Addition of autologous stem-cell transplantation to an ibrutinib-containing
Summary
Addition of autologous stem-cell transplantation to an ibrutinib-containing first-line treatment in patients aged 18–65 years with mantle cell lymphoma (TRIANGLE): 4·5-year follow-up of a three-arm, randomised, open-label, phase 3 superiority trial of the European MCL Network The Lancet 2026 Articles Addition of autologous stem-cell transplantation to an ibrutinib-containing first-line treatment in patients aged 18–65 years with mantle cell lymphoma (TRIANGLE): 4·5-year follow-up of a three-arm,
Content
# Addition of autologous stem-cell transplantation to an ibrutinib-containing first-line treatment in patients aged 18–65 years with mantle cell lymphoma (TRIANGLE): 4·5-year follow-up of a three-arm, randomised, open-label, phase 3 superiority trial of the European MCL Network
*The Lancet 2026*
Articles
Addition of autologous stem-cell transplantation to an
ibrutinib-containing first-line treatment in patients aged
18–65 years with mantle cell lymphoma (TRIANGLE):
4·5-year follow-up of a three-arm, randomised, open-label,
phase 3 superiority trial of the European MCL Network
Martin Dreyling, Jeanette Doorduijn, Eva Giné, Mats Jerkeman, Jan Walewski, Martin Hutchings, Ulrich Mey, Jon Riise, Marek Trneny,
Vibeke K J Vergote, Ofer Shpilberg, Maria Gomes da Silva, Sirpa Leppä, Linmiao Jiang, Stephan Stilgenbauer, Andrea Kerkhoff, Ron D Jachimowicz,
Georg Heß, Tom van Meerten, Stefan Wirths, Peter Herhaus, Urban Novak, Judith Dierlamm, Mathias Hänel, Christine Hanoun, Kristina Sonnevi,
Carlo Visco, Daniela Donnarumma, Andrés J M Ferreri, Caterina Patti, Piero Maria Stefani, Christiane Pott, Wolfram Klapper, Christian Schmidt,
Michael Unterhalt, Tobias Tix, Marco Ladetto*, Eva Hoster*, on behalf of the European Mantle Cell Lymphoma Network
Summary
Background Adding ibrutinib to standard, first-line immunochemotherapy improves failure-free survival in adult Lancet 2026; 407: 1953–67
patients aged 18–65 years with mantle cell lymphoma, according to the first results from the TRIANGLE trial. With See Comment page 1897
prolonged follow-up, we investigated whether the addition of autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) to an
*Contributed equally
ibrutinib-containing regimen improves failure-free survival, and evaluated effects on overall survival.
Department of Medicine III,
LMU University Hospital,
Methods We conducted a three-arm, randomised, open-label, phase 3 superiority trial (TRIANGLE) in 165 secondary Munich, Germany
or tertiary clinical centres, with experience in mantle cell lymphoma treatment and the capability to perform ASCT or (Prof M Dreyling MD PhD,
C Schmidt MD,
an association with such a centre, in 13 European countries and Israel. Patients aged 18–65 years with untreated,
M Unterhalt MD PhD, T Tix MD);
stage II–IV mantle cell lymphoma and suitable for ASCT were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to control group A or Department of Hematology,
experimental groups A + I or I. Randomisation was done using computer-generated random numbers and stratified Erasmus MC Cancer Institute,
University Medical Center
by study groups and Mantle Cell Lymphoma International Prognostic Index risk groups. Treatment in group A
Rotterdam, Rotterdam,
consisted of six alternating, 21-day cycles of R-CHOP (intravenous rituximab 375 mg/m² on day 0 or 1,
Netherlands
cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m² on day 1, doxorubicin 50 mg/m² on day 1, vincristine 1·4 mg/m² on day 1 [up to a (J Doorduijn MD PhD);
maximum of 2 mg], and oral prednisone 100 mg on days 1–5) and R-DHAP or R-DHAOx (intravenous rituximab Hematology Department,
Hospital Clínic de Barcelona,
375 mg/m² on day 0 or 1, intravenous or oral dexamethasone 40 mg on days 1–4, high-dose intravenous cytarabine
IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
2 × 2 g/m² for 3 h every 12 h on day 2, plus either intravenous cisplatin 100 mg/m² over 24 h on day 1 [R-DHAP] or
(E Giné MD PhD); Cancer Centre,
intravenous oxaliplatin 130 mg/m² on day 1 [R-DHAOx]), followed by ASCT. In group A + I, oral ibrutinib (560 mg Lund University Faculty of
daily) was added on days 1–19 of R-CHOP cycles and as 2-year maintenance after ASCT. In group I, ibrutinib was Medicine, Lund, Sweden
(Prof M Jerkeman MD PhD);
given the same way, but ASCT was omitted. Rituximab maintenance was allowed in all treatment groups according to
Maria Sklodowska-Curie
national guidelines. Three pairwise, one-sided, log-rank tests for the primary outcome (failure-free survival) were National Research Institute of
statistically monitored. The primary analysis was by intention to treat and included all randomly assigned patients, Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
ignoring protocol deviations. Safety was assessed in randomly assigned patients who started any trial treatment (Prof J Walewski MD PhD);
Department of Haematology
component of the respective treatment phase. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02858258) and is
and Phase 1 Unit,
complete. Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen,
Denmark
Findings Between July 29, 2016, and Dec 28, 2020, 870 patients (662 [76%] were male, 208 [24%] were female) were (Prof M Hutchings MD PhD);
Oncology and Hematology,
randomly assigned to group A (n=288), group A + I (n=292), or group I (n=290). After median follow-up of
Kantonsspital Graubuenden,
54·9 months (95% CI 54·4–56·0), group A + I did not show superiority over group I, with 4-year failure-free Chur, Switzerland
survival of 82% (95% CI 78–87) versus 81% (76–86; hazard ratio [HR] 0·86 [one-sided 98·33% CI 0·00–1·27]; one- (Prof U Mey MD); Swiss Cancer
sided p=0·21). Group A + I remained superior to group A (82% [78–87] vs 70% [65–76]; HR 0·63 [one-sided Institute—formerly Swiss
Group for Clinical Cancer
98·33% CI 0·00–0·89]; one-sided p=0·0026) and, as before, group A did not show superiority over group I
Research–SAKK, Bern,
(70% [65–76] vs 81% [76–86]; HR 1·45 [one-sided 98·33% CI 0·00–2·02]; one-sided p=0·99). 4-year overall survival Switzerland (Prof U Mey,
was 88% (95% CI 84–92) in group A + I versus 81% (76–85) in group A (HR 0·59 [95% CI 0·38–0·92], p=0·0036) Prof U Novak MD); Department
and 90% (87–94) in group I versus 81% (76–85) in group A (0·57 [0·36–0·90], p=0·0019). During maintenance or of Oncology, Oslo University
Hospital, Oslo, Norway
follow-up, the most common grade 3–5 adverse events were haematological disorders, reported in
(J Riise MD PhD); First Faculty of
127 (54%) of 234 patients in group A + I versus 74 (28%) of 269 in group I and 56 (23%) of 240 patients in group A, Medicine, Charles University
and infections, reported in 80 (34%) of 234 patients in group A + I versus 71 (26%) of 269 in Hospital, Prague, Czech
group I and 37 (15%) of 240 patients in group A. Infections and infestations were the most common fatal adverse Republic (Prof M Trneny MD);
Department of Hematology,
events during maintenance or follow-up, occurring in four (2%) of 234 patients in group A + I and five (2%) of
University Hospitals Leuven,
269 patients in group I.
Articles
Leuven, Belgium Interpretation After a prolonged follow-up of 55 months, both ibrutinib-containing groups showed relevant
(V K J Vergote MD PhD); Adelson improvements not only in failure-free survival—a modified form of progression-free survival—but also in overall
School of Medicine, Ariel
survival. In contrast, the addition of ASCT to an ibrutinib-containing regimen had no supplementary benefit but
University, Ariel, Israel;
increased toxicity. Induction treatment with ibrutinib and R-CHOP plus R-DHAP (or R-DHAOx), followed by 2 years
Institute of Hematology,
Assuta Medical Center, Tel Aviv, of maintenance treatment with ibrutinib, should be considered as a new standard of care for younger patients with
Israel (Prof O Shpilberg MD); mantle cell lymphoma.
Department of Hematology,
Portuguese Institute of
Oncology, Lisbon, Portugal Funding Janssen.
(M Gomes da Silva MD PhD);
Comprehensive Cancer Center, Copyright © 2026 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0
University of Helsinki and
license.
Helsinki University Hospital,
Helsinki, Finland
(Prof S Leppä MD PhD); Institute Introduction patients aged 18–65 years with mantle cell lymphoma
for Medical Information Mantle cell lymphoma is a challenging subtype of whether ibrutinib added to R-CHOP (rituximab plus
Processing, Biometry, and
lymphoma due to the substantial variability in clinical cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and
Epidemiology (IBE), Faculty of
Medicine, LMU Munich, course.1,2 Over the last decade, blastoid morphology, high prednisone), alternating with R-DHAP (rituximab plus
Munich, Germany (L Jiang MSc, Ki-67 index, and TP53 alterations, in addition to the clinical dexamethasone, high-dose cytarabine, and cisplatin), and
Prof E Hoster PhD); Department Mantle Cell Lymphoma International Prognostic Index as maintenance after ASCT (experimental group A + I), or
of Internal Medicine III, Ulm
(MIPI), have been identified as the most relevant biological ibrutinib added to R-CHOP, alternating with R-DHAP,
University Hospital, Ulm,
Germany indicators of poor prognosis.3–5 In young (aged ≤65 years) and as maintenance without ASCT (experimental group I),
(Prof S Stilgenbauer MD); patients who are medically fit, dose intensification by could replace the pre-trial standard of alternating R-CHOP
Medizinische Klinik A, adding autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) and and R-DHAP immunochemotherapy followed by ASCT
Universitätsklinikum Münster,
cytarabine, and rituximab maintenance, have led to (control group A).
