and used a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 design.
- Toxicity was higher with tucidinostat but was generally manageable with supportive care.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Tucidinostat plus R-CHOP improved event-free survival in DLBCL
- Authors:
- Peng-Peng Xu, Yu-Qin Song, Jian-Zhen Shen, Qing-Qing Cai, Hui Zhou, Li-Ling Zhang, Ying Xiang, Xiu-Hua Sun, Wei Yang, Zhi-Hua Yao, Hongmei Jing, Shujuan Wen, Jie Jin, Hong‐Wei Xue, Hong Cen, Kaiyang Ding, Zhengming Jin, Lu Liu, Xiaojing Xing, Lan-Fang Li, Ming Hou, Lu Liu, M Zhang, Wen‐Yu Li, Ou Bai, Ru Feng, Zun-Min Zhu, Hui-Jing Wu, Li-Ping Su, L Gao, F Li, W R Huang, Peng Liu, Yan X, Ying Zhao, Hang Su, Xielan Zhao, Rong Fu, Hong Liu, Wen-Yu Shi, Hui-Zhi Li, Bo Chen, Zhiqiang Ning, Jun Zhu, Wei-Li Zhao
- Institutions:
- Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Army Medical University, Central South University, China Medical University, China Medical University, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chongqing Cancer Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing University, Dalian Medical University, Dalian Medical University, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, First Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University, First Hospital of China Medical University, First Hospital of Jilin University, First People's Hospital of Foshan, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Fudan University, Fujian Medical University, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Hebei Medical University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Jilin University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Nanchang University, Nanfang Hospital, Nantong University, Nantong University, Peking University, Peking University, Peking University, Peking University Cancer Hospital, Peking University Cancer Hospital, Peking University Third Hospital, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Qingdao University, Ruijin Hospital, Ruijin Hospital, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Shanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital, Shenzhen Chipscreen Biosciences Co., Shenzhen Chipscreen Biosciences Co., Shenzhen Chipscreen Biosciences Co., Soochow University, Southern Medical University, Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, The Affiliated Yongchuan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Union Hospital, Wuhan Union Hospital, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Xinjiang Medical University, Zhongshan Hospital
- Publication date:
- 2026-04-22
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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