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Marginal Zone LymphomaPhase 2NCT03474744

Copanlisib and Rituximab in Marginal Zone Lymphoma Patients

A Phase 2 study testing Copanlisib and Rituximab in people with Marginal Zone Lymphoma, run by Christian Buske at 18 sites in 2 countries.

Active, not recruiting

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

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

For marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) Rituximab in combination with conventional chemotherapy is widely used for those patients who fail local therapy or do not qualify for such. Depending on the MZL subtype Rituximab/chemotherapy is able to induce in part long remissions, but do not prevent relapse later on. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Marginal Zone Lymphoma
What is being tested?
Copanlisib and Rituximab
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
36 participants
Where
18 sitesin 2 countries
Study dates
15 Dec 2019to 31 Dec 2027
Phase
Phase 2
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 meet all of the following inclusion criteria to be eligible for participation in this study:
  • Confirmed CD20 positive MALT Lymphoma de novo or relapsed following or being not eligible for local therapy (including surgery, radiotherapy) and antibiotics for H. pylori-positive gastric lymphoma arisen at any extranodal site OR
  • Confirmed CD20 positive de novo or relapsed splenic MZL following or not being eligible for local therapy (including surgery and antiviral therapy for Hepatitis C Virus) with symptomatic disease OR
  • Confirmed CD20 positive de novo or relapsed nodal MZL Tissue diagnostic procedures must be performed within 12 months prior to study entry and have to include diagnostics by a reference pathology center. Biopsy material from an excisional or core biopsy must be submitted for retrospective central confirmation. Tissue samples dated > 12 months prior to informed consent can be accepted only if tissue material is available for retrospective confirmation, if there is no clinical indication for transformation of disease, and if the request for additional biopsy would be unethical treatment of the patient.
  • In patients with splenic MZL without splenic tissue available for histologic review, the diagnosis may be confirmed by the presence of splenomegaly and typical morphologic and immunophenotypic findings in the blood and bone marrow. Bone marrow (acceptable up to 12 weeks before start of treatment) must be submitted for retrospective central confirmation.
  • Patients in need of treatment: For patients with symptomatic splenic, nodal, or non-gastric extranodal MZL disease that is de novo or has relapsed following local therapy (i.e., surgery or radiotherapy) and requires therapy, as assessed by the investigator.
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  • For nodal MZL and extragastric MALT lymphoma:
  • At least one bi-dimensionally measurable lesion (≥ 1.5 cm in its largest dimension by CT scan or MRI). Please refer to Appendix C.
  • For SMZL:
  • For splenic MZL, an enlarged spleen on CT scan and lymphoma cell infiltration has to be seen in bone marrow and/or peripheral blood. Please refer also to Appendix E.
  • At least one of the following criteria must be met:
  • Bulky progressive or painful splenomegaly
  • one of the following symptomatic/progressive cytopenias: Hb < 10 g/dL, or Plat < 80.000 /µL, or neutropenia < 1000/µL, whatever the reason (autoimmune or hypersplenism or bone marrow infiltration)
  • SMZL with concomitant hepatitis C infection which has not responded to or has relapsed after Interferon and/or Ribavirin and/or direct antiviral agents (patients positive for HCV antibody are eligible only if PCR is negative for HCV RNA).
  • splenectomised patients with rapidly raising lymphocyte counts, development of lymphadenopathy or involvement of extranodal sites if not being eligible for local therapy.