Münster, Germany
(A Kerkhoff MD); Department I improved long-term outcomes.6–8 In relapsed disease, The previously published TRIANGLE results supported
of Internal Medicine, Center for Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors such as ibrutinib the superior failure-free survival with ibrutinib added to
Integrated Oncology and have shown superior efficacy compared with conventional R-CHOP, alternating with R-DHAP, followed by ASCT
University Hospital Cologne,
chemotherapy.9–11 In the current TRIANGLE trial of the (group A + I) and as time-limited maintenance, over the
University of Cologne, Cologne,
Germany (R D Jachimowicz MD); European Mantle Cell Lymphoma Network, we pre-trial standard (group A).12 Furthermore, superior
Max Planck Institute for investigated in newly diagnosed, transplant-eligible failure-free survival using ASCT without
Biology of Ageing, Cologne,
Germany (R D Jachimowicz);
Department of Hematology
Research in context
and Medical Oncology, Medical
School of the Johannes
Evidence before this study Added value of this study
Gutenberg-University, Mainz,
We did a PubMed search on Oct 30, 2025, without explicit With mature median follow-up of more than 4 years, the
Germany (Prof G Heß MD);
Department of Hematology, publication date or language restriction, using the search terms TRIANGLE trial shows improvements in both overall survival
University Medical Center “(mantle cell lymphoma) AND (ibrutinib OR autologous) AND and failure-free survival when adding ibrutinib to first-line
Groningen, Groningen,
randomized” to find all randomised, phase 3 trials investigating R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin,
Netherlands
the role of autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) or the vincristine, and prednisone), alternating with R-DHAP
(Prof T van Meerten MD);
Department of Hematology, Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor ibrutinib as part of first-line (rituximab, dexamethasone, high-dose cytarabine, and
Oncology, Clinical Immunology treatment for younger, transplant-eligible patients with mantle cisplatin). The addition of ASCT to ibrutinib-containing, first-
and Rheumatology, Center for
cell lymphoma. Only two trials, both performed by the line treatment did not show superior efficacy and was
Internal Medicine, University
Hospital Tuebingen, Tübingen, European Mantle Cell Lymphoma Network, matched the search associated with more frequent, severe side-effects. However,
Germany (S Wirths MD); criteria. The first randomised trial of the European Mantle Cell preplanned subgroup analyses suggested potentially prolonged
Technical University of Munich, Lymphoma Network had established ASCT after response to disease control by ASCT in patients with mantle cell lymphoma
School of Medicine and Health,
first-line induction with chemotherapy or who have high-risk biology, defined as high-risk combined
Department of Internal
Medicine III, TUM University immunochemotherapy as standard of care in 2005. In 2024, Mantle Cell Lymphoma International Prognostic Index or high
Hospital, Munich, Germany the first results of the three-arm, randomised TRIANGLE trial p53 expression, although these results were not adequately
(P Herhaus MD); Department of indicated that the addition of fixed duration ibrutinib should powered given the small sample sizes.
Medical Oncology, Inselspital,
become part of a cytarabine-containing induction
Bern University Hospital, Implications of all the available evidence
University of Bern, Bern, immunochemotherapy and maintenance. These conclusions
In transplant-eligible adult patients aged 65 years or younger
Switzerland (Prof U Novak); from the TRIANGLE trial were based on effects on failure-free
with mantle cell lymphoma, first-line treatment should consist
Department of Internal survival, whereas results for overall survival had not yet formally
Medicine II, UKE Hamburg, of ibrutinib added to R-CHOP, alternating with R-DHAP, and
been evaluated. Furthermore, the TRIANGLE trial remained
Hamburg, Germany followed by 2 years of ibrutinib maintenance without ASCT.
(Prof J Dierlamm MD); ongoing to answer the final question of whether the addition of
Future studies are required to clarify the potential role of ASCT
Department of Internal ASCT to an ibrutinib-containing first-line treatment was
Medicine III, Klinikum effective. in patients with biologically aggressive mantle cell lymphoma.
Chemnitz, Chemnitz, Germany
1954
Articles
ibrutinib-containing treatment (group A) over ibrutinib- randomisation, or had known CNS involvement of (Prof M Hänel MD); Department
containing treatment without ASCT (group I) could not mantle cell lymphoma. Full inclusion and exclusion of Hematology and Stem Cell
be shown. These results led to the conclusion that adding criteria are detailed in the trial protocol (appendix 1 Transplantation, University
Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
ibrutinib to induction and maintenance treatment pp 42–44). Sex and ethnicity were assessed by site
(C Hanoun MD PhD);
represents a new standard of care for young (aged investigators. The study adhered to the updated Department of Medicine
≤65 years), transplant-eligible patients with mantle cell Declaration of Helsinki, and all participants provided Huddinge, Karolinska
Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
lymphoma. However, the question of whether ASCT adds written informed consent.
(K Sonnevi MD PhD); Azienda
to the efficacy of the ibrutinib-containing study regimen
Ospedaliera Universitaria
(group A + I vs group I) remained open for later evaluation, Recruitment, randomisation, and masking Integrata, Ematologia e
and effects on overall survival had not yet been After checking inclusion and exclusion criteria, eligible Trapianto di midollo osseo and
Department of Engineering for
investigated. With an additional 2 years of follow-up, we participants were registered in the trial and randomly
Innovative Medicine, Verona,
updated the previously observed treatment effects on assigned at a 1:1:1 ratio to one of the three treatment
Italy (Prof C Visco MD); Istituto
failure-free survival (group A + I vs group A, group A groups by authorised investigators (appendix 1 p 44). Nazionale Tumori - IRCCS
vs group I), newly estimated effects on overall survival, Randomisation was done through an electronic data Fondazione G. Pascale, SC
Ematologia Oncologica, Napoli,
and investigated the last remaining trial question of capture system using computer-generated random
Italy (D Donnarumma MD);
whether ASCT adds efficacy to ibrutinib-containing numbers with an unpredictable seed. The randomisation Lymphoma Unit, IRCCS San
immunochemotherapy and maintenance (group A + I was blocked and stratified by cooperative study groups Raffaele Scientific Institute and
vs group I). and MIPI risk groups. Investigators initiated Università Vita-Salute San
Raffaele, Milano, Italy
randomisation via the electronic case report form and
(Prof A J M Ferreri MD); Azienda
Methods were unable to predict treatment allocation. Due to the Ospedaliera, Ospedali Riuniti
Study design omission of ASCT and earlier initiation of maintenance Villa Sofia – Cervello, UOC
TRIANGLE is an investigator-initiated, international, in group I, masking of either ASCT or ibrutinib was not Oncomatologia, Palermo, Italy
(C Patti MD); ULSS2 Marca
randomised, open-label, phase 3, confirmatory superiority possible.
Trevigiana, Ospedale Ca’
trial with three parallel treatment groups, and is sponsored Foncello, Ematologia, Treviso,
by Munich University Hospital, Germany. The trial was Procedures Italy (P Maria Stefani MD);
conducted across 165 secondary or tertiary university, Participants in all three treatment groups were given Department of Medicine II
(Prof C Pott MD PhD), and
community, or private hospitals and private clinical centres induction immunoc hemotherapy consisting of
Department of Pathology,
in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Poland, six alternating, 21-day cycles of R-CHOP and either Hematopathology Section and
Denmark, Switzerland, Norway, Czech Republic, Belgium, R-DHAP or R-DHAOx (rituximab plus dexamethasone, Lymph Node Registry
Israel, Portugal, and Finland. Centres with experience in high-dose cytarabine, and oxaliplatin) regimens. The (Prof W Klapper MD), University
Hospital Schleswig-Holstein -
mantle cell lymphoma treatment were eligible if they had induction treatments were administered by the clinical
Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany;
the capability to perform ASCT or an association with such staff at each investigational site (appendix 1 p 46). The Department of Translational
a centre. The trial received ethical approval from the ethics R-CHOP regimen included intravenous rituximab Medicine, Division of
committees of all participating centres; the lead ethics 375 mg/m² on day 0 or 1, cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m² Hematology, University of
Eastern Piedmont and SCDU
committee was the Ethics Committee of the Medical on day 1, doxorubicin 50 mg/m² on day 1, vincristine
Ematologia, Azienda
Faculty at LMU Munich (659–15 fed). The trial protocol 1·4 mg/m² on day 1 (up to a maximum of 2 mg), and oral Ospedaliera Santi Antonio e
and statistical analysis plan are available online (appendix 1 prednisone 100 mg on days 1–5. The R-DHAP and Biagio e Cesare Arrigo,
and appendix 2 pp 34–54). After trial start, changes to the R-DHAOx regimens consisted of intravenous rituximab Alessandria, Italy
(Prof M Ladetto MD)
trial were minor and deviations from the trial protocol 375 mg/m² on day 0 or 1, intravenous or oral
Correspondence to:
during analysis are reported in the statistical analysis plan dexamethasone 40 mg on days 1–4, high-dose intravenous
Prof Martin Dreyling,
(appendix 2 pp 52–53). There was no patient or public cytarabine 2 × 2 g/m² for 3 h every 12 h on day 2, plus either Department of Medicine III, LMU
involvement in the design, conduct, and reporting of the intravenous cisplatin 100 mg/m² over 24 h on day 1 University Hospital,
trial. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (R-DHAP) or intravenous oxaliplatin 130 mg/m² on day 1 81377 Munich, Germany
martin.dreyling@med.
(NCT02858258) and is complete. (R-DHAOx), with subsequent G-CSF support
uni-muenchen.de
(subcutaneous filgrastim 5 µg/kg daily from day 6 or
See Online for appendices 1 and 2
Patients alternatively one dose of pegfilgrastim 6 mg on day 6). In
Participants were eligible if they were adults aged addition, patients in group A + I and group I received oral
18–65 years of any sex (male or female) with histologically ibrutinib 560 mg daily on days 1–19 during R-CHOP cycles
confirmed, previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma only (IR-CHOP; addition to R-DHAP was considered too
in Ann Arbor stage II–IV and were suitable for ASCT. toxic)13 and 2 years of continuous maintenance with
Additional inclusion criteria included an Eastern ibrutinib 560 mg daily if participants remained failure-free
Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2 or after ASCT, for participants in group A + I, or after
less and at least one measurable lesion. Patients were induction, for participants in group I. For group A and
ineligible if they required anticoagulation with warfarin group A + I, ASCT was done after either THAM
or equivalent vitamin K antagonists or treatment with conditioning (ie, total body irradiation 10 Gy on days –7
strong CYP3A4 or CYP3A5 inhibitors, had a history of to –5, intravenous cytarabine 1·5 g/m² over 30 min twice
intracranial haemorrhage up to 6 months before daily on days –4 to –3, and melphalan 140 mg/m² over 1 h
Articles
on day –2) or BEAM or TEAM conditioning (ie, intravenous over 1 h on day –2), per investigator discretion. Rituximab
carmustine 300 mg/m² over 1 h or thiotepa 5 mg/kg twice maintenance was allowed, according to national
on day –7, plus etoposide 100 mg/m² over 1 h every 12 h on guidelines, and should then be given in all three treatment
days –6 to –3, cytarabine 200 mg/m² over 30 min every groups.
