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NCT04182204: POLARGO

A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Polatuzumab Vedotin in Combination With Rituximab, Gemcitabine and Oxaliplatin Compared to Rituximab, Gemcitabine and Oxaliplatin Alone in Participants With Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Completed Phase 3 Results posted Last updated 22 December 2025
What this trial tests

Phase 3 trial testing Polatuzumab Vedotin in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in 270 participants. Completed in 29 November 2024.

Timeline
7 February 2020
Primary endpoint
29 November 2024
29 November 2024

Quick facts

Lead sponsorHoffmann-La Roche
PhasePhase 3
StatusCompleted
Study typeINTERVENTIONAL
Allocationrandomized
Designparallel
Maskingnone
Primary purposetreatment
Enrollment270
Start date7 February 2020
Primary completion29 November 2024
Estimated completion29 November 2024
Sites62 locations across France, Italy, Finland, Greece, Ireland, United Kingdom, Germany, Mexico

Drugs / interventions tested

Conditions studied

Sponsor

Hoffmann-La Roche — full company profile →

Who can join

18 and older, any sex, with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Results — posted to ClinicalTrials.gov

Per-arm endpoint measurements with 95% confidence intervals where reported. Source: trial results section.

Stage 1: Number of Participants With Adverse Events (AEs) Primary · From treatment initiation until 90 days after the last dose of study drug or initiation of non-protocol-specified anti-lymphoma treatment (NALT) (Up to approximately 8.3 months)

An AE was any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical investigation participant administered a pharmaceutical product, regardless of causal attribution. An AE can therefore be any unfavorable and unintended sign (including an abnormal laboratory finding), symptom, or disease temporally associated with the use of a medicinal product, whether or not considered related to the medicinal product.

GroupValue95% CI
Stage 1: Pola-R-GemOx14
Stage 1: Number of Participants With Peripheral Neuropathy (PN) Primary · From treatment initiation until 90 days after the last dose of study drug or initiation of NALT (Up to approximately 8.3 months)

An AE was any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical investigation participant administered a pharmaceutical product, regardless of causal attribution. An AE can therefore be any unfavorable and unintended sign (including an abnormal laboratory finding), symptom, or disease temporally associated with the use of a medicinal product, whether or not considered related to the medicinal product. Participants receiving polatuzumab vedotin may develop PN, including peripheral sensory and/or motor neuropathy. Symptoms included hypoesthesia, hyperesthesia, paresthesia, dysesthesia, discomfort, a bur

GroupValue95% CI
Stage 1: Pola-R-GemOx8
Stage 2: Overall Survival (OS) Primary · From randomization to death (Up to approximately 34 months)

OS was defined as the time from randomization to the death from any cause during the study. Participants who were not reported as having died at the time of analysis were censored at the date when they were last known to be alive. Participants who did not have post-baseline information were censored at the date of randomization. Kaplan-Meier (KM) method was used to estimate median OS for each treatment arm.

GroupValue95% CI
Stage 2: R-GemOx12.58.9 – 15.8
Stage 2: Pola-R-GemOx19.513.3 – NA
Stage 1 and Stage 2: Progression-free Survival (PFS) Secondary · From randomization to first occurrence of PD or death (Up to approximately 34 months)

PFS=time from randomization to the first occurrence of disease progression (PD) (based on either: PET-CT data/not including any PET data), as determined by investigator, per Lugano response criteria or death due to any cause, whichever occurs first. PD based on PET-CT data=score 4 (uptake moderately \> liver) or 5 (uptake markedly higher than liver \&/or new lesions) on 5-point scale (5PS) with an increase in intensity of uptake from baseline at individual target nodes/nodal masses and/or new FDG-avid foci extranodal lesions consistent with lymphoma at interim or end-of-treatment assessment. N

GroupValue95% CI
Stage 1: Pola-R-GemOx3.93.0 – 6.3
Stage 2: R-GemOx2.72.4 – 3.3
Stage 2: Pola-R-GemOx7.46.2 – 11.7
Stage 2: Complete Response Rate (CRR), as Determined by an Independent Review Committee (IRC) at the End of Treatment Secondary · Up to approximately 8.5 months

CRR was defined as the percentage of participants who had a complete metabolic response (CMR) based on positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) according to Lugano response criteria at the end of treatment as determined by IRC. CMR was defined as score 1, 2, or 3 (1=no uptake above background; 2=uptake ≤ mediastinum; 3=uptake \>mediastinum but ≤ liver) with or without a residual mass on 5PS at lymph nodes and extra lymphatic sites. In Waldeyer's ring or extranodal sites with high physiologic uptake or with activation within spleen or marrow (e.g., with chemotherapy/myeloid col

