New Lymphoma Treatment Reduced Disease Progression Risk
A new combination therapy helped newly diagnosed patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma see better outcomes.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Cancer
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Should medical systems prioritize rapid adoption of new bispecific antibody therapies for cancer patients?
AbbVie and Genmab announced positive results from the Phase 3 EPCORE DLBCL-2 trial, which evaluated the drug epcoritamab in combination with standard R-CHOP chemotherapy. The treatment significantly improved progression-free survival in newly diagnosed patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).
Why it matters
DLBCL represents up to 30 percent of all non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases, making effective frontline treatments critical. This trial indicates a major advancement in potential care options for patients newly diagnosed with this aggressive cancer.
In the Phase 3 EPCORE DLBCL-2 trial, newly diagnosed patients were randomized 2:1 to receive epcoritamab with R-CHOP or R-CHOP alone. The study showed a statistically significant 51% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death, with a hazard ratio of 0.49.
The players
AbbVie
A global biopharmaceutical company based in North Chicago that develops therapies for immunology, oncology, and neuroscience.
Genmab
A Copenhagen-based international biotechnology company specializing in the creation and development of antibody therapeutics for cancer.
The details
Epcoritamab is a T-cell engaging bispecific antibody, a type of immunotherapy that works by bridging immune cells directly to cancer cells to trigger an immune-mediated attack. In the trial, patients received the drug subcutaneously alongside standard chemotherapy to target the lymphoma more effectively than conventional regimens alone. The study was unblinded early by an Independent Data Monitoring Committee due to the strength of the clinical benefit observed during the first efficacy analysis.
Timeline
The EPCORE DLBCL-2 trial began on February 8, 2023.
AbbVie and Genmab announced the topline Phase 3 results on October 5, 2026.
Health Landscape
This development represents a major shift in the standard of care for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma by integrating advanced immunotherapy with traditional chemotherapy. It follows the historical arc of incorporating bispecific antibodies into earlier lines of treatment to improve patient outcomes.
If you or a loved one have been recently diagnosed with DLBCL, these results are worth discussing with an oncologist to understand how emerging immunotherapy trials might fit into future care plans. As regulatory authorities review these findings, patients should monitor their physician's guidance regarding clinical study availability.
The takeaway
The EPCORE DLBCL-2 trial shows that adding immunotherapy to standard chemotherapy can significantly improve progression-free survival in newly diagnosed lymphoma patients. Patients should speak with their oncology team about how these evolving standards of care might impact their specific treatment path.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Cancer treatment research.
More information
Review the full study design and eligibility criteria on the EPCORE DLBCL-2 trial clinical study information portal.
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Should medical systems prioritize rapid adoption of new bispecific antibody therapies for cancer patients?