12 h twice daily on days –6 to –3, and melphalan 140 mg/m² Response assessments, conducted by investigators
using Revised Response Criteria for Malignant
Lymphoma,14 included physical examinations, pre-
Group A (n=288) Group A + I (n=292) Group I (n=290)
planned CT scans, laboratory tests, and bone marrow
Age, years 57 (52–61) 57 (52–61) 57·5 (52–61) biopsies (mandatory if initial bone marrow infiltration
Sex was detected). PET-CT results were not considered for
Male 218 (76%) 216 (74%) 228 (79%) response evaluation. Response was assessed after
Female 70 (24%) 76 (26%) 62 (21%) four induction cycles, at the end of induction, 4–6 weeks
Race after the end of induction, then every 6 months for
White 283 (98%) 283 (97%) 290 (100%) 2 years, and annually thereafter until progression. Central
Asian 0 1 (<1%) 0 reference pathology laboratories evaluated histo-
Black 0 1 (<1%) 0 pathological markers for subgroup analyses of Ki-67
Other 5 (2%) 7 (2%) 0 index (<30% vs ≥30%, <50% vs ≥50%), p53 expression
Histology* (≤50% vs >50%), and high-risk biology (defined as
MCL 9673/3 286 (99%) 288 (99%) 287 (99%) high-risk combined MIPI or high p53 expression).4,5
ML, NOS 9590/3 0 1 (<1%) 0 Additional procedural details are available in the trial
NHL, NOS 9591/3 0 1 (<1%) 0 protocol (appendix 1 pp 46–56).
DLBCL 9680/3 0 0 2 (1%)
Splenic MZL 9689/3 0 1 (<1%) 0 Outcomes
FL 9690/3 1 (<1%) 0 0 The primary outcome was investigator-assessed failure-
MZL 9699/3 0 1 (<1%) 0 free survival, defined as the time from randomisation to
CLL 9823/3 1 (<1%) 0 0 the first occurrence of stable disease at the end of
HCL 9940/3 0 0 1 (<1%) induction immunochemotherapy, progressive disease, or
Ann Arbor Stage death from any cause. This endpoint represented a
modified progression-free survival endpoint that
I 1/287 (<1%) 0 0
specifically included stable disease at the end of induction
II 9/287 (3%) 11 (4%) 18 (6%)
as an event, representing an indication for salvage
III 24/287 (8%) 21 (7%) 28 (10%)
treatment at the discretion of the treating physician.
IV 253/287 (88%) 260 (89%) 244 (84%)
Secondary outcomes included overall survival (time
B symptoms 72/285 (25%) 79/291 (27%) 87/285 (31%)
from randomisation to death from any cause),
ECOG performance status
progression-free survival (time from randomisation to
0 214 (74%) 213 (73%) 208 (72%)
disease progression or death), duration of remission
1 69 (24%) 77 (26%) 77 (27%)
(time from end of successful induction to disease
2 5 (2%) 2 (1%) 5 (2%)
progression or death), overall response and complete
LDH:ULN ratio 0·94 (0·78–1·19) 0·94 (0·77–1·18) 0·87 (0·74–1·12)
remission rates, and the conversion rate from partial to
LDH>ULN 122 (42%) 120 (41%) 105 (36%)
complete remission following induction therapy.
MIPI score 5·62 (5·40–5·91) 5·64 (5·35–5·95) 5·61 (5·38–5·92)
Adverse event reporting was required from
Low-risk group 168 (58%) 168 (58%) 168 (58%)
randomisation until 30 days after the last trial
Intermediate-risk group 79 (27%) 80 (27%) 77 (27%)
medication was given. As a result, adverse event
High-risk group 41 (14%) 44 (15%) 45 (16%)
documentation was not mandatory during the
Leukocytes (white blood cells, G/L) 7·34 (5·50–10·91) 7·09 (5·28–11·11) 7·40 (5·77–11·92)
observation period after ASCT for patients in group A.
Ki-67 index 18% (9·75–37·50); 18% (11·56–40·00); 19% (10·25–35·00);
Safety outcomes included the frequencies of grade 3–5
n=249 n=262 n=259
adverse events according to Common Terminology
Ki-67 index ≥30% 81/249 (33%) 81/262 (31%) 83/259 (32%)
Blastoid cytology 28/253 (11%) 34/261 (13%) 31/265 (12%)
p53 expression >50% 25/201 (12%) 28/195 (14%) 31/206 (15%)
High-risk biology 34/201 (17%) 40/199 (20%) 44/208 (21%)
Figure 1: Trial profile
ASCT=autologous stem-cell transplantation. CR=complete remission. EOI=end
Data are n (%), n/N (%), or median (IQR). CLL=chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. DLBCL=diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
of induction. EX=early death. IR-CHOP=ibrutinib with R-CHOP. MCL=mantle cell
ECOG= Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. FL=follicular lymphoma. G=giga. HCL=hairy cell leukaemia. LDH=lactate
lymphoma. NE=not evaluable. PD=progressive disease. PR=partial remission.
dehydrogenase. MCL=mantle cell lymphoma. MIPI=Mantle Cell Lymphoma International Prognostic Index.
R-CHOP=intravenous rituximab 375 mg/m², intravenous cyclophosphamide
ML=malignant lymphoma. MZL=marginal zone lymphoma. NHL=non-Hodgkin lymphoma. NOS=not otherwise
750 mg/m², intravenous doxorubicin 50 mg/m², intravenous vincristine
specified. ULN=upper limit of normal. *International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O-3) histology code.
1·4 mg/m², and oral prednisone 100 mg. R-DHAP=intravenous rituximab
Table 1: Baseline characteristics 375 mg/m², intravenous or oral dexamethasone 40 mg, intravenous cytarabine
2 × 2 g/m², and intravenous cisplatin 100 mg/m². SD=stable disease.
1956
Articles
907 patients assessed for
eligibility
37 excluded due to screening failure
870 randomly assigned
288 assigned to group A 292 assigned to group A+I 290 assigned to group I
2 did not start induction 2 did not start induction
due to patient decision due to patient decision
286 started R-CHOP/ 291 started IR-CHOP/ 288 started IR-CHOP/
R-DHAP induction R-DHAP induction R-DHAP induction
261 completed six 1 started R-CHOP/R-DHAP 272 completed six
cycles of induction induction cycles of induction
25 did not complete 275 completed six 16 did not complete
six cycles of cycles of six cycles of
induction induction induction
8 progression 40 did not start high-dose 17 did not complete 40 did not start high-dose 10 adverse events 3 started high-dose
6 patient decision treatment six cycles of treatment 2 patient decision treatment
4 physician decision End of induction induction End of induction 2 progression 3 completed ASCT
4 adverse events 7 CR 5 adverse events 15 CR 1 MCL diagnosis
1 MCL diagnosis 4 mobilisation failure 4 MCL diagnosis 3 mobilisation failure rejected
rejected 2 physician decision rejected 2 adverse events 1 COVID-19 death
1 COVID-19 death 1 COVID-19 death in CR 4 patient decision 2 physician decision
1 treatment of 11 PR 2 progression 1 MCL diagnosis
other malignancy 4 mobilisation failure 1 COVID-19 death rejected
2 physician decision 1 suicide 1 COVID-19 death
2 patient decision 15 PR
2 insufficient 6 adverse events
documentation 4 patient decision
1 adverse event 2 MCL diagnosis
2 SD rejected
12 PD 1 physician decision
8 NE 1 mobilisation failure
1 COVID-19 death
1 SD
246 started high-dose 252 started high-dose 3 PD 285 did not start high-dose
treatment treatment 1 EX treatment
246 completed ASCT 252 completed ASCT 5 NE
165 started rituximab 10 started rituximab 231 started ibrutinib 10 started ibrutinib 259 started ibrutinib 3 started ibrutinib
maintenance maintenance maintenance maintenance maintenance maintenance
153 started ibrutinib 6 started ibrutinib 159 started ibrutinib 1 started ibrutinib
plus rituximab plus rituximab plus rituximab plus rituximab
maintenance maintenance maintenance maintenance
78 started ibrutinib 4 started ibrutinib 100 started ibrutinib 2 started ibrutinib
maintenance maintenance maintenance maintenance
5 started rituximab 9 started rituximab 8 started rituximab
maintenance only maintenance only maintenance only
3 adverse events 4 patient decision 3 adverse events
1 physician decision 2 physician decision 3 physician decision
1 NE at end of ASCT 1 MCL diagnosis 1 patient decision
16 did not start ibrutinib rejected 1 NE at EOI
or rituximab 1 adverse event 18 did not start ibrutinib
maintenance 1 NE at EOI or rituximab
5 adverse events 21 did not start ibrutinib maintenance
2 physician decision or rituximab 2 adverse events
1 patient decision maintenance 2 progression
1 COVID-19 death 4 patient decision 2 deaths
6 EX at end of ASCT 3 physician decision 1 physician decision
1 NE at end of ASCT 2 MCL diagnosis 1 MCL diagnosis rejected
rejected 1 SD at EOI
2 deaths 3 PD at EOI
1 adverse event 6 NE at EOI
4 NE at EOI
3 PD at EOI
1 SD at EOI
1 EX at EOI
Articles
Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.03, deaths, and For overall survival, three pairwise comparisons were
cumulative incidence rates of secondary primary conducted, each tested at a two-sided 5% significance
malignancies. A complete listing of all secondary level without Bonferroni correction, as the hypotheses
endpoints is provided in the trial protocol (appendix 1 were considered independent and not part of the overall
pp 40–41). trial decision strategy. To maintain the overall two-sided
5% significance level across several analysis timepoints,
Statistical methods an alpha-spending approach using O’Brien–Fleming
A prespecified decision strategy was used based on boundaries was applied. We report here the results of the
three pairwise, one-sided, log-rank tests for failure-free second interim analysis (Sept 20, 2024) that was
survival with a Bonferroni-corrected significance level conducted for comparisons that remained undecided at
of 5% divided by 3 for each pairwise comparison: the first interim analysis (May 9, 2024). Over-running
group A + I versus group A (null hypothesis: group A + I analyses were done to update previously decided
not superior to group A), group A versus group I (null comparisons.
hypothesis: group A not superior to group I), and Complete remission and overall response rates were
group A + I versus group I (null hypothesis: group A + I compared between group A and the pooled experimental
not superior to group I). Separately for each pairwise groups (group A + I plus group I) using Fisher’s exact test
test, predefined interim analyses for both futility and on a two-sided 5% significance level. The cumulative
superiority were planned biannually using truncated incidence of treatment failure, next lymphoma treatment,
sequential probability ratio tests correcting for repeated and secondary malignancies was estimated using the
testing.15 The decision boundaries were identical for cumulative incidence function and compared with Gray’s
group A + I versus group A and group A + I versus group I. test, with a one-sided significance level of 5% divided by
By applying three sequential tests, each maintaining a 3, treating death without the event of interest as a
Bonferroni-corrected local significance level, the overall competing event.
