A groundbreaking clinical trial at the Calvary Mater Newcastle has dramatically increased the survival rates of patients with high-risk blood cancer, specifically large B-cell lymphoma, from 50 percent to an impressive 90 percent. This promising outcome emerged from a study involving the immunotherapy drug glofitamab, which enhances the immune system’s ability to combat lymphoma cells. The trial combined this innovative treatment with standard chemotherapy, marking a significant advancement in patient care.
Dr. Wojt Janowski, the director of health research at the Calvary Mater, emphasized the significance of the phase-two trial, stating, “It does look like it’s going to be a paradigm shift in how we approach our high-risk patients with lymphoma.” If approved for market use, approximately 15 to 20 patients in the Hunter region could benefit from this treatment annually.
The Coalition trial, initiated by the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, included a total of 80 patients aged between 18 and 65 who were diagnosed with a high-risk form of the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The median age of participants was 58 years, with seven individuals from the Hunter area taking part in the study. These patients exhibited clinical features that indicated their cancers were unlikely to respond satisfactorily to conventional therapies.
Dr. Janowski highlighted the trial’s success, noting, “When we added the medication to our standard treatment, the survival rate after two years has gone from about 50 percent to 90 percent.” More than 95 percent of trial participants completed the therapy, with 98 percent achieving a “complete response,” meaning their blood cancers became undetectable through advanced scanning techniques. After two years, the data showed a progression-free survival rate of 86 percent and an overall survival rate of 92 percent.
“The two-year mark is very important,” Dr. Janowski explained. “For most people with aggressive lymphoma, if they were going to relapse, they would have done so by that point. At the five-year mark, we generally say people are most likely clear of cancer. The risk of it coming back then is very small.”
Dr. Janowski expressed pride in the cancer services at the Mater, asserting, “We significantly punch above our weight. We see ourselves as the feisty little underdog when it comes to cancer research. We score some big goals.” He believes this study contributes significantly to global lymphoma research and demonstrates that the treatment is both feasible and effective.
The trial’s results indicated “no major new toxicities,” and the side effects experienced by patients were considered manageable. Dr. Janowski noted, “It’s one of the first studies published using this strategy in high-risk patients.” He added that the pharmaceutical companies involved have moved rapidly into phase-three studies, which are currently underway worldwide. These further studies are essential for convincing regulatory authorities to approve these more expensive treatments for broader use, including potential subsidization through programs like the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
As the trial progresses towards potential market availability, the implications for blood cancer treatment could be transformative, offering hope to patients facing high-risk diagnoses. The results signify a pivotal moment in the ongoing fight against lymphoma and reflect the commitment of researchers and healthcare professionals to improve patient outcomes.
