Dr Falchi on the Efficacy of Fixed-Duration Epcoritamab Plus Lenalidomide and Rituximab in R/R Follicular Lymphoma

“The very satisfying result that we saw was in terms of responses, where 96% of the 111 evaluable patients achieved an objective response, and 87% [had] a complete response. What was also encouraging to see is that across well-known high-risk groups of patients, the response rates remain very consistent. The responses were deep and also durable.”

Lorenzo Falchi, MD, an assistant attending physician at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discussed updated findings from arm 2 of the phase 1/2 EPCORE NHL-2 trial (NCT04663347), which evaluated the safety and efficacy of fixed-duration epcoritamab in combination with lenalidomide (Revlimid) and rituximab (Rituxan) in patients with relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma. With a median follow-up exceeding 2 years, the triplet regimen demonstrated a high rate of deep and durable responses, including in high-risk subgroups.

Among 111 evaluable patients, the objective response rate (ORR) was 96%, and the complete response (CR) rate was 87%. Notably, in patients receiving the regimen as second-line therapy, the CR rate was 92%. Responses were consistent across key high-risk subgroups, including those with primary refractory disease and progression of disease within 24 months of treatment.

Minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity was achieved in 88% of evaluable patients (n = 75), and MRD negativity correlated strongly with progression-free survival (PFS). Patients who were MRD-negative had an estimated 21-month PFS rate of 86%, and the overall 21-month PFS rate for the study cohort was 80%.

Falchi also noted that the ability of the regimen to induce MRD-negativity in a large proportion of patients, coupled with the association between MRD status and prolonged PFS, highlights the relevance of MRD monitoring as a potential tool to guide treatment decisions for these patients in the future.