type I error probability for the decision process was Efficacy analyses were conducted on an intention-to-
restricted to 5%. After sample size calculation, a treat basis and included all randomly assigned patients,
maximum of 870 patients were planned to be randomly ignoring protocol deviations. Sensitivity analyses
assigned to treatment over 5 years, with an additional evaluated the primary hypotheses in a modified intention-
5 years of follow-up, to detect the superiority of to-treat cohort, including all patients with histologically
group A + I over group A and group I (12% improvement confirmed mantle cell lymphoma who started induction
in 5-year, failure-free survival: 77·1% vs 64·8%, hazard therapy according to randomisation. Subgroup analyses
ratio [HR] 0·60) with 90% power, and superiority of for the primary endpoint were conducted in sex, MIPI,
group A over group I (16% improvement in 5-year, cytology, Ki-67, p53, biological risk subgroups, and
failure-free survival: 64·8% vs 48·5%, HR 0·60) with application of rituximab maintenance. Adverse events
95% power, allowing for 5% dropouts. We report results were assessed by induction, ASCT, and maintenance or
using updated data (data cutoff at Sept 20, 2024) after the follow-up phases, and patients who started any trial
formal decision of the last of the three statistically treatment component of the respective treatment phase
monitored, pairwise tests (group A + I vs group I) at the were analysed descriptively according to the treatment
11th interim analysis on May 9, 2024 (appendix 1, p 22). administered. Induction safety was compared between
We did over-running analyses,16 with p values, bias- treatment group A and the pooled group A + I plus
corrected maximum-likelihood HR estimates, median group I.
unbiased HR estimates, and one-sided 98·33% CIs The p values and HRs for the primary hypotheses were
adjusted for the sequential design, which might have calculated using PEST3 software (1994, Reading
higher coverage probabilities than indicated.15 University, Reading, UK) to correct for the sequential
The Kaplan–Meier method, uncorrected for the statistical design. Decision boundaries for overall survival
sequential design, was used to estimate failure-free were calculated using SAS version 9.4 and PEST3. All
survival, progression-free survival, and duration of other analyses were conducted using R version 4.2.2.
remission, censored at the last event-free date. HRs with More details on statistical methods are provided in the
one-sided 98·33% CIs were calculated using Cox statistical analysis plan (appendix 2 pp 34–54). A data
regression, applying the Bonferroni correction for safety monitoring committee oversaw the trial progress,
three pairwise comparisons. For the comparisons of ensuring patient safety, data integrity, and scientific
group I versus group A, two-sided log-rank tests with a validity.
significance level of 3·33% and two-sided 96·67% CIs
were additionally applied, in line with an overall Role of the funding source
two-sided significance level of 10%. Sensitivity analyses The funder of the study had no role in study design, data
adjusted for MIPI score (with or without Ki-67 index) or collection, data analysis, data interpretation, or writing of
stratified by randomisation factors (study group and the report. The funder supplied ibrutinib for use in the
MIPI risk group). study.
1958
Articles
Results
Between July 29, 2016, and Dec 28, 2020, 907 patients
were assessed for eligibility, 870 of whom were randomly
assigned to treatment. 288 patients were assigned to
A
group A, 292 to group A + I, and 290 to group I. The
1·00
median age of the randomly assigned patients
was 57 years (IQR 52–61, range 27–68), 662 (76%) were
0·80
male, 208 (24%) were female, and, in 861 (99%), mantle
cell lymphoma had been centrally confirmed.
0·60
757 (87%) of 869 patients had stage IV disease,
504 (58%) of 870 were in a low MIPI risk group, and
0·40
236 (27%) of 870 were in an intermediate MIPI risk
group. Baseline characteristics for the three treatment
0·20
groups are shown in table 1.
By the data cutoff on Sept 20, 2024, 866 patients had
initiated induction chemotherapy (286 patients in 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90
Number at risk
group A [including one patient with stage I disease who
(censored)
started the assigned chemotherapy], 292 in group A + I, Group A
and 288 in group I; figure 1), with 808 completing all
Group A+I
six cycles (261 [91%] in group A, 275 [94%] in group A + I,
and 272 [94%] in group I). ASCT was completed in
246 (85%) patients in group A, 252 (86%) in group A + I,
and three (1%) in group I (deviating from the assigned
treatment), with 238 (97%) patients in group A, 237
(94%) patients in group A + I, and one (33%) patient in
group I receiving BEAM or TEAM. Ibrutinib
maintenance was initiated in 241 (83%) patients in
group A + I, with a median duration of 23·2 months
(IQR 11·2–24·0, range 0·1–26·4), and in 262 (90%) in
group I, with a median duration of 24·0 months
(IQR 21·5–24·0, range 0·2–28·3). All those patients
who initiated ibrutinib maintenance had terminated
ibrutinib maintenance by time of data cutoff and
110 (46%) patients in group A + I and 156 (60%) in
group I had completed the planned 2-year course. The
median relative dose intensity of ibrutinib maintenance
was 76% (IQR 37 to 97) in group A + I and 94% (70 to
>99) in group I. Rituximab maintenance was initiated in
175 (61%) patients in group A, 173 (59%) in group A + I,
and in 168 (58%) in group I, with no major biases in
patient allocation.
By the data cutoff on Sept 20, 2024, median follow-up for
the failure-free survival endpoint was 54·9 months
(95% CI 54·4–56·0) overall: 54·5 months (95% CI
54·3–56·7) in group A, 55·1 months (54·3–57·6) in
group A + I, and 55·0 months (54·0–57·5) in group I
(reversed Kaplan–Meier, appendix 2 p 3). Consistent with
the last decision of statistical monitoring at the 11th interim
analysis on May 9, 2024, group A + I did not show superior
failure-free survival over group I, with 4-year failure-free
survival of 82% (95% CI 78–87) versus 81% (76–86;
corrected for sequential design: HR 0·86 [one-sided
98·33% CI 0·00–1·27]; one-sided p=0·21; figure 2;
appendix 2 pp 22–26). Similar results were observed in the
modified intention-to-treat cohort (uncorrected for
sequential design: HR 0·92 [one-sided 98·33% CI
0·00–1·33]; one-sided p=0·31; appendix 2 pp 25–26).
ytilibaborp
lavivrus
eerf-eruliaF
HR 0·63 (one-sided 98·33% CI 0·00–0·89);
one-sided p=0·0026
B
1·00
0·80
0·60
0·40
0·20
0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90
Number at risk
(censored)
Group I
Group A
ytilibaborp
lavivrus
eerf-eruliaF
HR 1·45 (one-sided 98·33% CI 0·00–2·02);
one-sided p=0·9890
C
1·00
0·80
0·60
0·40
0·20
0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90
Time since randomisation (months) Number at risk
(censored)
Group I
Group A+I
ytilibaborp
lavivrus
eerf-eruliaF
Group A
Group A+I
288 255 245 235 219 211 200 187 159 121 74 57 32 20 4 1
(0) (11) (12) (13) (13) (14) (17) (27) (49) (83) (124)(140)(165)(176) (192)(195)
292 274 259 252 245 236 230 217 180 141 89 70 28 24 6 2
(0) (11) (14) (17) (18) (19) (23) (32) (64) (99) (143)(160)(200)(204) (222)(226)
Group I
Group A
290 273 263 250 246 237 228 213 167 129 89 67 31 20 7 2
(0) (9) (11) (12) (14) (16) (20) (30) (71) (107)(138)(154)(189)(200) (213)(218)
288 255 245 235 219 211 200 187 159 121 74 57 32 20 4 1
(0) (11) (12) (13) (13) (14) (17) (27) (49) (83) (124)(140)(165)(176) (192)(195)
Group I
Group A+I
HR 0·86 (one-sided 98·33% CI 0·00–1·27);
one-sided p=0·21
290 273 263 250 246 237 228 213 167 129 89 67 31 20 7 2
(0) (9) (11) (12) (14) (16) (20) (30) (71) (107)(138)(154)(189)(200) (213)(218)
292 274 259 252 245 236 230 217 180 141 89 70 28 24 6 2
(0) (11) (14) (17) (18) (19) (23) (32) (64) (99) (143)(160)(200)(204) (222)(226)
Figure 2: Failure-free survival for group A + I vs group A (A), group A vs group I (B), and group A + I vs group I (C)
HR=hazard ratio.
Articles
A
Group A + I remained superior to group A with 4-year
failure-free survival of 82% (95% CI 78–87) for group A + I
versus 70% (65–76) for group A (corrected for sequential
design: HR 0·63 [one-sided 98·33% CI 0·00–0·89];
one-sided p=0·0026; figure 2; appendix 2 pp 25–26). The
benefit in group A + I was particularly pronounced in
patients with high p53 expression compared with
group A (HR 0·23 [one-sided 98·33% CI 0·00–0·57];
appendix 2 pp 4–6, 17–18). The superiority of group A + I
over group A was further observed in progression-free
survival (HR 0·64, one-sided 98·33% CI 0·00–0·91;
one-sided p=0·0032; appendix 2 pp 7–8, 17–18), duration
of remission (HR 0·69, one-sided 98·33% CI 0·00–1·001;
one-sided p=0·0170; appendix 2 pp 9–10, 17–18), and
duration of remission after ASCT (HR 0·66, one-sided
98·33% CI 0·00–0·98; one-sided p=0·014; appendix 2
pp 11–12, 17–18).
As was the case with the results for failure-free survival
after the shorter follow-up time,12 superiority of group A
compared with group I was not shown with failure-free
survival after 4 years (70% [95% CI 65–76] vs 81% [76–86];
corrected for sequential design: HR 1·45 [one-
B
sided 98·33% CI 0·00–2·02]; one-sided p=0·99; figure 2;
1·00
appendix 2 pp 25–26). A post-hoc, two-sided comparison
with a significance level of 3·33% revealed the superiority
0·80
of group I over group A (corrected for sequential design:
HR 0·69 [two-sided 96·67% CI 0·45–0·97]; two-sided
0·60
p=0·021; appendix 2 pp 25–26). The absence of superiority
of group A versus group I was consistently observed for
0·40
failure-free survival across all analysed subgroups
(appendix 2 pp 17–18), for progression-free survival
0·20
(HR 1·42 [one-sided 98·33% CI 0·00–2·00]; one-sided
0 p=0·99; appendix 2 pp 7–8, 25–26), and for duration of
0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90 remission (HR 1·27 [one-sided 98·33% CI 0·00–1·81];
Number at risk
one-sided p=0·92; appendix 2 pp 9–10, 25–26). Of note,
(censored)
Group I subgroup analyses by rituximab maintenance also did not
show superior failure-free survival for group A compared
Group A+I
with group I (appendix 2 pp 4–6).
The absence of superiority in failure-free survival for
group A + I versus group I was seen in most of the
analysed subgroups (figure 3A). However, failure-free
survival results for group A + I versus group I were only
hypothesis-generating rather than confirmatory in
patients with blastoid cytology (HR 0·58 [one-sided
98·33% CI 0·00–1·33]), Ki-67 of at least 50% (HR 0·59
[one-sided 98·33% CI 0·00–1·21]), high p53 expression
(HR 0·57 [one-sided 98·33% CI 0·00–1·49]), and
high-risk biology (HR 0·61 [one-sided 98·33% CI
0·00–1·29]; figure 3B–F; appendix 2 pp 4–6). Of note,
subgroup analyses by rituximab maintenance also
revealed overlapping failure-free survival curves for
group A + I versus group I during the first 4 years
(appendix 2 pp 4–6).
