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AzTrials

Recurrent Diffuse Large B-Cell LymphomaPhase 1NCT03321643

Testing the Addition of an Immunotherapy Agent, Atezolizumab, When Given With the Usual Chemo-Immunotherapy Drug Combination (Rituximab Plus Gemcitabine and Oxaliplatin) for Relapsed/Refractory (That Has Come Back or Not Responded to Treatment) Transformed Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

A Phase 1 study testing Atezolizumab, Biopsy Procedure and Biospecimen Collection in people with Recurrent Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma and Recurrent Transformed Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, run by National Cancer Institute (NCI) at 4 sites in United States.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
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Trial summary

This pilot phase I trial studies the side effects of atezolizumab, gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, and rituximab and to see how well they work in treating patients with transformed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma that has come back (relapsed) or does not respond to treatment (refractory). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
What is being tested?
Atezolizumab, Biopsy Procedure and Biospecimen Collection
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
24 participants
Where
4 sitesUnited States
Study dates
18 Sep 2018to 30 Jun 2027
Phase
Phase 1
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Patients must have histologically confirmed transformed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), including histologic transformation from any indolent lymphoma (e.g. follicular or marginal zone lymphoma) or Richter transformation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL)
  • Patients must have measurable disease by CT or PET scan, with one or more sites of disease >= 1.5 cm in longest dimension
  • Relapsed or refractory disease after at least 1 prior regimen, defined using the 2014 Lugano classification
  • Age >= 18 years. Because no dosing or adverse event data are currently available on the use of atezolizumab in patients <18 years of age, children are excluded from this study, but will be eligible for future pediatric trials
  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status =< 2 (Karnofsky >= 60%)
  • Life expectancy of greater than 3 months
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  • Leukocytes >= 2,500/mcL, unless documented bone marrow involvement by lymphoma
  • Absolute neutrophil count >= 1,000/mcL, unless documented bone marrow involvement by lymphoma
  • Platelets >= 75,000/mcL, unless documented bone marrow involvement by lymphoma
  • Hemoglobin >= 8 g/dL, unless documented bone marrow involvement by lymphoma
  • Total bilirubin =< 1.5 x institutional upper limit of normal (ULN) (however, patients with known Gilbert disease who have serum bilirubin level =< 3 x ULN may be enrolled)
  • Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase [SGOT])/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase [SGPT]) =< 3 x ULN (AST and/or ALT =< 5 x ULN for patients with liver involvement)
  • Alkaline phosphatase =< 2.5 x ULN (=< 5 x ULN for patients with documented liver involvement or bone metastases)
  • Creatinine clearance >= 30 mL/min/1.73 m^2 by Cockcroft-Gault
  • International normalized ratio (INR) and partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) =< 1.5 x ULN (this applies only to patients who do not receive therapeutic anticoagulation; patients receiving therapeutic anticoagulation, such as low-molecular-weight heparin or warfarin, should be on a stable dose)
  • Administration of atezolizumab may have an adverse effect on pregnancy and poses a risk to the human fetus, including embryo-lethality; women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry, for the duration of study participation, and for 5 months (150 days) after the last dose of study agent; should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while she or her partner is participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately
  • Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document
  • Patients positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are allowed on study, but HIV-positive patients must have:
  • A stable regimen of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART)
  • No requirement for concurrent antibiotics or antifungal agents for the prevention of opportunistic infections
  • A CD4 count above 250 cells/mcL and an undetectable HIV viral load on standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based tests

