Epkinly plus R-CHOP shows a strong PFS benefit in first-line DLBCL

AbbVie and Genmab reported positive topline results from the Phase 3 EPCORE DLBCL-2 trial, evaluating Epkinly (epcoritamab) plus R-CHOP for newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

The combination significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) versus R-CHOP alone in patients with an International Prognostic Index (IPI) score of 2–5. The reported risk of disease progression or death was 51% lower (hazard ratio 0.49; 95% CI 0.36–0.67; p<0.0001).

The headline describes oncologists as impressed by initial PFS data. The available results are topline data; the sources found do not provide detailed physician quotes or median PFS figures.

Patients received epcoritamab plus R-CHOP for six cycles, followed by two cycles of epcoritamab; the comparison group received six cycles of R-CHOP followed by two cycles of rituximab. The companies said the trial met its primary endpoint, and the data monitoring committee recommended unblinding.