A Phase 3 interventional study of Dexrazoxane and Rituximab in DLBCL - Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma, sponsored by Stichting Hemato-Oncologie voor Volwassenen Nederland. Recruiting at 25 sites in Netherlands. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-23.
Sponsored by Stichting Hemato-Oncologie voor Volwassenen Nederland · Phase 3, Interventional, and Treatment
Patients treated for DLBCL are at high risk of developing AICD. This adverse event is characterized by irreversible damage to the heart muscle with a loss of cardiomyocytes and subsequent decline in cardiac pumping capacity. Thereby patients treated for this malignancy are at double the risk of developing symptomatic heart failure / cardiomyopathy when compared to the general population. This corresponds to a cumulative incidence of 5-10% within 5-years after receiving R-CHOP. In the elderly, an incidence of 26% has been reported after 8-years of follow-up. Among patients who die in complete remission, heart failure has been described to be one of the most important causes of death. ANTICIPATE aims to evaluate if dexrazoxane can prevent AICD in DLBCL patients and identify those at highest risk of AICD. Of all patients treated with anthracyclines in a first-line setting, DLBCL patients were chosen for this trial for two primary reasons. Firstly, these patients have a favourable oncological prognosis with a 5-year relative survival in the Netherlands of 64-78% in those aged 18-74 years increasing the importance of preventing long-term toxicity. Secondly, the cumulative anthracycline dose used for the treatment of DLBCL is higher than the dose used in breast cancer. The cumulative anthracycline dose is the most important risk factor for AICD known.
HO170 DLBCL-ANTICIPATE: "Prevention of ANThracycline-Induced Cardiac dysfunction by dexrazoxane In PATients with diffusE large B-cell lymphoma" is a national randomized controlled trial that will be conducted across 25 Dutch hospitals. This study will include adult patients with DLBCL in which first-line treatment with 6 cycles of R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) is planned (cumulative doxorubicin dose 300 mg/m2). In this trial, we have chosen to include patients with a normal cardiac function before chemotherapy because cardiac dysfunction is a contra-indication for administration of anthracyclines. A total of 324 DLBCL patients will prior to treatment be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either (1) intravenous dexrazoxane administration in a 10:1 dexrazoxane:doxorubicin ratio prior to each doxorubicin infusion or (2) no cardioprotective treatment (current standard of care). Due to the low pH of the dexrazoxane solution that would jeopardize the blinding no placebo is used. Cardiac function will be screened with echocardiography prior to the initiation of chemotherapy and followed-up at 4- and 12-months post randomization. The primary end point of the study will be the incidence of AICD, defined as a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) decline of ≥10 percentage points from baseline and below 50% (normal reference value for two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography). The secondary endpoint will be the percentage of patients with complete metabolic remission (CMR) after R-CHOP chemotherapy, to reassure that dexrazoxane does not influence the antineoplastic efficacy of doxorubicin. To declare ANTICIPATE successful, the trial must show both the superiority of addition of dexrazoxane on the primary endpoint and non-inferiority on the secondary endpoint. Deep-phenotyping of patient- and treatment-related factors will be performed to evaluate their prognostic value.
262 studies on the registry are indexed under Cardiotoxicity; 75 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 324 is above the median of 93 across 137 interventional studies indexed under Cardiotoxicity.
Browse Cardiotoxicity studies →Stichting Hemato-Oncologie voor Volwassenen Nederland is the lead sponsor of 27 studies on the registry; 11 are open to participants now.
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Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Untreated patients with a confirmed histologic diagnosis of CD20+ DLBCL according to WHO classification 2022:
Note: Transformed, previously untreated lymphoma is allowed.
Note: 5-day treatment of dexamethasone 15 mg/day or prednisone 100 mg/day or local radiotherapy in order to control life-threatening/invalidating tumor related symptoms is allowed.
Note: It is allowed to start with a first cycle of R-CHOP21 pending the FISH results.
Planned treatment with 6 R-CHOP21. The following regimens are also allowed:
Exclusion Criteria:
Any of the following B-cell lymphomas according to WHO classification 2022:
o Central Nervous System involvement by DLBCL;
Note: high CNS-IPI is allowed
Pre-existing cardiac disease including:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
A scale of how much an illness limits everyday activity. For people being assessed to join a study, scores run from 0 (fully active) to 4; lower is more active.
Studies most often ask for 0–1 or 0–2. Your doctor gives the score; the WHO scale uses the same steps. The full scale also has 5, which records death.
Able to become pregnant: from the first period until menopause, unless permanently unable to through surgery (removal of the womb, or of both ovaries or both fallopian tubes).
Criteria for people of childbearing potential usually ask for a negative pregnancy test and for contraception during the study and for a time after it.
Periods have stopped for good: usually no period for 12 months in a row without another medical reason, sometimes confirmed by a blood test (FSH).
Ways of preventing pregnancy. “Highly effective” methods fail less than 1% of the time a year when used correctly — for example an IUD or an implant.