Who cannot join

  • Patients with prior allogeneic bone marrow transplantation or prior solid organ transplantation
  • Patients who have previously received gemcitabine plus oxaliplatin therapy
  • Patients who have had chemotherapy or radiotherapy within 2 weeks (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin C) prior to entering the study or those who have not recovered from adverse events (other than alopecia) due to agents administered more than 2 weeks earlier; however, the following therapies are allowed:
  • Hormone-replacement therapy or oral contraceptives
  • Herbal therapy > 1 week prior to cycle 1, day 1 (herbal therapy intended as anticancer therapy must be discontinued at least 1 week prior to cycle 1, day 1)
  • Prior treatment with anti-PD-1, or anti-PD-L1 therapeutic antibody or pathway-targeting agents
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  • Patients who have received prior treatment with anti-CTLA-4 may be enrolled, provided the following requirements are met:
  • Minimum of 12 weeks from the first dose of anti-CTLA-4 and > 6 weeks from the last dose
  • No history of severe immune-related adverse effects from anti-CTLA-4 (National Cancer Institute [NCI] Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [CTCAE] version 5.0)
  • Treatment with any other investigational agent within 3 weeks prior to cycle 1, day 1
  • Treatment with systemic immunostimulatory agents (including, but not limited to, interferon [IFN]-alpha or interleukin [IL]-2) within 6 weeks prior to cycle 1, day 1
  • Treatment with systemic immunosuppressive medications (including, but not limited to, prednisone, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, methotrexate, thalidomide, and anti-tumor necrosis factor [anti-TNF] agents) within 2 weeks prior to cycle 1, day 1
  • Patients who have received acute, low dose, systemic immunosuppressant medications (e.g., a one-time dose of dexamethasone for nausea) may be enrolled
  • The use of inhaled corticosteroids and mineralocorticoids (e.g., fludrocortisone) for patients with orthostatic hypotension or adrenocortical insufficiency is allowed
  • Patients taking bisphosphonate therapy for symptomatic hypercalcemia; use of bisphosphonate therapy for other reasons (e.g., bone metastasis or osteoporosis) is allowed
  • Patients requiring treatment with a RANKL inhibitor (e.g. denosumab) who cannot discontinue it before treatment with atezolizumab
  • Patients with known active central nervous system (CNS) involvement by lymphoma, including leptomeningeal involvement
  • Known hypersensitivity to Chinese hamster ovary cell products or other recombinant human antibodies
  • History of severe allergic, anaphylactic, or other hypersensitivity reactions to chimeric or humanized antibodies or fusion proteins
  • History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to other agents used in study
  • Known clinically significant liver disease, including active viral, alcoholic, or other hepatitis; cirrhosis; fatty liver; and inherited liver disease
  • Patients with past or resolved hepatitis B infection (defined as having a negative hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] test and a positive anti-HBc [antibody to hepatitis B core antigen] antibody test) are eligible
  • Patients positive for hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody are eligible only if polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is negative for HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA)
  • History or risk of autoimmune disease, including, but not limited to, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, vascular thrombosis associated with antiphospholipid syndrome, Wegener's granulomatosis, Sjogren's syndrome, Bell's palsy, Guillain-Barre syndrome, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune thyroid disease, vasculitis, or glomerulonephritis
  • Patients with a history of autoimmune hypothyroidism on a stable dose of thyroid replacement hormone may be eligible
  • Patients with controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus on a stable insulin regimen may be eligible
  • Patients with eczema, psoriasis, lichen simplex chronicus of vitiligo with dermatologic manifestations only (e.g., patients with psoriatic arthritis would be excluded) are permitted provided that they meet the following conditions:
  • Patients with psoriasis must have a baseline ophthalmologic exam to rule out ocular manifestations
  • Rash must cover less than 10% of body surface area (BSA)
  • Disease is well controlled at baseline and only requiring low potency topical steroids (e.g., hydrocortisone 2.5%, hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1%, fluocinolone 0.01%, desonide 0.05%, alclometasone dipropionate 0.05%)
  • No acute exacerbations of underlying condition within the last 12 months (not requiring psoralen plus ultraviolet A radiation [PUVA], methotrexate, retinoids, biologic agents, oral calcineurin inhibitors; high potency or oral steroids)
  • History of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, pneumonitis (including drug induced), organizing pneumonia (i.e., bronchiolitis obliterans, cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, etc.), or evidence of active pneumonitis on screening chest computed tomography (CT) scan; history of radiation pneumonitis in the radiation field (fibrosis) is permitted
  • Patients with active tuberculosis (TB) are excluded
  • Severe infections within 4 weeks prior to cycle 1, day 1, including, but not limited to, hospitalization for complications of infection, bacteremia, or severe pneumonia
  • Signs or symptoms of infection within 2 weeks prior to cycle 1, day 1
  • Received oral or intravenous (IV) antibiotics within 2 weeks prior to cycle 1, day 1; patients receiving prophylactic antibiotics (e.g., for prevention of a urinary tract infection or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) are eligible
  • Major surgical procedure within 28 days prior to cycle 1, day 1 or anticipation of need for a major surgical procedure during the course of the study
  • Administration of a live, attenuated vaccine within 4 weeks before cycle 1, day 1 or anticipation that such a live, attenuated vaccine will be required during the study and up to 5 months after the last dose of atezolizumab
  • Influenza vaccination should be given during influenza season only (approximately October to March); patients must not receive live, attenuated influenza vaccine within 4 weeks prior to cycle 1, day 1 or at any time during the study
  • Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements
  • Pregnant women are excluded from this study because atezolizumab, gemcitabine, and oxaliplatin are agents with the potential for teratogenic or abortifacient effects; because there is an unknown but potential risk for adverse events in nursing infants secondary to treatment of the mother with atezolizumab, gemcitabine, and oxaliplatin, breastfeeding should be discontinued if the mother is treated with atezolizumab, gemcitabine, and oxaliplatin; these potential risks may also apply to other agents used in this study

