Epcoritamab (CD20×CD3 bispecific) + R-miniCVP posts 86% CR in frail/anthracycline-ineligible newly diagnosed DLBCL

Epcoritamab is a subcutaneous CD20×CD3 T-cell–engaging bispecific antibody combined here with rituximab–miniCVP (cyclophosphamide/vincristine/prednisone; no anthracycline) in an open-label, single-arm Phase 2 MD Anderson study in older unfit/frail or anthracycline-ineligible, newly diagnosed DLBCL (NCT06045247). In the interim futility analysis, 22 patients who completed 6 cycles (median age 80; 86% IPI≥3; 27% PS2) achieved an 86% CR rate (95% CI, 65-97%) and 1-year PFS of 94.7% (95% CI, 68-99%) at 11 months’ median follow-up—well above historical outcomes with R-miniCHOP in ≥80-year-olds (e.g., ~47% 2-year PFS in the GELA Phase 2 study), though cross-trial comparisons are very imperfect given different populations and follow-up. Safety was dominated by low-grade immune AEs: CRS in 55% (all grade 1; some tocilizumab), 1 case of grade 2 neurotoxicity resolving within 24 hours; notably, all 22 completed planned therapy and no grade ≥3 CRS/ICANS was reported in this dataset.