Criteria usually say which methods count and how long to keep using them after the last dose, sometimes for male participants too. Some studies accept a partner’s vasectomy if it was confirmed successful and that person is the participant’s only sexual partner.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
The share of blood the heart’s main pumping chamber (the left ventricle) pushes out with each beat, measured by an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) or a MUGA scan. About 50–70% is normal.
The New York Heart Association’s four classes of how much heart failure limits physical activity.
Studies set their own limit — many outside heart failure leave out class III–IV, while heart failure studies may ask for a particular class. Check the class this study names.
Relapsed: the illness came back after treatment had worked. Refractory: it did not respond to treatment, or stopped responding while still on it.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: long-term lung disease that makes it hard to breathe out, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
The number of neutrophils, white blood cells that help fight infection, in a given amount of blood. Too few raises the risk of infection.
It is a count, not a percentage of the white cells. Limits are written in units that mean the same: ≥ 1.5 × 10⁹/L is ≥ 1,500 per mm³ (µL). Each lab has its own reference range.
Blood cells that help blood clot. Too few raises the risk of bleeding and bruising. A usual adult range is about 150–400 × 10⁹/L (150,000–400,000 per µL); each lab has its own reference range.
A yellow substance made when red blood cells are broken down, which the liver clears. A high level can mean a problem with the liver or the bile ducts.
Criteria often allow more for people with Gilbert’s syndrome, a harmless inherited condition that raises bilirubin.
The top of the normal range for a blood test, as set by the laboratory that runs it. Each lab prints its own range next to your result.
“≤ 2.5 × ULN” means the result can be up to two and a half times that top value.
Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. These are separate tests: HBsAg positive usually means a current infection (a recent vaccination can briefly cause it too); total anti-HBc (HBcAb) positive means an infection now or in the past; HBV DNA measures how much virus is in the blood.
Some studies accept a past infection if HBV DNA is undetectable, sometimes with antiviral medicine during the study. Check what this study allows.
Hepatitis C is a virus that infects the liver. An HCV antibody test can stay positive after an infection has cleared (and is occasionally positive without one); an HCV RNA test shows whether the virus is there now.
After treatment, hepatitis C counts as cured when HCV RNA is still undetectable 12 weeks or more after the treatment ended. Studies often accept people cured this way.
How quickly the kidneys clear creatinine, a waste product, from the blood. A study may estimate it from a blood test with age, weight and sex (often by the Cockcroft–Gault formula), or measure it using blood and urine collected over a set time. Given in mL/min; higher is better.
The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.
Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.
ECOG performance status
A scale of how much an illness limits everyday activity. For people being assessed to join a study, scores run from 0 (fully active) to 4; lower is more active.
Studies most often ask for 0–1 or 0–2. Your doctor gives the score; the WHO scale uses the same steps. The full scale also has 5, which records death.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Childbearing potential
Able to become pregnant: from the first period until menopause, unless permanently unable to through surgery (removal of the womb, or of both ovaries or both fallopian tubes).
Criteria for people of childbearing potential usually ask for a negative pregnancy test and for contraception during the study and for a time after it.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Postmenopausal
Periods have stopped for good: usually no period for 12 months in a row without another medical reason, sometimes confirmed by a blood test (FSH).
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Contraception
Ways of preventing pregnancy. “Highly effective” methods fail less than 1% of the time a year when used correctly — for example an IUD or an implant.
Criteria usually say which methods count and how long to keep using them after the last dose, sometimes for male participants too. Some studies accept a partner’s vasectomy if it was confirmed successful and that person is the participant’s only sexual partner.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Cancer (malignancy)
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction)
The share of blood the heart’s main pumping chamber (the left ventricle) pushes out with each beat, measured by an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) or a MUGA scan. About 50–70% is normal.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
NYHA class (heart failure)
The New York Heart Association’s four classes of how much heart failure limits physical activity.
Studies set their own limit — many outside heart failure leave out class III–IV, while heart failure studies may ask for a particular class. Check the class this study names.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Relapsed and refractory
Relapsed: the illness came back after treatment had worked. Refractory: it did not respond to treatment, or stopped responding while still on it.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: long-term lung disease that makes it hard to breathe out, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
The number of neutrophils, white blood cells that help fight infection, in a given amount of blood. Too few raises the risk of infection.
It is a count, not a percentage of the white cells. Limits are written in units that mean the same: ≥ 1.5 × 10⁹/L is ≥ 1,500 per mm³ (µL). Each lab has its own reference range.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Platelets
Blood cells that help blood clot. Too few raises the risk of bleeding and bruising. A usual adult range is about 150–400 × 10⁹/L (150,000–400,000 per µL); each lab has its own reference range.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Bilirubin
A yellow substance made when red blood cells are broken down, which the liver clears. A high level can mean a problem with the liver or the bile ducts.
Criteria often allow more for people with Gilbert’s syndrome, a harmless inherited condition that raises bilirubin.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
ULN (upper limit of normal)
The top of the normal range for a blood test, as set by the laboratory that runs it. Each lab prints its own range next to your result.