Similar to failure-free survival, 4-year progression-free
survival was 83% (95% CI 78–87) in group A + I and 81%
(77–86) in group I, with an uncorrected HR of 0·90 (one-
(Figure 3 continues on next page) sided 98·33% CI 0·00–1·31; one-sided p=0·28) for the
1960
ytilibaborp
lavivrus
eerf-eruliaF
HR 0·58 (one-sided 98·33% CI 0·00–1·33)
C
1·00
0·80
0·60
0·40
0·20
0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90
Time since randomisation (months) Number at risk
(censored)
Group I
Group A+I
ytilibaborp
lavivrus
eerf-eruliaF
Events/patients HR (one-sided p interaction
98·33% CI)
All 134/582 0·90 (0–1·30)
Sex 0·71
Female 30/138 1·02 (0–2·23)
Male 104/444 0·88 (0–1·33)
MIPI
Low 62/336 0·76 (0–1·31)
Intermediate 37/157 1·15 (0–2·32) 0·33
High 35/89 1·03 (0–2·12) 0·56
Cytology 0·15
Non-blastoid 92/461 1·00 (0–1·56)
Blastoid 27/65 0·58 (0–1·33)
Ki-67 0·41
<30% 71/357 1·05 (0–1·74)
≥30% 54/164 0·79 (0–1·42)
Ki-67 0·10
<50% 89/433 1·07 (0–1·69)
≥50% 36/88 0·59 (0–1·21)
p53 expression 0·43
Low 67/342 0·83 (0–1·41)
High 21/59 0·57 (0–1·49)
High-risk biology 0·33
Low 60/323 0·88 (0–1·53)
High 34/84 0·61 (0–1·29)
0·10 0·25 0·50 1·0 2·0 4·0
Group A+I superior to group I Group A+I not superior to group I
Group I
Group A+I
31 28 24 21 21 18 16 14 11 9 6 5 2 2 0 0
(0) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (3) (5) (7) (8) (10) (10) (13) (13) (15) (15)
34 29 26 25 24 21 21 20 17 13 11 10 2 1 0 0
(0) (2) (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) (3) (6) (10) (12) (13) (21) (22) (23) (23)
HR 0·79 (one-sided 98·33% CI 0·00−1·42)
83 77 72 65 65 60 58 53 42 33 21 16 7 5 1 1
(0) (3) (3) (4) (4) (4) (5) (9) (18) (26) (33) (36) (45) (47) (51) (51)
81 72 68 64 61 55 54 50 39 28 22 19 7 5 2 0
(0) (5) (6) (7) (7) (7) (8) (10) (20) (30) (36) (39) (51) (53) (56) (58)
Articles
comparison between group A + I and group I (appendix 2 (over-running analysis corrected for interim analysis: HR
pp 7–8, 25–26). Complete response was seen in 0·57 [two-sided 95% CI 0·36–0·90]; two-sided p=0·0019;
250 (44%) of 566 patients in group A + I plus group I figure 4; appendix 2 pp 25–26). The pairwise overall
combined compared with 101 (36%) of 277 patients in survival comparison between group A + I and group I is
group A (p=0·037). Overall response was seen in
556 (98%) patients in group A + I plus group I combined
D
compared with 260 (94%) patients in group A (p=0·0013).
1·00
Among patients who had a partial or complete response
at the end of induction, the 4-year duration of remission
0·80
was 83% (78–87) in 279 patients in group A + I and 81%
(76–86) in 277 patients in group I, with an HR of 0·87
0·60
(one-sided 98·33% CI 0·00–1·27; one-sided p=0·22) for
group A + I versus group I (appendix 2 pp 9–10, 25–26). 0·40
After selection of patients who had a partial or complete
response after ASCT only (248 in group A + I) or 4–6 weeks 0·20
post-induction (169 in group I), the 4-year duration of
remission was 84% (79–89) in group A + I and 82% 0
(76–89) in group I (HR 0·88 [one-sided 98·33% CI 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90
Number at risk
0·00–1·40]; one-sided p=0·28; appendix 2 pp 9–10, (censored)
25–26). Group I
4-year cumulative incidence of treatment failure was
Group A+I
11% (95% CI 7–15) in group A + I versus 16% (11–20) in
group I (p=0·089); risk of death without treatment
failure was 7% (4–10) in group A + I versus 4% (2–6) in
group I (p=0·099; appendix 2 pp 13–14). Among those
who were alive and had a first treatment failure,
35 (80%) of 44 patients in group A + I and 50 (85%) of 59
in group I received subsequent lymphoma treatment.
4-year cumulative incidence of next lymphoma
treatment was 10% (7–14) in group A + I versus 16%
(12–21) in group I (p=0·074), which might be explained
by the risk of death without next lymphoma treatment
in group A + I versus group I (8% [5–11] vs 4% [2–6],
p=0·052; appendix 2 pp 15–16).
After a median follow-up of 55·4 months (95% CI
54·8–56·7, reversed Kaplan–Meier; appendix 2 p 3),
4-year overall survival was 81% (95% CI 76–85) in
group A, 88% (84–92) in group A + I, and 90% (87–94) in
group I (figure 4). Compared with group A, overall
survival was significantly longer in group A + I (over-
running analysis corrected for interim analysis: HR 0·59
[two-sided 95% CI 0·38–0·92]; two-sided p=0·0036;
figure 4; appendix 2 pp 25–26) and in group I
Figure 3: Failure-free survival in subgroups for group A + I vs group I (A), in
subgroups of patients with blastoid cytology (B), high Ki-67 with 30%
cutoff (C), high Ki-67 with 50% cut-off (D), high p53 expression (E), and
high-risk biology (F) for group A + I vs group I
p values are for interactions. High-risk biology was classified as low (low, low
intermediate, or high intermediate combined MIPI and low p53 expression) or
high (high combined MIPI or high p53 expression). All results are uncorrected for
the sequential design, and HRs are unadjusted and shown with one-sided
98·33% CIs corresponding to the primary one-sided hypotheses. No lower
confidence limits for the treatment efficacy estimates are given. Superiority of
group A + I versus group I would have been confirmed by an upper confidence
limit smaller than 1·0 (A); due to reduced statistical power in the subgroups, the
results are only hypothesis generating and not confirmatory. HR=hazard ratio.
MIPI=Mantle Cell Lymphoma International Prognostic Index.
ytilibaborp
lavivrus
eerf-eruliaF
HR 0·59 (one-sided 98·33% CI 0·00–1·21)
E
1·00
0·80
0·60
0·40
0·20
0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90
Number at risk
(censored)
Group I
Group A+I
ytilibaborp
lavivrus
eerf-eruliaF
HR 0·57 (one-sided 98·33% CI 0·00–1·49)
F
1·00
0·80
0·60
0·40
0·20
0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90
Time since randomisation (months)
Number at risk
(censored)
Group I
Group A+I
ytilibaborp
lavivrus
eerf-eruliaF
Group I
Group A+I
42 38 33 29 29 24 23 21 19 16 9 6 3 2 0 0
(0) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (2) (4) (5) (7) (12) (14) (17) (18) (20) (20)
46 39 36 32 32 28 27 24 19 14 13 11 5 4 2 0
(0) (4) (5) (6) (6) (6) (7) (8) (13) (18) (19) (21) (27) (28) (30) (32)
31 2 24 22 22 20 18 1 10 9 6 6 2 2 0 0
(0) (2) (2) (2) (2) (2) (3) (5) (9) (10) (12) (12) (16) (16) (18) (18)
28 26 24 23 22 20 19 17 15 12 8 7 1 1 0 0
(0) (2) (3) (3) (3) (3) (4) (5) (7) (10) (13) (13) (19) (19) (20) (20)
HR 0·61 (one-sided 98·33% CI 0·00–1·29)
44 39 34 28 28 25 23 19 13 11 7 7 2 2 0 0
(0) (2) (2) (3) (3) (3) (4) (7) (12) (13) (16) (16) (21) (21) (23) (23)
40 35 32 28 27 25 24 22 18 15 10 9 2 2 0 0
(0) (3) (4) (5) (5) (5) (6) (7) (11) (14) (18) (18) (25) (25) (27) (27)
Articles
ongoing and will be reported at the final analysis on trial
completion.
Investigator-reported causes of death included
progressive lymphoma in 31 (11%) of 288 patients in
A
group A, nine (3%) of 292 patients in group A + I, and
1·00
14 (5%) of 290 patients in group I, and comorbidities in
16 (6%) patients in group A, 13 (4%) patients in
0·80
group A + I, and 15 patients (5%) patients in group I
(appendix 2 p 27). Medical review revealed expected risks
0·60
for ASCT-related deaths in seven (3%) of 246 patients in
group A and in eight (3%) of 252 in group A + I.
0·40
During ASCT in patients treated with alternating
IR-CHOP and R-DHAP, blood and lymphatic system
0·20
disorders were the most common grade 3–5 adverse
events, reported in 163 (64%) of 254 patients. Of these,
0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90 the most common blood and lymphatic system disorder
Number at risk
was decreased platelet count in 112 (44%) of 254 patients.
(censored)
Group I Grade 3–5 gastrointestinal disorders were observed
in 54 (21%) patients, general disorders and
Group A+I
administration-site conditions in 54 (21%) patients, and
infections and infestations in 53 patients (21%; table 2).
Infections were the most common fatal adverse events
during ASCT, occurring in five (2%) of 254 patients
treated with alternating IR-CHOP and R-DHAP
(appendix 2 p 28).
During maintenance or follow-up, more grade 3–5
adverse events were observed in patients receiving
ibrutinib after ASCT (group A + I) compared with
patients receiving ibrutinib without ASCT (group I;
table 2). Blood and lymphatic system disorders were the
most common grade 3–5 adverse events, affecting
127 (54%) of 234 patients in group A + I and
74 (28%) of 269 patients in group I, with decreased
neutrophil count being the most common cause of
blood and lymphatic system disorders in
110 (47%) patients in group A + I versus 61 (23%) in
group I (table 2). Grade 3–5 infections and infestations
were reported in 80 (34%) patients in group A + I and
71 (26%) in group I (table 2). Infections and infestations
were the most common fatal adverse events
during maintenance or follow-up, occurring in
four (2%) patients in group A + I and five (2%) patients
in group I (appendix 2 p 29). The grade 3–5 adverse
events in patients treated with alternating
IR-CHOP and R-DHAP during induction, ASCT, and
maintenance or follow-up are summarised in appendix 2
(pp 30–31).
