ClinicalTrials.gg
RecruitingNCT07917780CLLRT2Updated Nov 5, 2026

A Prospective, Open-label, Randomized, Multicenter Phase-III Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of Pirtobrutinib and Epcoritamab Compared With R-(Mini)-CHOP for Treatment of Patients With DLBCL-type Richter Transformation

A Phase 2 interventional study of Epcoritamab and Pirtobrutinib in Richter Transformation, sponsored by German CLL Study Group. Recruiting at 12 sites in 5 countries. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-05.

Sponsored by German CLL Study Group · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Registered 4 months after the study started (first participant enrolled Jun 2026, registered Oct 2026).
  • Started Jun 2026; still recruiting 4 months later.
Updated Nov 5, 2026Newly registeredGo to Updates ↓
Phase
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
116
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The aim of the trial is to Evaluate the Efficacy of Pirtobrutinib and Epcoritamab Compared With R-(Mini)-CHOP for Treatment of Patients With DLBCL-type Richter Transformation

Read the detailed description

This trial is a phase 2 study and - according to the definitions of the ICH Harmonized Tripartite Guide-line E8 - a therapeutic exploratory type of study, which is designed as a prospective, multicenter, open label trial. The trial aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of a fixed-duration treatment ap-proach in patients aged 80 years or older and/or those exhibiting symptoms of frailty.

02

Conditions studied

  • Richter Transformation
03

In context

Lead sponsor

German CLL Study Group is the lead sponsor of 39 studies on the registry; 6 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

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.

Inclusion criteria

  1. Age ≥80 years OR considered frail defined by a frailty score of >2 on the FRAIL scale via the patient´s assessment
  2. Has documented treatment-naïve CLL or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) according to iwCLL 2018 criteria3
  3. CLL/SLL requiring treatment according to the iwCLL 2018 criteria3
  4. Adequate marrow function independent of growth factor or transfusion support within 2 weeks of screening as follows, unless cytopenia is due to marrow involvement of CLL:

    • ≥ 1.0 × 10\^9/L
    • counts ≥ 30 × 10\^9/L; in cases of thrombocytopenia clearly due to marrow in-volvement of CLL (per the discretion of the investigator); platelet count should be ≥ 10 × 10\^9/L if there is bone marrow involvement
    • Total ≥ 9 g/dL (without transfusion support, unless anaemia is due to mar-row involvement of CLL)
  5. Adequate liver function as indicated by a total , , and ALT ≤2 times the institutional (ULN) value unless directly attributable to the patient's CLL or Gilbert's syndrome
  6. Adequate renal function defined by a value ≥30 mL/min, determined either by directly measured with a 24-hour urine collection or via estimated calculated according to the CKD-EPI equation or Cystatin C measurements (e.g. in sarcopenic patients).
  7. Negative serological testing for (HBsAg negative and anti-HBc negative; patients positive for anti-HBc may be included if PCR for HBV DNA is negative and HBV-DNA PCR is performed repeatedly until 6 months after last month of treatment), negative testing for hepa-titis C RNA within 6 weeks prior to registration
  8. ≥ 3 months
  9. In case of a recent previous (i.e. debulking) treatment, patients must have recovered from acute toxicities and treatment regimen must be stopped within the following time periods be-fore start of the study treatment in the CLL-Frail2 trial:

    • chemotherapy ≥ 28 days
    • antibody treatment ≥ 14 days
    • may be applied until the start of the study therapy; these have to be re-duced to an equivalent of ≤ 20mg prednisolone per day during treatment
  10. Signed and, in the investigator's judgment, able to comply with the study protocol
  11. Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent and to adhere to the study visit schedule and other protocol requirements

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • 1. Previous CLL-directed therapies 2. Transformation of CLL to aggressive NHL (Richter's transformation or pro-lymphocytic leu-kaemia) 3. Patients with a history of confirmed progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) 4. Uncontrolled condition 5. other than CLL currently requiring systemic therapies (unless the malignant dis-ease is in a stable remission at the discretion of the treating physician) 6. Uncontrolled infection currently requiring systemic treatment 7. Any serious medical condition or abnormality in clinical laboratory tests that, in the investiga-tor's judgment, precludes the patient's safe participation in and completion of the study 8. Requirement of treatment with any moderate or strong inhibitor or strong CYP3A4 inducer (≤ 14 days or 5 half-lives, whichever is shorter) before the first dose of study drug, or requiring ongoing treatment with a moderate or strong CYP3A inhibitor or a strong CYP3A in-ducer.