Trial locations and contacts

4 sites in 1 country.

United States4 sites

  • Emory University Hospital/Winship Cancer Institute

    Atlanta, Georgia, 30322

  • City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Duarte, California, 91010

  • UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center

    La Jolla, California, 92093

  • University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Sacramento, California, 95817

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: A Pilot Phase I Study of Atezolizumab (MPDL3280A) in Combination With Immunogenic Chemotherapy (Gemcitabine-Oxaliplatin) and Rituximab for Transformed Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

This pilot phase I trial studies the side effects of atezolizumab, gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, and rituximab and to see how well they work in treating patients with transformed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma that has come back (relapsed) or does not respond to treatment (refractory). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as atezolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as gemcitabine and oxaliplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody. It binds to a protein called CD20, which is found on B cells (a type of white blood cell) and some types of cancer cells. This may help the immune system kill cancer cells. Giving atezolizumab, gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, and rituximab may work better in treating patients with transformed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Read the detailed description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

  1. Assess the safety and toxicity of atezolizumab in combination with immunogenic chemotherapy (gemcitabine plus oxaliplatin) with rituximab (R-GEMOX-ATEZO) in patients with relapsed or refractory (rel/ref) transformed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), including determination of the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) of R-GEMOX-ATEZO.

II. Evaluate on-treatment changes in density of and proximity between immune cell subsets in the tumor microenvironment after immunogenic chemotherapy alone and R-GEMOX-ATEZO.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

  1. To observe and record anti-tumor activity. II. Evaluate genomic (e.g. gene expression profiles, whole exome sequencing) characteristics of patients with rel/ref transformed DLBCL treated with R-GEMOX-ATEZO.

OUTLINE:

INDUCTION PHASE: Patients receive rituximab intravenously (IV), gemcitabine IV, and oxaliplatin IV every 2 weeks. Starting cycle 2, patients also receive atezolizumab IV over 30-60 minutes every 2 weeks. Treatment repeats every 14 days of cycle 1 and every 28 days for up to 4 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unaccepted toxicity. Patients also undergo computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET)-CT, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), bone marrow biopsy, collection of blood samples, and tumor biopsy throughout induction phase.

MAINTENANCE PHASE: Patients receive rituximab IV and atezolizumab over 30-60 minutes IV on day 1. Cycles repeat every 3 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unaccepted toxicity. Patients also undergo CT, PET-CT, MRI, bone marrow biopsy, and collection of blood samples throughout maintenance phase.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up at 30 days and then every 6 months for up to 1 year.

Being tested
Atezolizumab, Biopsy Procedure, Biospecimen Collection, Bone Marrow Biopsy, Computed Tomography
Medical subject headings
Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • AtezolizumabDrug

    Also called MPDL 3280A, MPDL 328OA, MPDL-3280A, MPDL3280A

    Given IV

  • Biopsy ProcedureProcedure or surgery

    Also called Biopsy, BIOPSY_TYPE, Bx

    Undergo biopsy

  • Biospecimen CollectionProcedure or surgery

    Also called Biological Sample Collection, Biospecimen Collected, Sample Collection, Specimen Collection

    Undergo collection of blood samples

  • Bone Marrow BiopsyProcedure or surgery

    Also called Biopsy of Bone Marrow, Biopsy, Bone Marrow

    Undergo bone marrow biopsy

  • Computed TomographyProcedure or surgery

    Also called CAT, CAT Scan, Computed Axial Tomography, Computerized Axial Tomography

