Dr Tycel Philips discusses six major abstracts in lymphoma from ASCO 2026
Several important lymphoma studies presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago provided new data across newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory disease settings. The studies spanned aggressive B-cell lymphomas and classic Hodgkin lymphoma, evaluating novel antibody-based combinations, epigenetic targeting strategies and chemotherapy-sparing approaches. Below, touchHEMATOLOGY Editorial Board member Dr Tycel Phillips (City of Hope Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, USA) provides his expert insights into the six most important studies of the meeting.
touchHEMATOLOGY coverage of ASCO 2026
frontMIND
→ Abstract LBA7000: Lenz G, Trněný M, Burke JM, et al. frontMIND: Phase 3 study of tafasitamab (Tafa) plus lenalidomide (Len) and R-CHOP for patients (pts) with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Presented at: ASCO, Chicago, IL, USA. May 29 to June 2, 2026.
The phase 3 frontMIND study (NCT04824092) evaluated tafasitamab plus lenalidomide and R-CHOP (Tafa-Len-R-CHOP) versus standard R-CHOP in 899 patients with newly diagnosed, high-risk diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) or high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBL). After a median follow-up of 35.2 months, the primary endpoint was met. Tafa-Len-R-CHOP significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) compared with R-CHOP, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.75 (95% CI 0.59–0.96; p=0.019). Among patients with centrally confirmed lymphoma subtypes (n=773), the PFS HR was 0.68 (95% CI 0.52–0.88), with a 24-month PFS of 72.7% versus 62.2% for R-CHOP. Event-free survival was also improved, while complete response and overall response rates were similar between treatment arms. Grade ≥3 treatment-emergent adverse events occurred more frequently with Tafa-Len-R-CHOP than with R-CHOP (86.7% versus 76.1%), and treatment discontinuations due to adverse events were also more common. Overall survival data remain immature, with final analysis planned at five years.
Key Clinical Takeaway
The frontMIND study demonstrates that adding tafasitamab and lenalidomide to R-CHOP can improve PFS in newly diagnosed high-risk DLBCL and HGBL. While the regimen increased toxicity compared with standard R-CHOP, the results suggest a potential new frontline option for selected patients pending longer-term survival follow-up and further assessment of benefit across molecular subtypes.
SUNMO, STARGLO and POLARGO
→ Abstract 7093: Matasar M, Westin J, Abramson JS, et al. Multivariable analyses (MVAs) of overall survival (OS) in the phase 3 SUNMO, STARGLO, and POLARGO trials in relapsed/refractory large Bcell lymphoma (LBCL). Presented at: ASCO, Chicago, IL, USA. May 29 to June 2, 2026. . Presented at: ASCO, Chicago, IL, USA. May 29 to June 2, 2026.
Investigators presented multivariable analyses (MVAs) of overall survival from three phase 3 studies in relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL): SUNMO (NCT05171647), STARGLO (NCT04408638) and POLARGO (NCT04182204). The analyses were designed to account for baseline imbalances that may influence interpretation of treatment outcomes.
In SUNMO, patients receiving mosunetuzumab plus polatuzumab vedotin (Mosun-Pola) had a greater burden of adverse prognostic features, including poorer performance status and more bulky disease, than those receiving rituximab plus gemcitabine and oxaliplatin (R-GemOx). After adjustment for these factors, the overall survival HR improved from 0.80 (95% CI 0.54–1.20) to 0.65 (95% CI 0.41–1.02).
Adjusted analyses in POLARGO also favoured the experimental regimen compared with unadjusted analyses, while findings in STARGLO remained largely unchanged. A pooled analysis incorporating data from SUNMO and a phase 2 mosunetuzumab/polatuzumab study further supported an overall survival benefit for Mosun-Pola versus R-GemOx, with an adjusted HR of 0.59 (95% CI 0.44–0.81).
Dr Phillips commented, “These data showed response in both relapsed and refractory with superior outcomes in the relapsed setting. This demonstrates a potential option for older patients who are unable to/ineligible for CAR-T therapy.”
Key Clinical Takeaway
These analyses suggest that accounting for baseline patient characteristics may strengthen the observed survival benefit associated with newer combination approaches in relapsed/refractory LBCL. The findings also highlight the importance of multivariable adjustment when comparing outcomes across studies or interpreting pooled datasets.
