Nivolumab consolidation in patients with double and triple hit high-grade B-cell lymphoma in complete metabolic remission after DA-EPOCH-R

Patients with high-grade B-cell lymphoma harboring MYC , BCL2 , and/or BCL6 rearrangements (HGBL-DH/TH) frequently relapse after induction chemoimmunotherapy. High MYC is claimed to contribute to immune escape. We evaluated consolidation with PD-1 blockade in patients with HGBL-DH/TH in complete metabolic remission (CMR) after DA-EPOCH-R. In this prospective, multicenter, single-arm, phase II trial (NCT03620578), patients ≥18 years with newly diagnosed, stage II–IV HGBL-DH/TH in CMR received nivolumab 480 mg intravenously every 4 weeks for 1 year. The primary endpoint was disease-free survival (DFS) from nivolumab initiation. Between August 2018 and March 2022, 97 patients were enrolled. One patient was excluded for CNS involvement. After DA-EPOCH-R induction, 63/96 (66%) patients achieved CMR and received nivolumab. With a median follow-up of 3.2 years (IQR: 2.8–3.9) from nivolumab initiation, 1- and 2-year DFS were 92% (95% CI: 86–99%) and 89% (95% CI: 81–97%). One- and 2-year overall survival (OS) were 97% (95% CI: 93–100%) and 95% (95% CI: 90–100%). During nivolumab, grade 3–4 adverse events occurred in 13/63 (21%) patients, including 5 infections. Fourteen immune-related AEs occurred in 13/63 (21%) patients (5% grade 3, 16% grade 2). In conclusion, nivolumab consolidation for HGBL-DH/TH patients in CMR after DA-EPOCH-R is feasible and results in high DFS and OS. Clinical trial registration : this trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03620578 and in the EudraCT database as 2017-003631-12.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Blood Cancer Journal
Published
2026-10-30
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41408-026-01657-x
Primary Topic
Lymphoma Diagnosis and Treatment
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Nivolumab consolidation in patients with double and triple hit high-grade B-cell lymphoma in complete metabolic remission after DA-EPOCH-R

Roel J.W. van Kampen, Bart de Keizer, Daphne de Jong, Martine E.D. Chamuleau et al.
1 links
Blood Cancer Journal
Lymphoma Diagnosis and Treatment
article

Nivolumab consolidation in patients with double and triple hit high-grade B-cell lymphoma in complete metabolic remission after DA-EPOCH-R

Roel J.W. van Kampen, Bart de Keizer, Daphne de Jong, Martine E.D. Chamuleau, Henk Hofwegen, Rob Fijnheer, Aart Beeker, Marcel Nijland, Rogier Mous, Pim G. N. J. Mutsaers, Marjolein van der Poel, Marc F. Durian, Marie José Kersten, Wendy B.C. Stevens, Lianne Koens, Otto J. Visser, Daniëlle M. E. van Assema, Koen de Heer, Erik D. van Werkhoven, Laurens Nieuwenhuizen, Joost S.P. Vermaat, Rozemarijn S. van Rijn, Lara H. Böhmer, Clara P. W. Klerk, David Matthew Kurtz, Yavuz M. Bilgin, Helma Zanders, Anne I.J. Arens, A. Vera de Jonge, Tjeerd J.F. Snijders, Yorick Sandberg, Vibeke K. J. Vergote, Robby E. Kibbelaar, Liping Fu, Josée M. Zijlstra, Ben Zwezerijnen, Brigitta A. G. Schuthof, Djamila Issa
article en

Abstract

Patients with high-grade B-cell lymphoma harboring MYC , BCL2 , and/or BCL6 rearrangements (HGBL-DH/TH) frequently relapse after induction chemoimmunotherapy. High MYC is claimed to contribute to immune escape. We evaluated consolidation with PD-1 blockade in patients with HGBL-DH/TH in complete metabolic remission (CMR) after DA-EPOCH-R. In this prospective, multicenter, single-arm, phase II trial (NCT03620578), patients ≥18 years with newly diagnosed, stage II–IV HGBL-DH/TH in CMR received nivolumab 480 mg intravenously every 4 weeks for 1 year. The primary endpoint was disease-free survival (DFS) from nivolumab initiation. Between August 2018 and March 2022, 97 patients were enrolled. One patient was excluded for CNS involvement. After DA-EPOCH-R induction, 63/96 (66%) patients achieved CMR and received nivolumab. With a median follow-up of 3.2 years (IQR: 2.8–3.9) from nivolumab initiation, 1- and 2-year DFS were 92% (95% CI: 86–99%) and 89% (95% CI: 81–97%). One- and 2-year overall survival (OS) were 97% (95% CI: 93–100%) and 95% (95% CI: 90–100%). During nivolumab, grade 3–4 adverse events occurred in 13/63 (21%) patients, including 5 infections. Fourteen immune-related AEs occurred in 13/63 (21%) patients (5% grade 3, 16% grade 2). In conclusion, nivolumab consolidation for HGBL-DH/TH patients in CMR after DA-EPOCH-R is feasible and results in high DFS and OS. Clinical trial registration : this trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03620578 and in the EudraCT database as 2017-003631-12.

Blood Cancer Journal
University Medical Center Groningen (NL), Leiden University Medical Center (NL), Maastricht University Medical Centre (NL), Universitair Ziekenhuis Leuven (BE), Medisch Spectrum Twente (NL), Medisch Centrum Leeuwarden (NL), Radboud University Medical Center (NL), The Netherlands Cancer Institute (NL), University Medical Center Utrecht (NL), Maastricht University (NL), Noordwest Ziekenhuisgroep (NL), Spaarne Ziekenhuis (NL), Maasstad Ziekenhuis (NL), Flevoziekenhuis (NL), Máxima Medisch Centrum (NL), Zuyderland Medisch Centrum (NL), Haga Hospital (NL), Hovon (NL), Isala (NL), Elisabeth-TweeSteden Ziekenhuis (NL), Erasmus MC Cancer Institute (NL), Admiraal De Ruyter Ziekenhuis (NL), Amsterdam University Medical Centers (NL), Meander Medisch Centrum (NL), Jeroen Bosch Ziekenhuis (NL), Spaarne Gasthuis (NL), Cancer Center Amsterdam (NL), Dijklander Ziekenhuis (NL), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (NL), Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (NL)
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 12%
Lymphoma Diagnosis and Treatment
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.

Laika access coming soon