Zanubrutinib, Chidamide, and Rituximab Induction with or Without CHOP Versus R-CHOP in Newly Diagnosed Double-Expressor DLBCL

Zanubrutinib, as a new generation of BTK inhibitors, has shown more potent antitumor activity and lower adverse reactions than ibrutinib in head-to-head clinical studies, which make it a promising regimen for B cell lymphoma. Chidamide is an oral subtype-selective histone deacetylase inhibitor.

This Randomized, Multicenter, Open-Label Phase II Clinical Study is comparing the efficacy and safety of Zanubrutinib, Chidamide, and Rituximab induction therapy sequentially combined with or without CHOP versus R-CHOP in the first-line treatment of patients with newly diagnosed double-expressor DLBCL.

This study is designed to compare the efficacy and safety of zanubrutinib, chidamide, and rituximab (ZCR) induction therapy sequentially combined with or without CHOP regimen versus the standard R-CHOP regimen as first-line treatment for newly diagnosed double-expressor DLBCL. This study targets patients with MYC/BCL2 double-expressing DLBCL, a group with poor prognosis under traditional R-CHOP treatment.

The study consists of screening period, treatment period, and follow-up period, with subjects randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group in a 1:1 ratio. The primary endpoint is the end-of-treatment complete response rate (EOT-CRR), while secondary endpoints include the overall response rate (EOT-ORR), duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. A total of 128 patients are planned to be enrolled.

Efficacy evaluation will be conducted using the 2014 Lugano criteria, with imaging examinations such as PET-CT to objectively measure treatment response. adverse events (AEs) throughout the entire trial and grade the severity of adverse events will be recorded according to the guidelines of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology for Adverse Events (CTCAE) 5.0.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Newly diagnosed MYC/BCL2 double-expressor DLBCL confirmed by pathological histology/clinical imaging, with IHC BCL2 expression ≥50% and MYC expression ≥40%.
* Male or female patients aged 18-65 years.
* ECOG score of 0-2.
* Expected survival time of ≥6 months.
* Must have at least one evaluable or measurable lesion according to the Lugano 2014 criteria \[Evaluable lesion: lymph node or extranodal local uptake increased (higher than the liver) on 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose/Positron Emission Tomography (18FDG/PET) scan, and PET and/or Computed Tomography (CT) features consistent with lymphoma; Measurable lesion: nodal lesion with a long diameter \>15mm or extranodal lesion with a long diameter \>10mm, with increased 18FDG uptake\]. Patients with no measurable lesions and diffuse 18FDG uptake in the liver should be excluded.
* Good major organ function, meeting the following requirements within one week before enrollment: blood routine WBC ≥3×10\^9/L, Hb ≥80g/L, PLT ≥80×10\^9/L; normal cardiac and liver function (total bilirubin ≤1.5 times the upper limit of normal, ALT and AST ≤2.5 times the upper limit of normal), normal renal function (serum creatinine ≤1.5 times the upper limit of normal), and no coagulation abnormalities.
* LVEF ≥50% as measured by echocardiography.
* Women of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test (serum or urine) within 14 days prior to enrollment and be willing to use reliable contraception during the study.
* Subjects voluntarily join the study, sign the informed consent form, have good compliance, and cooperate with follow-up.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Special types of DLBCL:Fluid overload-associated large B-cell lymphoma, primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, mediastinal gray zone lymphoma, primary central nervous system (CNS) DLBCL, double-hit DLBCL with BCL2 and MYC rearrangements.
* Transformed DLBCL (e.g., DLBCL transformed from follicular lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small B-cell lymphoma), secondary CNS involvement of DLBCL.
* History of other malignancies within the past 5 years, except for squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, basal cell carcinoma of the skin, and carcinoma in situ of the cervix.
* Major surgery within the past 2 months (excluding diagnostic surgery).
* Previous treatment for NHL, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, monoclonal antibody therapy, or surgical treatment (excluding diagnostic surgery and biopsy).
* Previous treatment with cytotoxic drugs or anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody therapy for other diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis).
* Use of any monoclonal antibody within 3 months prior to enrollment, participation in other clinical trials with investigational drugs, or vaccination with live attenuated virus vaccines within 1 month prior to enrollment.
* Use of hematopoietic growth factors within 2 weeks prior to enrollment.
* Suspected active or latent tuberculosis.
* Known active bacterial, viral, fungal, mycobacterial, parasitic, or other infections (excluding nail bed fungal infections) within 4 weeks prior to enrollment, or any major systemic infection requiring intravenous antibiotics or hospitalization (excluding tumor fever).
* History of severe bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia A, hemophilia B, von Willebrand disease, or spontaneous bleeding requiring transfusion or other medical intervention.
* HIV-positive patients. Active HBV-positive and HCV-positive patients, but those with controlled conditions as judged by the investigator may be cautiously enrolled with effective antiviral intervention.
* Other severe diseases that may limit participation in this trial, such as uncontrolled diabetes; severe heart failure (NYHA class II or above); acute coronary syndrome within the past 6 months; coronary revascularization within the past 6 months, such as stent implantation, coronary artery bypass grafting, and other heart and large vessel surgeries; severe arrhythmias including frequent premature ventricular contractions, ventricular tachycardia, rapid atrial fibrillation/flutter, severe bradycardia. Uncontrolled hypertension (greater than 150/100 mmHg). Gastric ulcer (with a risk of perforation as judged by the investigator); active autoimmune diseases; severe hypertension; severe respiratory diseases (e.g., obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchospasm history), such as known interstitial pneumonia or highly suspected interstitial pneumonia; or patients who may interfere with the detection or management of suspected drug-related pulmonary toxicity.
* Contraindications to any study drug, including previous treatment with anthracyclines; patients with diabetes who cannot tolerate prednisone treatment in this regimen.
* History of alcohol abuse or drug abuse.
* Allergic constitution, or known allergy to any active ingredient, excipient, or murine products, heterologous proteins included in this study.
* Requirement for continuous treatment with strong CYP3A inhibitors or inducers (see Appendix 6).
* Severe mental illness.
* Patients unable to comply with the study and/or follow-up phases.
* Patients unable to swallow study drugs normally.
* Patients deemed unsuitable for enrollment by the investigator.