  • For gastric MALT lymphoma:
  • For gastric MALT lymphoma, the clinical evidence of the MZL as seen by gastroendoscopy is sufficient. There is no need to show a measurable lesion by CT scan or MRI. Please refer to Appendix D.
  • H. pylori-negative disease de novo or following or being not eligible for local therapy (i.e., surgery, radiotherapy or antibiotics) or after systemic therapy.
  • H. pylori-positive disease that has remained stable, progressed, or relapsed following antibiotic therapy.
  • Others:
  • Age >= 18 years
  • Life expectancy >3 months.
  • Baseline platelet Count >= 50 x 109/L (if not due to BM infiltration by the lymphoma), absolute neutrophil Count >= 0.75 x 109/L.
  • Meet the following pretreatment laboratory criteria at the Screening visit conducted within 28 days of study enrollment (unless due to underlying lymphoma):
  • ASAT (SGOT): <= 3 times the upper limit of institutional laboratory normal value
  • ALAT (SGPT): <= 3 times the upper limit of institutional laboratory normal value
  • Total Bilirubin: <= 2 mg/dL or 2 times the upper limit of institutional laboratory normal value, unless clearly related to the disease (except if due to Gilbert's syndrome)
  • GFR ≥ 40 mL/min/1.73 m²
  • Negative HIV antibody
  • Positive test results for chronic HBV infection (defined as positive HBsAg serology): patients with occult or prior HBV infection (defined as negative HBsAg and positive total HBcAb) may be included if HBV DNA is undetectable, provided that they are willing to undergo monthly DNA testing. Patients who have protective titers of HBsAb after vaccination or prior but cured hepatitis B are eligible.
  • Positive test results for hepatitis C (hepatitis C virus [HCV] antibody serology testing): patients positive for HCV antibody are eligible only if PCR is negative for HCV RNA.
  • Pregnancy β-HCG negative. For women of child-bearing potential only (i.e. fertile, following menarche and until becoming post-menopausal unless permanently sterile. Permanent sterilisation methods include hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy and bilateral oophorectomy); serum or urine β-HCG must be negative during screening and at study enrolment visit
  • Premenopausal fertile females must agree to use a highly effective method of birth control for the duration of the therapy up to 12 months after end of therapy. A highly effective method of birth control is defined as those which result in a low failure rate (i.e. less than 1% per year) when used consistently and correctly such as combined (estrogen and progestogen containing) hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral, intravaginal or transdermal), progestogen-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral, injectable or implantable), intrauterine device (IUD), intrauterine hormone-releasing system ( IUS), bilateral tubal occlusion, vasectomised partner or sexual abstinence. Contraception and pregnancy testing are required according the CTFG recommendations (http://www.hma.eu/fileadmin/dateien/Human_Medicines/01-About_HMA/Working_Groups/CTFG/2014_09_HMA_CTFG_Contraception.pdf).
  • Men must agree not to father a child for the duration of therapy and 6 months after (use of a condom) and must agree to advice a female partner to use a highly effective method of birth control.
  • Willingness and ability to comply with scheduled visits, drug administration plan, imaging studies, laboratory tests, other study procedures, and study restrictions.
  • Evidence of a personally signed informed consent indicating that the subject is aware of the neoplastic nature of the disease and has been informed of the procedures to be followed, the experimental nature of the therapy, alternatives, potential benefits, possible side effects, potential risks and discomforts, and other pertinent aspects of study participation.