Secondary haematological malignancies occurred in
four (1%) of 288 patients treated in group A (three with
acute myeloid leukaemia and one with myelodysplastic
syndrome), two (1%) of 292 in group A + I (myelodysplastic
syndrome), and one (<1%) of 290 in group I (multiple
myeloma; appendix 2 pp 19–21). Secondary non-
haematological malignancies were observed in
20 (7%) patients in group A + I, 20 (7%) patients in
group I, and seven (2%) in group A. The 4-year cumulative
Figure 4: Overall survival for group A + I vs group I (A), group A + I vs group A (B), and group A vs group I (C)
HR=hazard ratio. incidences of secondary haematological and
1962
ytilibaborp
lavivrus
llarevO
B
1·00
0·80
0·60
0·40
0·20
0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90
Number at risk
(censored)
Group A
Group A+I
ytilibaborp
lavivrus
llarevO
HR 0·59 (two-sided 95% CI 0·38–0·92); two-sided p=0·0036
C
1·00
0·80
0·60
0·40
0·20
0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90
Time since randomisation (months) Number at risk
(censored)
Group I
Group A
ytilibaborp
lavivrus
llarevO
Group I
Group A+I
290 282 273 266 264 259 253 243 194 147 101 78 41 21 7 2
(0) (6) (8) (9) (10) (11) (13) (23) (69) (112)(156) (179)(216)(236) (250)(255)
292 281 267 262 257 253 248 235 201 160 107 83 39 26 8 2
(0) (7) (10) (13) (14) (15) (16) (26) (58) (99) (151) (175)(219)(232) (250)(256)
Group A
Group A+I
288 270 260 255 243 238 233 222 187 145 92 73 41 23 5 1
(0) (8) (9) (9) (12) (13) (14) (20) (49) (87) (137) (156)(188)(205) (223)(227)
292 281 267 262 257 253 248 235 201 160 107 83 39 26 8 2
(0) (7) (10) (13) (14) (15) (16) (26) (58) (99) (151) (175)(219)(232) (250)(256)
Group I
Group A HR 0·57 (two-sided 95% CI 0·36–0·90); two-sided p=0·0019
290 282 273 266 264 259 253 243 194 147 101 78 41 21 7 2
(0) (6) (8) (9) (10) (11) (13) (23) (69) (112)(156) (179)(216)(236) (250)(255)
288 270 260 255 243 238 233 222 187 145 92 73 41 23 5 1
(0) (8) (9) (9) (12) (13) (14) (20) (49) (87) (137) (156)(188)(205) (223)(227)
Articles
non-haematological malignancies were 0·7% (95% CI 0·7% (0·1–2·4) and 2·5% (1·1–4·9) in group A (appendix 2
0·1–2·5) and 6·1% (3·7–9·3) in group A + I, respectively, pp 19–21). The lower incidence of non-haematological
0·4% (0·03–1·9) and 6·5% (4·0–9·8) in group I, and malignancies in group A might be explained by a
During induction, During ASCT, During maintenance or follow-up
IR-CHOP/R-DHAP IR-CHOP/R-DHAP
(n=579) (n=254)
Group A+I Group I
(n=234) (n=269)
Blood and lymphatic system disorders 449 (78%) 163 (64%) 127 (54%) 74 (28%)
Neutrophil count decreased 301 (52%) 85 (33%) 110 (47%) 61 (23%)
Platelet count decreased 355 (61%) 112 (44%) 17 (7%) 9 (3%)
Anaemia 150 (26%) 58 (23%) 8 (3%) 5 (2%)
Febrile neutropenia 73 (13%) 73 (29%) 16 (7%) 7 (3%)
White blood cell decreased 93 (16%) 41 (16%) 13 (6%) 7 (3%)
Lymphocyte count decreased 41 (7%) 8 (3%) 2 (1%) 6 (2%)
Infections and infestations 73 (13%) 53 (21%) 80 (34%) 71 (26%)
Lung infection 9 (2%) 13 (5%) 37 (16%) 30 (11%)
Coronavirus infection 4 (1%) 0 12 (5%) 24 (9%)
Sepsis 12 (2%) 17 (7%) 5 (2%) 4 (1%)
Other 10 (2%) 12 (5%) 1 (<1%) 3 (1%)
Device-related infection 5 (1%) 7 (3%) 2 (1%) 1 (<1%)
Shingles 0 0 10 (4%) 1 (<1%)
Gastrointestinal disorders 69 (12%) 54 (21%) 15 (6%) 13 (5%)
Diarrhoea 21 (4%) 7 (3%) 7 (3%) 5 (2%)
Oral mucositis 9 (2%) 23 (9%) 0 2 (1%)
Nausea 18 (3%) 18 (7%) 0 0
Vomiting 18 (3%) 2 (1%) 1 (<1%) 2 (1%)
General disorders and administration-site conditions 38 (7%) 54 (21%) 7 (3%) 13 (5%)
Mucosal inflammation 6 (1%) 45 (18%) 2 (1%) 2 (1%)
Fever 6 (1%) 8 (3%) 0 5 (2%)
Fatigue 16 (3%) 3 (1%) 1 (<1%) 0
Metabolism and nutrition disorders 76 (13%) 22 (9%) 7 (3%) 8 (3%)
Hypokalaemia 34 (6%) 13 (5%) 2 (1%) 1 (<1%)
Investigations 36 (6%) 12 (5%) 13 (6%) 2 (1%)
γ-glutamyl transferase increased 11 (2%) 3 (1%) 7 (3%) 0
Nervous system disorders 28 (5%) 1 (<1%) 16 (7%) 13 (5%)
Syncope 9 (2%) 1 (<1%) 6 (3%) 3 (1%)
Respiratory, thoracic, and mediastinal disorders 17 (3%) 13 (5%) 8 (3%) 9 (3%)
Vascular disorders 33 (6%) 8 (3%) 5 (2%) 9 (3%)
Hypertension 24 (4%) 6 (2%) 1 (<1%) 4 (1%)
Cardiac disorders 19 (3%) 2 (1%) 9 (4%) 14 (5%)
Atrial fibrillation 11 (2%) 1 (<1%) 4 (2%) 7 (3%)
Injury, poisoning, and procedural complications 8 (1%) 4 (2%) 4 (2%) 10 (4%)
Neoplasms benign, malignant, and unspecified (including cysts and polyps) 2 (<1%) 0 8 (3%) 16 (6%)
Renal and urinary disorders 40 (7%) 3 (1%) 0 4 (1%)
Acute kidney injury 36 (6%) 2 (1%) 0 2 (1%)
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders 5 (1%) 11 (4%) 9 (4%) 1 (<1%)
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders 8 (1%) 0 6 (3%) 10 (4%)
Grade 3–5 adverse events and preferred terms occurring in at least 3% of patients in any treatment group shown. MedDRA coded preferred terms and system organ class were
reclassified to match Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.03 for all preferred terms that had occurred in more than ten patients. ASCT=autologous
stem-cell transplantation. MedDRA=Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities. IR-CHOP=ibrutinib combined with R-CHOP. R-CHOP=intravenous rituximab 375 mg/m²,
intravenous cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m², intravenous doxorubicin 50 mg/m², intravenous vincristine 1·4 mg/m², and oral prednisone 100 mg. R-DHAP=intravenous
rituximab 375 mg/m², intravenous or oral dexamethasone 40 mg, intravenous cytarabine 2 × 2 g/m², and intravenous cisplatin 100 mg/m².
Table 2: Frequency of patients with at least one grade 3–5 adverse event by system organ class and preferred terms during induction, ASCT, and
maintenance or follow-up in group A+I and group I
Articles
potentially higher risk of death due to competing events improved progression-free survival as well as a non-
(appendix 2 pp 19–21). significant trend towards better overall survival in a study
population aged 65 years and older.20
Discussion In 2023, ibrutinib was withdrawn in the USA for
In this large, randomised, phase 3 trial, the pre-trial treatment of relapsed mantle cell lymphoma, but
standard treatment for mantle cell lymphoma of two additional, second-generation BTK inhibitors in the
immunochemotherapy followed by ASCT in adult USA and one in Europe are registered for relapsed
patients (aged ≤65 years) was challenged by ibrutinib, mantle cell lymphoma.21,22 Given their greater selectivity
either in addition to or instead of ASCT. After a prolonged and improved tolerability in other entities, it is tempting
follow-up of 55 months, both ibrutinib-containing to speculate about their potential as part of a TRIANGLE-
groups showed clinically relevant improvements not only like regimen instead of ibrutinib.23 However, no phase 3
in failure-free survival—a modified form of progression- data on such combinations are available.
free survival—but also in overall survival. In line with Based on the new standard of an ibrutinib-containing
previous reports on immunochemotherapy-only regimen, salvage treatment in patients might be more
regimens, the addition of ibrutinib resulted in a clinically challenging. In historical series, patients with disease
important improvement in efficacy.3,4 progression under ibrutinib showed a dismal outcome
Furthermore, we re-evaluated the efficacy of ASCT- independent of conventional salvage treatment.24 It is
containing treatment in the context of current clinical important to emphasise that ibrutinib maintenance in the
standards, which now include induction with rituximab, current trial was applied for a fixed duration of 2 years,
high-dose cytarabine, and platinum-based agents, with the majority of patients still in remission after
rituximab maintenance, and ibrutinib—approaches that completing maintenance. Thus, re-exposure with BTK
were not established when the original randomised trial inhibitors might be worthwhile, either alone or in
showing the superiority of ASCT was done.6 In the overall combination, but data on salvage treatment after time-
patient population of the TRIANGLE trial, ASCT did not restricted exposure to ibrutinib are currently scarce. In
improve the overall outcome, with only a small efficacy addition, immunological approaches that include
gain that was counterbalanced by an expected chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells and bispecific
ASCT-related mortality of about 3% and additional toxicity antibodies, as well as non-covalent BTK inhibitor or BTK
during ibrutinib with or without rituximab maintenance protein degraders, might at least partially overcome the
after ASCT. Consistent with our results, a randomised US poor outcomes of relapses after covalent BTK inhibitors.25–27
intergroup trial reporting in 2024 showed that ASCT did A limitation of our study is that no patient-reported
not improve the outcomes of patients who had already outcomes were collected in this complex academic trial.
reached a molecular remission after induction.17 In addition, despite the relatively large overall sample
Of note, in the 19% of patients in the study with size, analyses of patient subsets, especially those with
high-risk biology, the hypothesis was generated that the high-risk features, are mostly only hypothesis-generating
addition of ASCT could improve failure-free survival, rather than confirmatory due to the small patient
although this finding warrants further investigation in numbers. There are still insufficient data on follow-up,
larger cohorts. Again, such potentially improved efficacy which is substantially shorter than in trials evaluating the
must be weighed against the increased toxicity observed role of ASCT. Finally, staging procedures were based on
after ASCT. Similarly, in patients with p53 alterations, a CT scans only.