    Undergo CT or PET-CT

  • GemcitabineDrug

    Also called dFdC, dFdCyd, Difluorodeoxycytidine

    Given IV

  • Magnetic Resonance ImagingProcedure or surgery

    Also called Magnetic Resonance, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Magnetic resonance imaging (procedure), Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan

    Undergo MRI

  • OxaliplatinDrug

    Also called 1-OHP, Ai Heng, Aiheng, Dacotin

    Given IV

  • Positron Emission TomographyProcedure or surgery

    Also called Medical Imaging, Positron Emission Tomography, PET, PET Scan, Positron emission tomography (procedure)

    Undergo PET-CT

  • RituximabBiological

    Also called ABP 798, ABP-798, ABP798, BI 695500

    Given IV

Study groups in NCT03321643
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Treatment (rituximab, gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, atezolizumab)ExperimentalINDUCTION PHASE: Patients receive rituximab IV, gemcitabine IV, and oxaliplatin IV every 2 weeks. Starting cycle 2, patients also receive atezolizumab IV over 30-60 minutes every 2 weeks. Treatment repeats every 14 days of cycle 1 and every 28 days for up to 4 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unaccepted toxicity. Patients also undergo CT, PET-CT, MRI, bone marrow biopsy, collection of blood samples, and tumor biopsy throughout induction phase. MAINTENANCE PHASE: Patients receive rituximab IV and atezolizumab IV over 30-60 minutes on day 1. Cycles repeat every 3 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unaccepted toxicity. Patients also undergo CT, PET-CT, MRI, bone marrow biopsy, and collection of blood samples throughout maintenance phase.
Receives: Drug: Atezolizumab; Procedure: Biopsy Procedure; Procedure: Biospecimen Collection; Procedure: Bone Marrow Biopsy; Procedure: Computed Tomography; Drug: Gemcitabine; Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Drug: Oxaliplatin; Procedure: Positron Emission Tomography; Biological: Rituximab

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Incidence of adverse events

    Adverse events will be graded according to National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0. Observed toxicities will be summarized by dose limiting toxicity (DLT) (yes/no) as well as by type (organ affected or laboratory determination such as absolute neutrophil count), severity, cycle experienced, and attribution. All patients who begin treatment will be included in the summaries of toxicity.

    Measured: Up to course 2 (42 days)

  2. Maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended phase 2 dose

    MTD and recommended phase 2 dose will be determined by DLT. Toxicities will be graded according to CTCAE criteria version 5.0. The study will use a traditional 3+3 design.

    Measured: Course 2, up to 28 days

Secondary outcomes (3)

  1. Complete response rate

    Will be assessed by the 2014 Lugano classification.

    Measured: Up to 1 year

  2. Best overall response rate (complete response + partial response)

    Will be assessed by the 2014 Lugano classification. Exact 95% confidence intervals will be calculated for these estimates. Confirmation of progressive disease in patients with indeterminate responses as assessed by the Lymphoma Response to Immunomodulatory Therapy Criteria (LYRIC) criteria will be compared with standard assessment of progressive disease by the 2014 Lugano classification.

    Measured: Up to 1 year

  3. Biomarker analysis

    Will assess whole exome sequencing (WES) and gene expression profiling (GEP) and immune cell subset density and relative proximities in the tumor microenvironment. Will also explore associations between these and clinical outcome as measured by response and progression free survival. Initially, visual displays (e.g. scatterplots or Kaplan-Meier plots or contingency tables), as well as point estimates and associated 95% confidence intervals, will used to summarize the baseline levels and associations with outcome.

    Measured: Up to 1 year

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted26 Oct 2017
  2. Study start18 Sep 2018
  3. Primary completion30 Jun 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion30 Jun 2027 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 1
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
24 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03321643
Sponsor's protocol ID
NCI-2017-01957
Other IDs
NCI-2017-01957, PHI-96, 10126, 10126, UM1CA186717
Status last verified
Jun 2026
First submitted
25 Oct 2017
Last updated
11 Jun 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 1 study testing Atezolizumab, Biopsy Procedure and Biospecimen Collection in people with Recurrent Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma and Recurrent Transformed Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, run by National Cancer Institute (NCI) at 4 sites in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 21 inclusion and 41 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 11 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 4 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Incidence of adverse events (time frame: Up to course 2 (42 days)). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03321643.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 11 Jun 2026.

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