Who cannot join

  • The presence of any of the following will exclude a subject from enrolment:
  • ECOG performance status ≥ 2
  • History of a non-lymphoid malignancy except for the following: adequately treated local basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, cervical carcinoma in situ, superficial bladder cancer, asymptomatic prostate cancer without known metastatic disease and with no requirement for therapy or requiring only hormonal therapy and with normal prostate specific antigen for ≥1 year prior to study enrollment visit, other Stage 1 or 2 cancer treated with a curative intent and currently in complete remission, for ≥3 years.
  • Central nervous system lymphoma, leptomeningeal lymphoma, or histologic evidence of transformation to a high-grade or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
  • Ongoing immunosuppressive therapy including corticosteroids (exception < 4 weeks administered at a dose equivalent to ≤ 40 mg/day prednisone is allowed)
  • Evidence of ongoing systemic bacterial, fungal, or viral infection at the time of study enrolment visit
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  • Ongoing drug-induced liver injury, chronic active hepatitis B (HBV), alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, extrahepatic obstruction caused by cholelithiasis, cirrhosis of the liver, or portal hypertension.
  • Ongoing alcohol or drug addiction
  • Treatment with any other investigational agent within 30 days or within 5 x the half-life (t1/2) of the investigational product, whichever is longer, or participating in another trial within 30 days prior to entering this study
  • Breastfeeding or pregnancy
  • Prior treatment with Copanlisib
  • Congestive heart failure > New York Heart Association (NYHA) class 2
  • Unstable angina (angina symptoms at rest), new-onset angina (begun within the last 3 months).
  • Myocardial infarction less than 6 months before start of test drug
  • Uncontrolled arterial hypertension despite optimal medical management
  • HbA1c>8.5%
  • Prior or ongoing clinically significant illness, medical condition, surgical history, physical finding, electrocardiogram (ECG) finding, or laboratory abnormality that, in the investigator's opinion, could adversely affect the safety of the subject or impair the assessment of study results.
  • History of anaphylaxis in association with previous administration of monoclonal antibodies.
  • Vaccination with a live vaccine within 28 days prior to start of therapy
  • Arterial or venous thrombotic or embolic events such as cerebrovascular accident (including transient ischemic attacks), deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism within 3 months before the start of study medication
  • Non-healing wound, ulcer, or bone fracture
  • History or concurrent interstitial lung disease of any severity and/or severely impaired lung function (as judged by the investigator).

Trial locations and contacts

18 sites in 2 countries.

18 sites in 2 countries

Germany17 sites

  • St. Josef-Hospital, Medizinische Klinik I

    Bochum, 44791

  • Johanniter GmbH, Johanniter-Krankenhaus

    Bonn, 53113

  • ÜBAG MVZ Dr. Vehling-Kaiser GmbH Dingolfing

    Dingolfing, 84113

  • Kath. Karl-Leisner-Klinikum gGmbH, Betriebsstätte Wilhelm-Anton-Hospital

    Goch, 47574

  • MVZ Goslar, MVZ Onkologische Kooperation Harz

    Goslar, 38642

  • Universitätsklinikum Halle, Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin

    Halle, 06120

  • Rotes Kreuz Krankenhaus, Klinik für Interdisziplinäre Onkologie

    Kassel, 34121

  • ÜBAG MVZ Dr. Vehling-Kaiser GmbH

    Landshut, 84036

  • Gemeinschaftspraxis, Fachärzte für Innere Medizin

    Mannheim, 68161

  • Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, III. Medizinische Klinik

    Mannheim, 68167

  • Klinikum der Universität München, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III

    München, 83177

  • Kliniken Ostalb Stauferklinikum Schwäbisch Gmünd, Zentrum für Innere Medizin

    Mutlangen, 73557

  • Sana Klinikum Offenbach GmbH

    Offenbach, 63069

  • Universitätsklinik PIUS Hospital, Innere Medizin

    Oldenburg, 26121

  • Elblandkliniken Stiftung & Co. KG, Innere Medizin II

    Riesa, 01589

  • Universitätsmedizin Rostock

    Rostock, 18051

  • University Hospital Ulm

    Ulm, 89081

Other trials in Germany

Austria1 site

  • Med. Uni Wien AKH, Klinische Abteilung für Onkologie, Innere Medizin I

    Vienna, 1190

Other trials in Austria

About this study

Official title: Copanlisib and Rituximab in Marginal Zone Lymphoma Patients (COUP-1)

For marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) Rituximab in combination with conventional chemotherapy is widely used for those patients who fail local therapy or do not qualify for such. Depending on the MZL subtype Rituximab/chemotherapy is able to induce in part long remissions, but do not prevent relapse later on. In addition, chemotherapy associated toxicity is often problematic in MZL patients, who are mostly of advanced age. Thus, chemotherapy - free approaches are highly attractive for this patient group. Rituximab single agent is a widely used chemotherapy - free approach in MZL, but was significantly inferior compared to Rituximab/chlorambucil in a large randomized prospective clinical trial in treatment naïve MZL with a CR rate of 56 % vs. 80%, respectively (P<0.001). Thus, it is the major aim to develop chemotherapy - free approaches for MZL, which approach efficacy of Rituximab/chemotherapy combinations, but avoid chemotherapy associated toxicities. This in particular important in MZL as many physicians are reluctant to treat these often elderly patients with more intense treatments and prefer single agent therapies in these very often well and long responding lymphoma subtype. The PI3K inhibitor Copanlisib has shown high clinical activity in indolent B - cell lymphomas among them MZL. Based on these observations it is the aim of this study to test the toxicity and efficacy of Copanlisib in combination with the anti-CD20 antibody Rituximab in patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed MZL in need of treatment, who are not eligible or failed local therapy, following the assumption that this novel chemotherapy - free combination is significantly more effective than Rituximab single agent therapy and at least as efficient as Rituximab/chemotherapy, but avoids chemotherapy - related toxicity.