potentially improved outcome following ASCT was However, based on our results, it is tempting to
observed, whereas dose-intensified chemotherapy speculate whether chemotherapy might be omitted in
typically achieves short-term responses.3–5 However, this first-line treatment overall. In the ENRICH phase 3 study
observation should be interpreted with caution given the in patients 60 years and older, a significant improvement
very small patient numbers (n=53). In 2025, the BOVEN in progression-free survival has been reported with an
phase 2 trial reported an excellent outcome of 72% ibrutinib–rituximab regimen.28 Of note, the
progression-free survival and 76% overall survival after chemotherapy control group was superior to an
2 years in patients with mantle cell lymphoma with p53 ibrutinib–rituximab regimen in patients with high
mutations, applying a well tolerated triple regimen biological risk. Combined targeted approaches might
combining a second-generation BTK inhibitor further overcome potential resistance mechanisms of
(zanubrutinib), a BLC2 antagonist (venetoclax), and a BTK inhibitor monotherapy. Accordingly, encouraging
CD20 antibody (obinutuzumab).18 Although the results in results have been reported for the combination of a BTK
our study appear even more favourable, future trials are inhibitor with the pro-apoptotic BCL2 antagonist,
required to define the optimal treatment strategy for this venetoclax, in patients with relapsed mantle cell
patient subset.19 lymphoma,29,30 and a triple combination with anti-CD20
Interestingly, the ECHO trial evaluating the more antibodies that achieved impressive and ongoing
specific, second-generation BTK inhibitor, acalabrutinib, remission rates as a first-line treatment.18 Similarly,
in combination with bendamustine–rituximab showed immunotherapeutic approaches, including CAR T cells
1964
Articles
or bispecific antibodies, have been shown to at least monitoring board or advisory board for AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Genmab,
partially overcome the negative prognostic effect of Johnson & Johnson, Roche, and Takeda. UM reports travel support from
Bristol-Myers Squibb/Celgene, Gilead, Janssen-Cilag, and Roche;
biological high-risk parameters.24,25 Support for these
participation in advisory boards for Bristol-Myers Squibb/Celgene,
results is required from currently recruiting randomised
Gilead, Janssen-Cilag, and Roche; and participation in a national
trials.31 guideline committee for the German–Swiss–Austrian Guideline for
In conclusion, based on the prespecified decision Mantle Cell Lymphoma. JR reports participation on an advisory board
for Johnson & Johnson. MT reports consulting fees from AbbVie,
strategy along with significantly improved survival after
Amgen, Autolus, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Caribou Biosciences, Genmab,
prolonged follow-up, this trial provides evidence Gilead, Incyte, Janssen, MorphoSys, Novartis, Roche, Swedish Orphan
supporting ibrutinib-containing chemotherapy without Biovitrum, and Takeda; payment or honoraria for lectures, presentations,
ASCT as a practice-informing alternative to ASCT-based speakers bureaus, manuscript writing, or educational events from
AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead, Janssen, MorphoSys,
consolidation in first-line treatment of adult patients
Novartis, Roche, Swedish Orphan Biovitrum, Swixx BioPharma, and
65 years or younger with mantle cell lymphoma. In the Takeda; support for attending meetings or travel from AbbVie, Gilead,
context of ibrutinib-containing induction and Janssen, Roche, Swedish Orphan Biovitrum, and Takeda; and
maintenance, ASCT does not improve the outcome of an participation on a data safety monitoring board or advisory board for
AbbVie, Amgen, Autolus, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Caribou Biosciences,
ibrutinib-based treatment in general. The hypothesis-
Genmab, Gilead, Incyte, Janssen, MorphoSys, Novartis, Roche, Swedish
generating results on potentially improved failure-free Orphan Biovitrum, and Takeda. VKJV reports payment to her institution
survival in patients with mantle cell lymphoma with for lectures for Johnson & Johnson. OS reports an institutional research
high-risk biology emphasise the need for further grant from Johnson & Johnson and honoraria for lectures from Johnson
& Johnson. MGdS reports grants or contracts from AstraZeneca;
research.
consulting fees from Janssen, Lilly, and Roche; payment or honoraria for
Contributors lectures, presentations, speakers bureaus, manuscript writing or
MD, JDo, EG, MJ, JW, MHu, UM, JR, MT, VKJV, OS, MGdS, SL, StS, educational events from Clinical Care Options; support for attending
AK, RDJ, GH, TvM, SW, PH, UN, JDi, MHa, CH, KS, CV, DD, AJMF, meetings or travel from AbbVie, BeOne, Gilead, Janssen, Lilly, and
CPa, PMS, CPo, WK, CS, MU, TT, and ML were involved in Roche; and participation on a data safety monitoring board or advisory
investigation. MD, JDo, EG, MJ, JW, MHu, UM, JR, MT, VKJV, OS, board for Munich University and Italian Lymphoma Foundation.
MGdS, SL, GH, CS, ML, and EH were involved providing resources. All SL reports grants or contracts to their institution from Bristol-Myers
authors were involved in writing the manuscript—reviewing and Squibb, Galapagos, Genmab, Novartis, and Roche; consulting fees from
editing. MD, JDo, EG, MJ, JW, UM, MT, OS, MGdS, GH, CS, MU, ML, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Roche; payment or honoraria for lectures,
and EH were involved in conceptualisation. MD, LJ, CS, and EH were presentations, speakers bureaus, manuscript writing, or educational
involved in methodology. MD, JDo, EG, MJ, JW, MHu, UM, JR, MT, events from AbbVie, Gilead, and Roche; participation on a data safety
VKJV, OS, MGdS, SL, CS, MU, and ML were involved in project monitoring board or advisory board for AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Gilead,
administration. MD, JDo, EG, MJ, JW, MHu, UM, JR, MT, VKJV, OS, Incyte, and Roche; and leadership or fiduciary roles in other board,
MGdS, SL, StS, AK, RDJ, GH, TvM, SW, PH, UN, JDi, MHa, CH, KS, society, committee, or advocacy group, paid or unpaid, for Nordic
CV, DD, AJMF, CPa, PMS, CPo, WK, CS, MU, TT, ML, and EH were Lymphoma Group and European Hematology Association. SS reports
involved in supervision. MD was involved in funding acquisition. LJ, grants or contracts from AbbVie, AstraZeneca, BeOne, Bristol-Myers
MU, and EH were involved in software. MD, CS, MU, and TT were Squibb, Galapagos, F Hoffmann-La Roche, Gilead, GSK, Johnson &
involved in data curation. All authors were involved in validation. MD, Johnson, Lilly, Novartis, and Sunesis Pharmaceuticals; consulting fees
LJ, MU, and EH were involved in formal analysis. MD, LJ, and EH were from AbbVie, AstraZeneca, BeOne, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Galapagos,
involved in writing the original manuscript draft. LJ and EH were F Hoffmann-La Roche, Gilead, GSK, Johnson & Johnson, Lilly, Novartis,
involved in visualisation. All authors had full access to all data in the and Sunesis Pharmaceuticals; payment or honoraria for lectures,
study and had final responsibility for the decision to submit for presentations, speakers bureaus, manuscript writing, or educational
publication. LJ, MU, and EH directly assessed and verified the events from AbbVie, AstraZeneca, BeOne, Bristol-Myers Squibb,
underlying data reported in the manuscript. Galapagos, F Hoffmann-La Roche, Gilead, GSK, Johnson & Johnson,
Lilly, Novartis, and Sunesis Pharmaceuticals; support for attending
Declaration of interests
meetings or travel from AbbVie, AstraZeneca, BeOne, Bristol-Myers
MD reports (institutional) support of academic studies from AbbVie,
Squibb, Galapagos, F Hoffmann-La Roche, Gilead, GSK, Johnson &
Gilead/Kite, Janssen, Lilly, and Roche; honoraria for independent
Johnson, Lilly, Novartis, and Sunesis Pharmaceuticals; participation on a
academic presentation from AbbVie, AstraZeneca, BeOne, Bristol-Myers
data safety monitoring board or advisory board for AbbVie, AstraZeneca,
Squibb, Gilead/Kite, Janssen, Lilly, and Swedish Orphan Biovitrum;
BeOne, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Galapagos, F Hoffmann-La Roche, Gilead,
congress travel support from Janssen and Roche; and participation on a
GSK, Johnson & Johnson, Lilly, Novartis, and Sunesis Pharmaceuticals;
scientific advisory board for AbbVie, AstraZeneca, AvenCell, BeOne,
and receipt of equipment, materials, drugs, medical writing support,
Bristol-Myers Squibb, Genmab, Gilead/Kite, Incyte, Janssen, Lilly,
gifts, or other services from AbbVie, AstraZeneca, BeOne, Bristol-Myers
Novartis, Roche, and Swedish Orphan Biovitrum. EG reports grants or
Squibb, Galapagos, F Hoffmann-La Roche, Gilead, GSK, Johnson &
contracts from Janssen and Lilly; payment or honoraria for lectures,
Johnson, Lilly, Novartis, and Sunesis Pharmaceuticals. AK reports
presentations, speakers bureaus, manuscript writing, or educational
consulting fees from Roche; payment or honoraria for lectures,
events from AstraZeneca, Gilead, Janssen, and Lilly; support for
presentations, speakers bureaus, manuscript writing, or educational
attending meetings or travel from AstraZeneca and Lilly; and
events from AbbVie, Alexion, Amgen, AstraZeneca, BeOne, Bristol-
participation on a data safety monitoring board or advisory board for
Myers Squibb, Lilly, Novartis, Recordati, Swedish Orphan Biovitrum,
Gilead. MJ reports payment or honoraria for lectures, presentations,
and Takeda; and support for attending meetings or travel from AbbVie,
participation in speakers bureaus, manuscript writing, or attendance at
Roche, and Swedish Orphan Biovitrum. RDJ reports travel support for
educational events from Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead/Kite, and Lilly;
meeting attendance from AstraZeneca, BeOne, Celgene, and Janssen;
payment for expert testimony from AstraZeneca and Johnson &
payment or honoraria for lectures, presentations, speakers bureaus,
Johnson; and participation on a data safety monitoring board or advisory
manuscript writing, or educational events from AstraZeneca, BeOne,
board for BeOne, Galapagos, Gilead/Kite, Lilly, and Roche. JW reports
Celgene, Janssen, Lilly, and Roche; support for attending meetings or
consulting fees from Gilead, MSD, and Regeneron; and lecture
travel from BeOne and Janssen; and participation on a data safety
honoraria from Gilead. MHu reports financial support of the present
monitoring board or advisory board for Celgene. GH reports grants or
study from Janssen/Johnson & Johnson; honoraria for lectures from
contracts for clinical research from AbbVie, Gilead/Kite, Janssen, Lilly,
AbbVie, Genmab, Roche, and Takeda; and participation on a data safety
Articles
and Roche; consulting fees from AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Beigene (BeOne), The following study groups supported the trial by providing resources
Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead/Kite, Incyte, Janssen, Miltenyi Biotec, and by project administration and supervision: Czech Lymphoma Study
MSD, Pierre Fabre, Regeneron, Roche, and Swedish Orphan Biovitrum; Group, Dutch-Belgian Cooperative Trial Group for Hematology
payment or honoraria for lectures, presentations, speakers bureaus, Oncology, Fondazione Italiana Linfomi, Grupo Español de Linfoma/
manuscript writing, or educational events from AbbVie, ADC Trasplante Autólogo de Médula Ósea, Instituto Português de Oncologia,
Therapeutics, AstraZeneca, BeiGene (BeOne), Bristol-Myers Squibb, Israeli Lymphoma Group, Nordic Lymphoma Group, Polish Lymphoma
Gilead/Kite, Incyte, Janssen, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Roche, and Swedish Research Group, and Swiss Cancer Institute (formerly Swiss Group for
Orphan Biovitrum; support for attending meetings or travel from Incyte, Clinical Cancer Research). During the preparation of this work, we used
Janssen, and Pierre Fabre; and participation on a data safety monitoring ChatGPT (GPT-5, OpenAI) to assist with minor language editing and
board or advisory board for AstraZeneca. TvM reports payment or improving readability of the manuscript. The tool was used under
honoraria for lectures, presentations, speakers bureaus, manuscript human oversight for language editing and paraphrasing only. No part of
writing or educational events from Gilead/Kite and Lilly; and the analysis, interpretation, or scientific conclusions was generated by
participation on a data safety monitoring board or advisory board for artificial intelligence. After using this tool, we reviewed and edited the
GE HealthCare and Gilead/Kite. UN reports consulting fees to or content as needed and take full responsibility for the content of the
through institution from AstraZeneca, BeiGene, Bristol-Myers Squibb/ publication.