GroupValue95% CI
Stage 2: R-GemOx19.012.60 – 27.00
Stage 2: Pola-R-GemOx40.331.77 – 49.30
Stage 2: Objective Response Rate (ORR) as Determined by an IRC at End of Treatment Secondary · Up to approximately 8.5 months

ORR=percentage of participants with CMR/partial metabolic responses (PMR), based on PET-CT per Lugano response criteria as per an IRC. CMR=score 1, 2, or 3 with/ without a residual mass on 5PS at lymph nodes (LN) \& extra lymphatic sites. In Waldeyer's ring or extra nodal sites with high physiologic uptake or with activation within spleen/marrow, uptake may be greater than normal mediastinum \&/or liver. In this case, CMR was inferred if uptake at sites of initial involvement was no greater than surrounding normal tissue even if the tissue had high physiologic uptake; no new lesions \& no evid

GroupValue95% CI
Stage 2: R-GemOx24.617.37 – 33.07
Stage 2: Pola-R-GemOx52.743.74 – 61.56
Stage 1 and Stage 2: Percentage of Participants With Best Overall Response (BOR) as Determined by the Investigator Secondary · Up to approximately 34 months

BOR was defined as the best response while on study (based on PET-CT or CT data) according to Lugano response criteria, as determined by the investigator. CMR and PMR based on PET-CT data were defined as outlined in the ORR outcome measure (OM) number 8. CT-based complete radiologic response was defined as target lymphatic nodes/nodal masses regression to ≤ 1.5 centimeters (cm) in longest transverse diameter of a lesion (LDi); no extralymphatic sites of disease; absence of non-measured lesion; enlarged organs regress to normal; no new lesions and bone marrow normal by morphology, if indetermin

GroupValue95% CI
Stage 1: Pola-R-GemOx46.721.27 – 73.41
Stage 2: R-GemOx34.926.65 – 43.92
Stage 2: Pola-R-GemOx65.156.23 – 73.29
Stage 1 and Stage 2: CRR as Determined by the Investigator at End of Treatment Secondary · Stage 1: Up to approximately 6.2 months and Stage 2: Up to approximately 8.5 months

CRR was defined as the percentage of participants who had CMR based positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) according to Lugano response criteria at the end of treatment as determined by investigator. CMR was defined as score 1, 2, or 3 (1=no uptake above background; 2=uptake ≤ mediastinum; 3=uptake \>mediastinum but ≤ liver) with or without a residual mass on 5PS at lymph nodes and extra lymphatic sites. In Waldeyer's ring or extranodal sites with high physiologic uptake or with activation within spleen or marrow (e.g., with chemotherapy/myeloid colony-stimulating factors),

GroupValue95% CI
Stage 1: Pola-R-GemOx20.04.33 – 48.09
Stage 2: R-GemOx18.311.94 – 26.12
Stage 2: Pola-R-GemOx35.727.42 – 44.57
Stage 1 and Stage 2: ORR as Determined by the Investigator at End of Treatment Secondary · Stage 1: Up to approximately 6.2 months and Stage 2: Up to approximately 8.5 months

ORR=percentage of participants with CMR/PMR, based on PET-CT as determined by investigator per Lugano response criteria. CMR=score 1, 2, or 3 with/ without a residual mass on 5PS at LN \& extra lymphatic sites. In Waldeyer's ring or extra nodal sites with high physiologic uptake or with activation within spleen/marrow, uptake may be greater than normal mediastinum \&/or liver. In this case, CMR was inferred if uptake at sites of initial involvement was no greater than surrounding normal tissue even if the tissue had high physiologic uptake; no new lesions \& no evidence of FDG-avid disease in

GroupValue95% CI
Stage 1: Pola-R-GemOx26.77.79 – 55.10
Stage 2: R-GemOx24.617.37 – 33.07
Stage 2: Pola-R-GemOx45.036.20 – 53.96
Stage 2: Duration of Response (DOR) Secondary · Up to approximately 34 months

DOR=time from the date of the first occurrence of a documented objective response (complete or partial response \[CR/PR\]) (based on PET-CT or CT data) as determined by the investigator, using Lugano response criteria, until PD (based on either response: including PET-CT data or not including any PET data) or death, whichever occurred first. CMR and PMR based on PET-CT data were defined as outlined in the ORR OM. CT-based complete and partial response were defined as outlined in the BOR OM. PD defined as outlined in the PFS OM.