Read the detailed description

For marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) Rituximab in combination with conventional chemotherapy is widely used for those patients who fail local therapy or do not qualify for such. Depending on the MZL subtype Rituximab/chemotherapy is able to induce in part long remissions, but do not prevent relapse later on. In addition, chemotherapy associated toxicity is often problematic in MZL patients, who are mostly of advanced age. Thus, chemotherapy - free approaches are highly attractive for this patient group. Rituximab single agent is a widely used chemotherapy - free approach in MZL, but was significantly inferior compared to Rituximab/chlorambucil in a large randomized prospective clinical trial in treatment naïve MZL with a CR rate of 56 % vs. 80%, respectively (P<0.001). Thus, it is the major aim to develop chemotherapy - free approaches for MZL, which approach efficacy of Rituximab/chemotherapy combinations, but avoid chemotherapy associated toxicities. This in particular important in MZL as many physicians are reluctant to treat these often elderly patients with more intense treatments and prefer single agent therapies in these very often well and long responding lymphoma subtype. The PI3K inhibitor Copanlisib has shown high clinical activity in indolent B - cell lymphomas among them MZL. Based on these observations it is the aim of this study to test the toxicity and efficacy of Copanlisib in combination with the anti-CD20 antibody Rituximab in patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed MZL in need of treatment, who are not eligible or failed local therapy, following the assumption that this novel chemotherapy - free combination is significantly more effective than Rituximab single agent therapy and at least as efficient as Rituximab/chemotherapy, but avoids chemotherapy - related toxicity.

The objective of the trial is to test the efficacy and toxicity of the treatment of Copanlisib/Rituximab in patients with MZL in need of treatment, who have failed or are not eligible for local therapy or relapsed after local or systemic therapy. For efficacy the rate of complete remissions (according to the GELA criteria for gastric MALT or to the Cheson 2007 criteria for non-gastric extranodal, nodal and splenic MZL) after induction therapy will be primarily analysed. For toxicity treatment associated adverse events, quality of life and cumulative incidence of secondary malignancies will be documented.

Being tested
Copanlisib, Rituximab
Keywords
Copanlisib, Rituximab, Oncology
Medical subject headings
Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone, Neoplasms

What participants receive

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

  • CopanlisibDrug

    Also called Aliqopa

    Solution for IV infusion

  • RituximabDrug

    Also called Truxima

    Solution for IV infusion

Study groups in NCT03474744
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Experimental ArmExperimentalInduction Phase: Cycle 1-6 (28 days cycle): Copanlisib: 60 mg i.v. fixed dose days 1, 8, 15. Rituximab: 375 mg/m2 day 1 i.v. Maintenance: Start 2 months after start of the last induction cycle for patients at least achieving a stable response after induction. Copanlisib: 60 mg i.v. fixed dose day 1 and day 15 every 4 weeks for a maximum of 12 cycles or until progression or study drug-related intolerable toxicity (month 2 to month 13 after end of induction). Rituximab: 375 mg/m2 i.v. day 1 every 8 weeks for a maximum of 12 infusions or until progression or study drug-related intolerable toxicity (month 2 to month 24 after end of induction)
Receives: Drug: Copanlisib; Drug: Rituximab

What is being measured

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

  1. Complete Response

    Primary endpoint is the complete response (CR rate (CRR) determined 12 months after start of induction therapy). Patients who progress before 12 months after start of treatment will be treated as CR='NO' and will be included in the calculation of the primary endpoint. No primary endpoint will be determined for patients who withdraw.

