Jack Shuang Hou, Scientific Director at Jtests, shared on LinkedIn:
“Genmab and AbbVie Report Phase 3 Win for Epcoritamab Plus R-CHOP: Bringing Bispecific T-Cell Engagement Into Front-Line DLBCL ⠀
Genmab and AbbVie announced positive topline results from Phase 3 EPCORE DLBCL-2, evaluating subcutaneous epcoritamab plus R-CHOP versus R-CHOP alone in newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. ⠀
- 51% Lower Risk of Progression or Death ⠀
Epcoritamab plus R-CHOP produced a statistically significant and clinically meaningful PFS improvement. ⠀
In the primary IPI 3 to 5 population, the risk of progression or death fell 51%, with HR 0.49 and p below 0.0001. ⠀
The broader IPI 2 to 5 population also showed a 51% reduction, with HR 0.49. ⠀
Safety was reported as generally consistent with the known profiles of epcoritamab and R-CHOP. ⠀
- Adding T-Cell Engagement to a Curative Backbone ⠀
Epcoritamab is a CD3 x CD20 bispecific antibody designed to bring cytotoxic T cells directly into contact with CD20-positive B cells. ⠀
The strategy therefore layers targeted immune-cell recruitment onto the established R-CHOP chemoimmunotherapy backbone. ⠀
Treatment is fixed duration: six cycles of epcoritamab plus R-CHOP followed by two cycles of epcoritamab. ⠀
- Bispecifics Are Moving Earlier ⠀
Epcoritamab is already approved in multiple relapsed or refractory lymphoma settings. ⠀
These results represent the first Phase 3 bispecific-antibody combination to demonstrate significant PFS improvement in front-line DLBCL. The combination remains investigational, and Genmab and AbbVie plan discussions with global regulators. ⠀
Leadership Perspective ⠀
Jan van de Winkel, CEO of Genmab, described the results as potentially reshaping front-line treatment. ⠀
Dr. Gilles Salles of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center emphasized the clinical relevance of reducing progression or death risk by 51% in a potentially curative setting. ⠀
My Takeaway ⠀
The strategic significance goes beyond DLBCL. ⠀
Bispecific antibodies initially established themselves in later-line hematologic cancers. Now they are moving upstream into newly diagnosed disease and being integrated with established curative regimens. ⠀
If the full dataset confirms a favorable benefit-risk profile, this could represent an important transition: ⠀
Bispecific T-cell engagement from rescue therapy to a component of front-line treatment.”
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