GroupValue95% CI
Stage 2: R-GemOx8.53.7 – 26.9
Stage 2: Pola-R-GemOx11.88.6 – 15.5
Stage 1 and Stage 2: Event-free Survival (EFSeff) Secondary · Up to approximately 34 months

EFSeff was defined as the time from randomization to first to the earliest occurrence of the following: PD or relapse using Lugano response criteria (based on either response: including PET-CT data or not including any PET data); death due to any cause or initiation of any NALT. PD based on PET-CT data was defined as score 4 or 5 on 5PS with an increase in intensity of uptake from baseline at individual target nodes/nodal masses and/or new FDG-avid foci extranodal lesions consistent with lymphoma at interim or end-of-treatment assessment. New lesions: New FDG-avid foci consistent with lymphoma

GroupValue95% CI
Stage 1: Pola-R-GemOx3.93.2 – 6.3
Stage 2: R-GemOx2.72.5 – 3.3
Stage 2: Pola-R-GemOx6.85.9 – 9.3
Stage 2: Time to Deterioration in Physical Functioning as Measured by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Questionnaire, Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) Secondary · Up to approximately 34 months

Time to deterioration was defined as the time from randomization to the first documentation of a 10-point decrease in EORTC QLQ-C30 physical functioning scale. EORTC QLQ-C30 consists of 30 questions assessing five aspects of participant functioning (physical, emotional, role, cognitive, and social), three symptom scales (fatigue, nausea and vomiting, pain), global health status and quality of life (GHS/QoL), and six single items (dyspnea, insomnia, appetite loss, constipation, diarrhea, and financial difficulties). The functioning items were scored on a 4-point scale that ranged from "not at a

GroupValue95% CI
Stage 2: R-GemOx2.81.4 – 3.0
Stage 2: Pola-R-GemOx8.14.2 – NA

Adverse events — posted to ClinicalTrials.gov

Time frame: AEs and SAEs: From treatment initiation until 90 days after the last dose of study drug or initiation of NALT (approximately 8.3 months for Stage 1 and 10.6 months for Stage 2). All-cause Mortality: Up to approximately 34 months. Reporting threshold: 5%. Adverse-event reports describe events observed during the trial — not all are caused by the drug.

Stage 1: Pola-R-GemOx
Serious: 2/15 (13%)
Deaths: 9/15
Stage 2: R-GemOx
Serious: 39/125 (31%)
Deaths: 83/125
Stage 2: Pola-R-GemOx
Serious: 49/128 (38%)
Deaths: 68/128
Pola-R-GemOx - Pooled
Serious: 51/143 (36%)
Deaths: 77/143

Serious adverse events (88 terms)

ReactionSystemStage 1: Pola-R-GemOxStage 2: R-GemOxStage 2: Pola-R-GemOxPola-R-GemOx - Pooled
COVID-19 pneumoniaInfections and infestations
COVID-19Infections and infestations
DiarrhoeaGastrointestinal disorders
PneumoniaInfections and infestations
VomitingGastrointestinal disorders
AnaemiaBlood and lymphatic system disorders
Febrile neutropeniaBlood and lymphatic system disorders
PyrexiaGeneral disorders
Platelet count decreasedInvestigations
NeutropeniaBlood and lymphatic system disorders
ThrombocytopeniaBlood and lymphatic system disorders
Cardiac arrestCardiac disorders
TachycardiaCardiac disorders
Lower gastrointestinal haemorrhageGastrointestinal disorders
NauseaGastrointestinal disorders
Pneumonia bacterialInfections and infestations
Neutrophil count decreasedInvestigations
White blood cell count decreasedInvestigations
HyponatraemiaMetabolism and nutrition disorders
MyelosuppressionBlood and lymphatic system disorders
Myocardial infarctionCardiac disorders
Adrenal massEndocrine disorders
Abdominal painGastrointestinal disorders
ColitisGastrointestinal disorders
EnterocolitisGastrointestinal disorders
Other adverse events (67 terms — click to expand)

