| Real-world use of polatuzumab vedotin combined with bendamustine and rituximab for patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma |
Changgon Kim1, Sang Eun Yoon2, Hyun-Young Kim3, Duck Cho3, Junhun Cho4, Won Seog Kim2, and Seok Jin Kim2,5
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1Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
2Division of Hematology- Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
3Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
4Department of Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
5Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute of Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea |
Corresponding Author:
Seok Jin Kim , Tel: +82-2-3410-1766, Fax: +82-2-3410-1754, Email: kstwoh@skku.edu
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Received: August 18, 2025; Revised: September 24, 2025; Accepted: October 14, 2025. |
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| Abstract |
Background/Aims: Polatuzumab vedotin combined with bendamustine and rituximab (Pola-BR) is a treatment option for relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL), particularly as bridging therapy before chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell infusion. However, real-world data regarding its feasibility, efficacy, and safety in Korean patients are limited.
Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective study of 52 patients with R/R DLBCL treated with Pola-BR between April 2021 and April 2024. Patients were categorized into three groups: salvage (n = 26), post-CAR T (n = 13), and bridging (n = 13). The primary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR) and complete response (CR) rate; progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety were secondary endpoints.
Results: The overall ORR was 51.9% (27/52), with 36.5% (19/52) of the patients achieving CR. The ORRs were 46.2%, 53.8%, and 61.5% in the salvage, post-CAR T, and bridging groups, respectively, with corresponding CR rates of 30.8%, 38.5%, and 46.2%. The bridging group achieved the highest response rates despite receiving a median of only one cycle, and patients with fewer prior treatment lines demonstrated superior responses. Grade 3-4 hematologic toxicities occurred in nearly all post-CAR T (100%) and salvage (92.3%) patients but were significantly lower in the bridging group (46.2%).
Conclusions: Pola-BR provided meaningful disease control in patients with R/R DLBCL. Its use as a bridging therapy before CAR T-cell infusion was associated with high response rates, favorable safety, and a successful transition to cellular therapy, underscoring its value as a practical option in this setting. |
| Keywords:
Polatuzumab vedotin ; Lymphoma, large B-cell ; Diffuse ; Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy ; Salvage therapy |
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