Dr. Nowakowski on Potential Clinical Implications of the ENGINE Study in DLBCL

Grzegorz S. Nowakowski, MD, associate professor of medicine and oncology, consultant, Division of hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, discusses the potential clinical implications of the ongoing, randomized phase 3 ENGINE study in patients with high-risk Denovo Genomic Marker 1 (DGM1)-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

The ENGINE trial is comparing the efficacy of standard-of-care of rituximab (Rituxan) plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin hydrochloride, vincristine sulfate, and prednisone (R-CHOP) in combination with the PKCβ inhibitor enzastaurin (DB102) or placebo in the frontline setting for patients with high-risk DGM1-positive DLBCL.

The goal of the study is show improved outcomes with the addition of enzastaurin for patients in the up-front setting, Nowakowski says. Moreover, investigators hope to capture high-risk patients to show a meaningful difference in overall survival, explains Nowakowski. Results from the study have the potential to impact clinical practice, as well as influence other trial designs going forward.

Notably, in July 2020, the FDA granted a fast track designation for enzastaurin for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma, concludes Nowakowski.