“≤ 2.5 × ULN” means the result can be up to two and a half times that top value.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hepatitis B tests
Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. These are separate tests: HBsAg positive usually means a current infection (a recent vaccination can briefly cause it too); total anti-HBc (HBcAb) positive means an infection now or in the past; HBV DNA measures how much virus is in the blood.
Some studies accept a past infection if HBV DNA is undetectable, sometimes with antiviral medicine during the study. Check what this study allows.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hepatitis C tests
Hepatitis C is a virus that infects the liver. An HCV antibody test can stay positive after an infection has cleared (and is occasionally positive without one); an HCV RNA test shows whether the virus is there now.
After treatment, hepatitis C counts as cured when HCV RNA is still undetectable 12 weeks or more after the treatment ended. Studies often accept people cured this way.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Creatinine clearance (CrCl)
How quickly the kidneys clear creatinine, a waste product, from the blood. A study may estimate it from a blood test with age, weight and sex (often by the Cockcroft–Gault formula), or measure it using blood and urine collected over a set time. Given in mL/min; higher is better.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
HIV
The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.
Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Standard R-CHOP 21 treatment regimen: 6 cycles R-CHOP 21 (rituximab\*, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisolone) \*The use of a biosimilar is allowed.
Drug: Rituximab · Drug: Cyclophosphamide · Drug: Doxorubicin · Drug: Vincristine · Drug: Prednisolone · Drug: Lenalidomide · Drug: Pegfilgrastim
Addition of the cardioprotectant dexrazoxane to the R-CHOP 21 regimen: R-CHOP21 (rituximab\*, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisolone plus dexrazoxane). \*The use of a biosimilar is allowed.
Drug: Dexrazoxane · Drug: Rituximab · Drug: Cyclophosphamide · Drug: Doxorubicin · Drug: Vincristine · Drug: Prednisolone · Drug: Lenalidomide · Drug: Pegfilgrastim
Day 1 Cycle 1-6: Dexrazoxane 500 mg/m2 (iv) will be given 30 minutes before doxorubicin infusion and should be infused during 15 minutes.
Also known as: Cardioxane
Day 1 Cycle 1-6: 375 mg/m2 (iv)
Day 1 Cycle 1-6: 750 mg/m2 (iv)
Day 1 Cycle 1-6: 50 mg/m2 (iv)
Day 1 Cycle 1-6: 1.4 mg/m2 (max 2 mg) (iv)
Day 1-5 Cycle 1-6: 100 mg (oral)
Day 1-14 Cycle 1-6: 15 mg day (oral) Only in case of a double hit lymphoma.
Also known as: Revlimid
6 mg (1 dose per cycle) in case of neutropenia. Pegfilgastim is mandatory in patients that receive R2-CHOP21.
Also known as: Pegfilgastim
The incidence of AICD.
The incidence of AICD (measured with 2D) within 12 months after registration is reported in the eCRF.
Time frame: 12 months after LPI
Complete Metabolic Remission.
Complete metabolic remission (CMR) on 18F-FDG PET-CT at end of treatment 6-8 weeks after completion of 6x R-CHOP21 is reported in the eCRF.
Time frame: 12 months after LPI
Overall survival (OS).
Overall survival (OS) at 12-months is reported in the eCRF.
Time frame: 12 months after LPI
Progression-free survival.
Progression-free survival (PFS) at 12-months is reported in the eCRF.
Time frame: 12 months after LPI
LVEF and global longitudinal strain (GLS).
LVEF (2D and 3D) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) at end of treatment and 12-months after start of treatment is reported in the eCRF.
Time frame: 12 months after LPI
NYHA.
NYHA functional class is reported in the eCRF.
Time frame: 12 months after LPI
Cardiac biomarkers.
Release of cardiac biomarkers. At entry, after every cyle of R-CHOP, at EOT and FU. CK (if available); CK-MB (if available) \& (hs)Troponin T/I (assay according to local practice). Items are reported in the eCRF.
Time frame: 12 months after LPI
Quality of Life.
To analyse the impact of the addition of dexrazoxane on QoL via validated questionaires such as QLQ-C30, NHL-HG29, PRO-CTCAE. Data are collected.
Time frame: 12 months after LPI
Safety and toxicity.
Safety and toxicity as defined by type, frequency and severity of adverse events as defined by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0
Time frame: 12 months after LPI
Secondary malignancies.
Incidence of secondary malignancies.
Time frame: 12 months after LPI
Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events.
Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE) at 1-, 2-, 5- and 10-years.
Time frame: 1- 2-, 5- and 10 years
Plan to share: Yes — According to the current publication policy the protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan (SAP) will be shared. The Principal Investigators can be contacted for IPD sharing after the publication of the study results. According to the 'HOVON Sample and/or Data request Form' the HOVON director; chair of the lymphoma working group, the study PI and Coordinating Investigator should approve data/sample sharing.
Supporting information: Study protocol, Statistical analysis plan
Time frame: After the publication of primary endpoint analysis.
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Studies of the drug tested here: Dexrazoxane
Stichting Hemato-Oncologie voor Volwassenen Nederland