PRIMAVERA
→ Abstract 7003: Derenzini E, Morschhauser F, Ribrag V, et al. A phase 1 study of the PRMT5 inhibitor AZD3470 in patients with relapsed/refractory classic Hodgkin lymphoma (PRIMAVERA). Presented at: ASCO, Chicago, IL, USA. May 29 to June 2, 2026. Presented at: ASCO, Chicago, IL, USA. May 29 to June 2, 2026
The phase 1 PRIMAVERA study (NCT06137144) evaluated AZD3470, a first-in-class MTA-cooperative PRMT5 inhibitor, in heavily pretreated patients with relapsed/refractory classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). The rationale for the study is based on the observation that more than 80% of cHL tumours are deficient in methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP), potentially making them susceptible to PRMT5 inhibition. At the November 2025 data cut-off, 39 patients had received AZD3470 across escalating dose levels. Patients were heavily pretreated, having received a median of six prior lines of therapy; all had previously received brentuximab vedotin and anti-PD-1 therapy. Treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 85% of patients and were predominantly grade 1 or 2. Grade ≥3 adverse events occurred in 28% of patients, and no dose-limiting toxicities, treatment discontinuations or treatment-related deaths were reported. Among 31 efficacy-evaluable patients, 14 achieved an objective response. Responses appeared dose-dependent, with patients treated at dose levels ≥7 achieving an objective response rate of 80% and a complete response rate of 50%.
Key Clinical Takeaway
Early findings suggest that AZD3470 has manageable toxicity and encouraging antitumour activity in a population with limited treatment options after brentuximab vedotin and checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Further dose optimisation and longer follow-up will be needed to better define its role in relapsed/refractory cHL.
Epcoritamab plus R-mini-CVP in older or anthracycline-ineligible patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL
→ Abstract 7002: Chihara C, Chauhan A, Lin R, et al. Phase 2 trial of epcoritamab in combination with rituximab-mini CVP for older unfit/frail or anthracycline-ineligible adult patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: Interim futility analysis. Presented at: ASCO, Chicago, IL, USA. May 29 to June 2, 2026.
Investigators reported an interim futility analysis from a phase 2 study (NCT06045247) evaluating epcoritamab in combination with rituximab-mini-CVP (R-mini-CVP) in older, frail or anthracycline-ineligible patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL. Twenty-two patients had completed six cycles of therapy at the time of analysis. The median age was 80 years, 27% had performance status 2 and 86% had an International Prognostic Index score of at least 3, reflecting a clinically vulnerable population. The complete response rate after six cycles was 86% (95% CI 65–97%). Two patients achieved partial responses and continued treatment with epcoritamab. With a median follow-up of 11 months, the estimated 1-year progression-free survival was 94.7% (95% CI 68–99%). Cytokine release syndrome occurred in 55% of patients, but all events were grade 1 and resolved within 1–2 days. One patient experienced grade 2 neurotoxicity, which resolved within 24 hours following a protocol modification involving dexamethasone prophylaxis.
Key Clinical Takeaway
The combination of epcoritamab and R-mini-CVP produced high response rates and a manageable safety profile in a patient population that often cannot tolerate standard anthracycline-containing regimens. Although the data remain early and derive from a single-centre study, they support further evaluation in a larger multicentre trial.
This content has been developed independently by Touch Medical Media for touchHEMATOLOGY in collaboration with Dr Tycel Philips. Views expressed are the speaker’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Touch Medical Media.
Disclosure: Tycel Philips is a consultant for Abbvie, Astra Zeneca, Xencor, Caribou, Genentech, Incyte, Gilead/KITE, Janssen (trial design), Pfizer (advise on clinical trial data and future design), Ipsen (advise on clinical trial data and future design), BMS (advise on clinical trial data and future design) and Johnson and Johnson. He has received grant/research support from Abbvie, Genentech and Sobi. He is a member of the Advisory Board for Abbvie, Celgene/BMS, Eli Lily, Beigene, ADCT, Seattle Genetics/Pfizer, Merck (advises on clinical trial results and future), Genmab, Genentech and Pharmacyclics.
Cite: Lymphoma at ASCO 2026: Six key abstracts. touchHEMATOLOGY. 13th June 2026.
Editor: Sophie Nickelson, Editorial Director