    Measured: 12 months

Secondary outcomes (10)

  1. Response rate

    The response rates (complete response (CR), partial response (PR)) and overall response rate (CR or PR) are evaluated 4 weeks after the end of induction treatment and 12 months after start of treatment.

    Measured: 12 months

  2. Best response

    Best response is determined in the time interval from the start of induction therapy to end of follow-up.

    Measured: 8.5 years

  3. Time to best response

    Time to best response is defined as the time from the start of induction to best response the patient achieves (CR, PR).

    Measured: 8.5 years

  4. Time to first response

    Time to first response is defined as the time from the start of induction to first response (CR, PR).

    Measured: 12 months

  5. Progressioin free survival (PFS)

    Progression free survival (PFS) is defined as the time from registration to the first occurrence of progression or relapse as assessed by the investigator, or death from any cause. PFS for patients without disease progression, relapse, or death will be censored at the time of the last tumor assessment.

    Measured: 12 months

  6. Time to Treatment failure (TTF)

    Time to treatment failure (TTF) is defined as the time of registration to discontinuation of therapy for any reason including death from any cause, progression, toxicity or add-on of new anti-cancer therapy. Patients alive without treatment failure are censored at the latest tumor assessment date.

    Measured: 8.5 years

  7. Duration of Response (DR)

    Duration of response as defined as the period from the first response (at least PR) to treatment until evidence of disease progression, relapse or death of any cause. Patients alive without progression and relapse will be censored at the latest tumor assessment date or the stopping date.

    Measured: 8.5 years

  8. Cause specific survival (CSS)

    Cause specific survival is defined as the period from the induction registration to death from lymphoma or lymphoma related cause; death unrelated to MZL is considered as a competing event.

    Measured: 8.5 years

  9. Overall survival (OS)

    Overall survival is defined as the period from the induction registration to death from any cause. Patients who have not died until the time of the analysis will be censored at their last contact date.

    Measured: 8.5 years

  10. Quality of life during induction and maintenance therapy

    Quality of life will be measured by the FACTLym before start of treatment, during induction and maintenance.

    Measured: 8.5 years

Timeline

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

  1. First posted23 Mar 2018
  2. Study start15 Dec 2019
  3. Primary completion30 Dec 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion31 Dec 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 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
36 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03474744
Sponsor's protocol ID
COUP-1
Status last verified
Apr 2026
First submitted
28 Feb 2018
Last updated
6 May 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Publications

  • Sharp J, Shana'ah AY, Voorhees TJ, Bond DA, Sawalha Y, Sigmund A, Hanel W, Sehgal L, Alinari L, Baiocchi R, Maddocks K, Jones D, Christian B, Epperla N. Resistance Mechanism for Zanubrutinib in Marginal Zone Lymphoma. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2025 Jun 23;23(7):e257045. doi: 10.6004/jnccn.2025.7045.

    PubMed 40550489

  • Grunenberg A, Kaiser LM, Woelfle S, Schmelzle B, Viardot A, Moller P, Barth TFE, Muche R, Dreyhaupt J, Raderer M, Kiesewetter B, Buske C. A phase II study of the PI3K inhibitor copanlisib in combination with the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab for patients with marginal zone lymphoma: treatment rationale and protocol design of the COUP-1 trial. BMC Cancer. 2021 Jun 29;21(1):749. doi: 10.1186/s12885-021-08464-6.

    PubMed 34187401

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing Copanlisib and Rituximab in people with Marginal Zone Lymphoma, run by Christian Buske at 18 sites in 2 countries.

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 36 inclusion and 22 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 6 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 18 sites in Germany, Austria. 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 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

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?

Complete Response (time frame: 12 months). 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 NCT03474744, which also lists 2 linked publications.

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 6 May 2026.

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