ReactionSystemStage 1: Pola-R-GemOxStage 2: R-GemOxStage 2: Pola-R-GemOxPola-R-GemOx - Pooled
Neuropathy peripheralNervous system disorders
NauseaGastrointestinal disorders
DiarrhoeaGastrointestinal disorders
AnaemiaBlood and lymphatic system disorders
Platelet count decreasedInvestigations
VomitingGastrointestinal disorders
ThrombocytopeniaBlood and lymphatic system disorders
Aspartate aminotransferase increasedInvestigations
Alanine aminotransferase increasedInvestigations
Decreased appetiteMetabolism and nutrition disorders
Neutrophil count decreasedInvestigations
White blood cell count decreasedInvestigations
NeutropeniaBlood and lymphatic system disorders
ConstipationGastrointestinal disorders
PyrexiaGeneral disorders
FatigueGeneral disorders
CoughRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Weight decreasedInvestigations
HypokalaemiaMetabolism and nutrition disorders
COVID-19Infections and infestations
Lymphocyte count decreasedInvestigations
HeadacheNervous system disorders
HypertensionVascular disorders
AstheniaGeneral disorders
MalaiseGeneral disorders
LeukopeniaBlood and lymphatic system disorders
Blood lactate dehydrogenase increasedInvestigations
ParaesthesiaNervous system disorders
Peripheral sensory neuropathyNervous system disorders
DyspnoeaRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
RashSkin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Abdominal painGastrointestinal disorders
Blood creatinine increasedInvestigations
HyperglycaemiaMetabolism and nutrition disorders
HyperuricaemiaMetabolism and nutrition disorders
HypomagnesaemiaMetabolism and nutrition disorders
Oedema peripheralGeneral disorders
DizzinessNervous system disorders
ChillsGeneral disorders
AlopeciaSkin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Most-reported serious reactions: COVID-19 pneumonia, COVID-19, Diarrhoea, Pneumonia, Vomiting, Anaemia, Febrile neutropenia, Pyrexia.

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04182204 adverse events section.

Sponsor's own description

This study is a multicenter, open-label study of polatuzumab vedotin administered by intravenous (IV) infusion in combination with rituximab, gemcitabine and oxaliplatin (R-GemOx) in participants with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The study comprises of two stages: a safety run-in stage and a randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Publications & conference data

8 peer-reviewed publications reference this trial (live from Europe PMC):

  1. Polatuzumab vedotin plus bendamustine and rituximab in relapsed/refractory DLBCL: survival update and new extension cohort data.
    Sehn LH, Hertzberg M, Opat S, Herrera AF, et al · · 2022 · cited 138× · PMID 34749395 · DOI 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021005794
  2. Immunotherapy for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Current Landscape and Future Directions.
    Modi D, Potugari B, Uberti J. · · 2021 · cited 29× · PMID 34830980 · DOI 10.3390/cancers13225827
  3. Novel Therapies for Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.
    Harris LJ, Patel K, Martin M. · · 2020 · cited 27× · PMID 33202794 · DOI 10.3390/ijms21228553
  4. Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: A Look at the Approved and Emerging Therapies.
    Sawalha Y. · · 2021 · cited 25× · PMID 34945817 · DOI 10.3390/jpm11121345
  5. Antibody-drug conjugates for lymphoma patients: preclinical and clinical evidences.
    Barreca M, Lang N, Tarantelli C, Spriano F, et al · · 2022 · cited 23× · PMID 36654819 · DOI 10.37349/etat.2022.00112
  6. An overview of antibody-drug conjugates in oncological practice.
    Theocharopoulos C, Lialios PP, Gogas H, Ziogas DC. · · 2020 · cited 20× · PMID 33088347 · DOI 10.1177/1758835920962997
  7. The progress of novel strategies on immune-based therapy in relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
    Lu T, Zhang J, Xu-Monette ZY, Young KH. · · 2023 · cited 19× · PMID 37580826 · DOI 10.1186/s40164-023-00432-z
  8. Monoclonal Antibodies in the Treatment of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Moving beyond Rituximab.
    Papageorgiou SG, Thomopoulos TP, Liaskas A, Vassilakopoulos TP. · · 2022 · cited 19× · PMID 35454825 · DOI 10.3390/cancers14081917

Verify or expand the search:

Other trials of Polatuzumab Vedotin

Trials testing the same drug.

Other recruiting trials for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Currently open trials in the same condition.

Other Hoffmann-La Roche trials

Trials by the same sponsor.

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Data sources for this page

Drug Landscape aggregates and links these public records for informational use only. Always verify against the primary source before clinical or regulatory decisions. Canonical URL: https://druglandscape.com/trial/NCT04182204.

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