    9. Requirement of therapy with phenprocoumon or other vitamin K antagonists 10. Known active infection with , or serologic status reflecting active or C infection as follows:

    • Presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb). Patients with presence of HBcAb, but absence of HBsAg, are eligible if hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA is undetectable (\< 20 IU), and if they are willing to undergo monitoring for HBV reactivation
    • Presence of virus (HCV) antibody. Patients with presence of HCV antibody are eligible if HCV RNA is undetectable 11. Major surgery within 4 weeks of the first dose of study drug 12. Any uncontrolled or cardiovascular disease including the following:
    • class III or IV congestive heart failure
    • History of clinically significant arrhythmias (eg, sustained ventricular tachycardia, ventricu-lar fibrillation, torsades de pointes) 13. History of severe bleeding disorder such as hemophilia A, hemophilia B, von Willebrand dis-ease if not CLL/SLL related, or history of spontaneous bleeding requiring blood transfusion or other medical intervention 14. Unable to swallow capsules or disease significantly affecting gastrointestinal function such as malabsorption syndrome, resection of the stomach or small bowel, bariatric surgery proce-dures, symptomatic inflammatory bowel disease, or partial or complete bowel obstruction.

      15. Use of agents, e.g. monoclonal antibodies or other experimental drugs within clinical trials, which might interfere with the study drug within 28 days (or 5 times half-life [t1/2] of the compound, whichever is longer) prior to registration 16. Known to zanubrutinib or sonrotoclax or any of the 17. Pregnant women and nursing mothers (a negative pregnancy test is required for all women of within 7 days before start of treatment) 18. Fertile men or women of childbearing potential unless:

    • surgically sterile or ≥ 2 years after the onset of menopause, or
    • willing to use two methods of reliable including one highly effective contra-ceptive method (Pearl Index \<1) and one additional effective (barrier) method during study treatment and for 7 days after sonrotoclax and 30 days after zanubrutinib respec-tively 19. Vaccination with a \<28 days prior to registration 20. Legal incapacity 21. Prisoners or subjects who are institutionalized by regulatory or court order 22. Persons who are in dependence to the sponsor or an investigator
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(25)

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.

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.

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.

Hemoglobin (Hb)

The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. A low level is anaemia, which can cause tiredness and breathlessness. Measured in g/dL or g/L (9 g/dL is 90 g/L).

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.

ALT and AST (liver enzymes)

Two enzymes measured in a routine blood test of the liver. Higher levels can mean the liver is under strain or damaged. SGPT and SGOT are older names for ALT and AST.

Criteria usually give a limit as a multiple of the upper limit of normal (ULN), often higher when cancer has spread to the liver.

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.

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.

GFR and eGFR (kidney filtering)

GFR (glomerular filtration rate) is how much blood the kidneys filter each minute. It is usually estimated from a blood test — eGFR, by formulas such as CKD-EPI or MDRD — and some studies ask for it to be measured directly instead. Usually given in mL/min/1.73 m².

Check the method, the units and the minimum the study states. A value of 90 or above is in the normal-or-high range, but kidney damage can show in other tests too.

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.

Life expectancy

The study doctor’s estimate of how long someone is likely to live. Criteria use it so that people can stay in the study long enough for it to answer its question.

Corticosteroids (steroids)

Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.

Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.

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.

Autoimmune disease

A condition in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease.

Immunotherapy studies often leave out active autoimmune disease, and some name exceptions, such as thyroid disease on replacement hormone. Check the exceptions this study lists.

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.

CYP3A (CYP3A4) inhibitors and inducers

CYP3A is a group of enzymes, mainly CYP3A4, in the liver and gut that break down many medicines. Some medicines, supplements and foods (grapefruit, St John’s wort) slow them down or speed them up, which changes how much of a study drug stays in the body.

Studies list them so they can be avoided or switched; bring a list of everything you take, including supplements.

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.

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.

Clinically significant

Judged by the study doctor to matter for your health or for the study. It is a doctor’s decision, so ask the study team if you are unsure whether something counts.

NYHA class (heart failure)

The New York Heart Association’s four classes of how much heart failure limits physical activity.

I
No limits: ordinary activity causes no undue tiredness or breathlessness.
II
Slight limits: comfortable at rest, ordinary activity causes symptoms.
III
Marked limits: comfortable at rest, less than ordinary activity causes symptoms.
IV
Symptoms even at rest; any activity makes them worse.

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.

Investigational drug or device

A drug or device being studied in a clinical trial.

It may be new, or already approved and being studied for another use, dose or form. Criteria often leave out people who took part in another study of one within a recent period, commonly 30 days or five half-lives.

Hypersensitivity

An allergy, or another reaction of the immune system, to a substance. “Hypersensitivity to the study drug” means a known allergic reaction to it — not every side effect a medicine can have.

Excipients

The other ingredients in a medicine besides the active drug, such as fillers, colours or preservatives.

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.

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.

Live vaccines

Vaccines made with a weakened form of the germ, such as measles–mumps–rubella (MMR), chickenpox and yellow fever. They can be risky when the immune system is weakened. Flu injections are not live; the nasal flu spray is.

05

Study design

Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
116 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Arm A: R-(mini)-CHOP

    Cycle 1-6 Day 1: Cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2 iv Doxorubicin 50 mg/m2 iv Vincristine 1.4 mg/m2 (max 2 mg) iv Rituximab 375 mg/m2 iv Day 1-5: Prednisolone 100 mg po If R-CHOP-ineligible\*, R-mini-CHOP3 is administered: Cycle 1-6 Day 1: Cyclophosphamide 400 mg/m2 iv Doxorubicin 25 mg/m2 iv Vincristine 1 mg iv Rituximab 375 mg/m2 iv or sc Day 1-5: Prednisolone 100 mg po

    Drug: Cyclophosphamide · Drug: Doxorubicin · Drug: Vincristine · Drug: Rituximab

  • Experimental
    Arm B: Epcoritamab-Pirtobrutinib

    12 cycles: Cycle 1 Day 1-21: Pirtobrutinib 200 mg QD po Day 1: Epcoritamab 0.16 mg sc Day 8: Epcoritamab 0.8 mg sc Day 15: Epcoritamab 48 mg sc Cycle 2-4 Day 1-21: Pirtobrutinib 200 mg QD po Day 1, 8, 15: Epcoritamab 48 mg sc Cycle 5+6 Day 1-21: Pirtobrutinib 200 mg QD po Day 1: Epcoritamab 48 mg sc Cycle 7-12: Day 1-28: Pirtobrutinib 200 mg QD po Day 1: Epcoritamab 48 mg sc For patients with CR, PR or SD after 12 cycles (=EO\[C\]T), maintenance treatment with pirtobrutinib 200 mg QD until unacceptable toxicity, disease progression or allogeneic stem cell transplantation will be offered.

    Biological: Epcoritamab · Drug: Pirtobrutinib

Interventions

  • BiologicalEpcoritamab

    Cycle 1 Day 1-21: Pirtobrutinib 200 mg QD po Day 1: Epcoritamab 0.16 mg sc Day 8: Epcoritamab 0.8 mg sc Day 15: Epcoritamab 48 mg sc Cycle 2-28 Epcoritamab 48 mg sc

    Also known as: Epkinly®

  • Pirtobrutinib 200 mg QD po

    Also known as: Jaypirca®

  • 750 mg/m2 iv (R-CHOP) or 400 mg/m2 iv (R-mini-CHOP)

  • 50 mg/m2 iv (R-CHOP) or 25 mg/m2 iv (R-mini-CHOP)

  • 1.4 mg/m2 iv (R-CHOP) or 1 mg/m2 iv (R-mini-CHOP)

  • 375 mg/m2 iv (R-CHOP) or 375 mg/m2 iv or sc (R-mini-CHOP)

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. PFS

    Investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS) according to Lugano criteria

    Time frame: approx. 40 months after first subject in

Secondary outcomes

  1. ORR

    Overall response rate (ORR) at the end of (combination) treatment according to Lugano criteria

    Time frame: approx. 40 months after first subject in

  2. CRR

    Complete response rate (CRR) at the end of (combination) treatment according to Lugano criteria

    Time frame: approx. 40 months after first subject in

  3. Best response according to Lugano criteria

    Best response according to Lugano criteria

    Time frame: approx. 40 months after first subject in

  4. Undetectable minimal residual disease (uMRD)

    Undetectable minimal residual disease (uMRD) rates in peripheral blood at the end of (combination) treatment

    Time frame: approx. 40 months after first subject in

  5. DOR

    Duration of response (DOR) according to Lugano criteria

    Time frame: approx. 40 months after first subject in

  6. Overall survival (OS)

    Overall survival (OS)

    Time frame: approx. 40 months after first subject in

  7. TTNT

    Time to next treatment (TTNT)

    Time frame: approx. 40 months after first subject in

  8. TFS

    Treatment-free survival (TFS)

    Time frame: approx. 40 months after first subject in

  9. SCT

    Proportion of patients receiving allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) for consolidation

    Time frame: approx. 40 months after first subject in

07

Study locations

7 of 12 sites recruiting
08

Updates

1 registry update since Sep 25, 2026
Registered
First appeared on the registry. No changes since
Nov 5, 2026
Show all 1 update
  1. Nov 5, 2026
    First appeared on the registry

From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

09

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07917780
Lead sponsor
German CLL Study Group
Collaborators
Cancer Trials Ireland (CTI), The Australasian Leukaemia & Lymphoma Group (ALLG), Fondazione GIMEMA, Nordic CLL Study Group
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Nov 5, 2026
Start date
Jun 18, 2026
Primary completion
May 15, 2030 (estimated)
Completion
May 15, 2030 (estimated)
Last update
Nov 5, 2026

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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Studies of the drugs tested here: Epcoritamab · Pirtobrutinib

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