Celgene, Gilead, Incyte, Janssen-Cilag, Kyowa Kirin, Novartis, Pierre
References
Fabre, Roche, and Takeda; payment or honoraria for lectures,
1 Martin P, Chadburn A, Christos P, et al. Outcome of deferred
presentations, speakers bureaus, manuscript writing, or educational initial therapy in mantle-cell lymphoma. J Clin Oncol 2009;
events to or through institution from Bristol-Myers Squibb/Celgene, 27: 1209–13.
Gilead, Novartis, and Takeda; support for attending meetings and/or 2 Dreyling M, Klapper W, Rule S. Blastoid and pleomorphic mantle
travel from Janssen, Gilead, Roche, and Takeda; and participation on a cell lymphoma: still a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge! Blood
data safety monitoring board or advisory board to or through his 2018; 132: 2722–729.
institution from AstraZeneca, BeiGene, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Celgene, 3 Eskelund CW, Dahl C, Hansen JW, et al. TP53 mutations identify
Gilead, Incyte, Janssen-Cilag, Kyowa Kirin, Novartis, Pierre Fabre, younger mantle cell lymphoma patients who do not benefit from
Roche, and Takeda. MHa reports consulting fees for advisory board intensive chemoimmunotherapy. Blood 2017; 130: 1903–10.
participation from Amgen, BeiGene, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead/Kite, 4 Aukema SM, Hoster E, Rosenwald A, et al. Expression of TP53 is
Janssen/Johnson & Johnson, Sanofi, and Swedish Orphan Biovitrum; associated with the outcome of MCL independent of MIPI and Ki-67
and honoraria for lectures from Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead/Kite, and in trials of the European MCL Network. Blood 2018; 131: 417–20.
Janssen/Johnson & Johnson. CV reports payment or honoraria for 5 Scheubeck G, Jiang L, Hermine O, et al. Clinical outcome of mantle
lectures, presentations, speakers bureaus, manuscript writing, or cell lymphoma patients with high-risk disease (high-risk MIPI-c or
educational events from AbbVie, AstraZeneca, BeOne, Bristol-Myers high p53 expression). Leukemia 2023; 37: 1887–94.
Squibb, Gilead/Kite, Incyte, Istituto Gentili, Johnson & Johnson, Kyowa 6 Zoellner AK, Unterhalt M, Stilgenbauer S, et al, and the European
Kirin, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, and Servier; and support for Mantle Cell Lymphoma Network. Long-term survival of patients with
attending meetings or travel from AbbVie, BeOne, and Johnson & mantle cell lymphoma after autologous haematopoietic stem-cell
Johnson. CPa reports participation on institutional advisory boards for transplantation in first remission: a post-hoc analysis of an open-
label, multicentre, randomised, phase 3 trial. Lancet Haematol 2021;
AbbVie, AstraZeneca, BeOne, and Johnson & Johnson. WK reports
8: e648–57.
institutional research grants from Amgen, InCyte, and Roche.
7 Hermine O, Jiang L, Walewski J, et al, and the European Mantle
CS reports consulting fees from Bristol-Myers Squibb; payment or
Cell Lymphoma Network. High-dose cytarabine and autologous
honoraria for lectures, presentations, speakers bureaus, manuscript
stem-cell transplantation in mantle cell lymphoma: long-term
writing, or educational events from AstraZeneca; and support for follow-up of the randomized Mantle Cell Lymphoma Younger Trial
attending meetings or travel from Johnson & Johnson and Swedish of the European Mantle Cell Lymphoma Network. J Clin Oncol
Orphan Biovitrum. ML reports grants or contracts from AbbVie, BeOne, 2023; 41: 479–84.
Incyte, Roche, and Swedish Orphan Biovitrum; payment or honoraria 8 Le Gouill S, Thieblemont C, Oberic L, et al, and the LYSA Group.
for lectures, presentations, speakers bureaus, manuscript writing, or Rituximab after autologous stem-cell transplantation in mantle-cell
educational events from AbbVie, ADC Therapeutics, Amgen, lymphoma. N Engl J Med 2017; 377: 1250–60.
AstraZeneca, BeOne, Bristol-Myers Squibb, EUSA Pharma, Ellipses 9 Wang ML, Rule S, Martin P, et al. Targeting BTK with ibrutinib in
Pharma, Genmab, Gilead/Kite, GSK, Instituto Gentili, Incyte, Janssen, relapsed or refractory mantle-cell lymphoma. N Engl J Med 2013;
Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Regeneron, Roche, and 369: 507–16.
Swedish Orphan Biovitrum; support for attending meetings or travel 10 Visco C, Di Rocco A, Evangelista A, et al. Outcomes in first
from AbbVie, ADC Therapeutics, Amgen, AstraZeneca, BeOne, Bristol- relapsed-refractory younger patients with mantle cell lymphoma:
Myers Squibb, EUSA Pharma, Ellipses Pharma, Genmab, Gilead/Kite, results from the MANTLE-FIRST study. Leukemia 2021; 35: 787–95.
GSK, Instituto Gentili, Incyte, Janssen, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Lilly, 11 Malinverni C, Bernardelli A, Glimelius I, et al. Outcomes of younger
MSD, Novartis, Regeneron, Roche, and Swedish Orphan Biovitrum; and patients with mantle cell lymphoma experiencing late relapse
participation on advisory boards for AbbVie, ADC Therapeutics, Amgen, (>24 months): the LATE-POD study. Blood 2024; 144: 1001–09.
AstraZeneca, BeOne, Bristol-Myers Squibb, EUSA Pharma, Ellipses 12 Dreyling M, Doorduijn J, Giné E, et al. Ibrutinib combined with
Pharma, Genmab, Gilead/Kite, GSK, Instituto Gentili, Incyte, Janssen, immunochemotherapy with or without autologous stem-cell
Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Regeneron, Roche, and transplantation versus immunochemotherapy and autologous stem-
cell transplantation in previously untreated patients with mantle
Swedish Orphan Biovitrum. All other authors (JDo, LJ, SW, PH, JDi,
cell lymphoma (TRIANGLE): a three-arm, randomised, open-label,
CH, KS, DD, AJMF, PMS, CPo, MU, TT, EH) declare no competing
phase 3 superiority trial of the European Mantle Cell Lymphoma
interests. Network. Lancet 2024; 403: 2293–306.
Data sharing 13 Bonnet C, Dupuis J, Till H, et al. Ibrutinib associated with
De-identified clinical data along with annotated case report forms and rituximab-platinum salt-based immunochemotherapy in B-cell
analysis codes can be provided on the basis of a scientific collaboration lymphomas: results of a phase 1b-II study of the LYSA group.
within the European Mantle Cell Lymphoma Network after approval of a Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14: 1761.
proposal by the scientific committee of the European Mantle Cell 14 Cheson BD, Pfistner B, Juweid ME, et al, and the International
Harmonization Project on Lymphoma. Revised response criteria for
Lymphoma Network (www.european-mcl.net). Researchers should
malignant lymphoma. J Clin Oncol 2007; 25: 579–86.
contact the corresponding author in order to request access to the data.
15 Whitehead J. The design and analysis of sequential clinical trials.
Acknowledgments Wiley, 1997.
This trial was funded by Janssen and partly supported by Blood Cancer 16 Whitehead J. Overrunning and underrunning in sequential clinical
United, formerly The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (MCL 7005–24). trials. Control Clin Trials 1992; 13: 106–21.
1966
Articles
17 Fenske TS, Wang XV, Till BG, et al. Lack of benefit of autologous 25 Wang M, Munoz J, Goy A, et al. KTE-X19 CAR T-cell therapy in
hematopoietic cell transplantation (auto-HCT) in mantle cell relapsed or refractory mantle-cell lymphoma. N Engl J Med 2020;
lymphoma (MCL) patients (pts) in first complete remission (CR) 382: 1331–42.
with undetectable minimal residual disease (uMRD): initial report 26 Phillips TJ, Carlo-Stella C, Morschhauser F, et al. Glofitamab in
from the ECOG-ACRIN EA4151 phase 3 randomized trial. relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma: results from a phase I/II
Blood 2024; 144 (suppl 2): LBA-6 (abstr). study. J Clin Oncol 2025; 43: 318–28.
18 Kumar A, Soumerai J, Abramson JS, et al. Zanubrutinib, 27 Mato AR, Shah NN, Jurczak W, et al. Pirtobrutinib in relapsed or
obinutuzumab, and venetoclax for first-line treatment of mantle cell refractory B-cell malignancies (BRUIN): a phase 1/2 study. Lancet
lymphoma with a TP53 mutation. Blood 2025; 145: 497–507. 2021; 397: 892–901.
19 Eyre TA, Cwynarski K, d’Amore F, et al, and the ESMO Guidelines 28 Lewis DJ, Jerkeman M, Sorrell L, et al, and the ENRICH
Committee. Lymphomas: ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline for investigators. Ibrutinib and rituximab versus
diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Ann Oncol 2025; 36: 1263–84. immunochemotherapy in patients with previously untreated mantle
20 Wang M, Salek D, Belada D, et al, and the ECHO investigators. cell lymphoma (ENRICH): a randomised, open-label, phase 2/3
Acalabrutinib plus bendamustine-rituximab in untreated mantle superiority trial. Lancet 2025; 406: 1953–68.
cell lymphoma. J Clin Oncol 2025; 43: 2276–84. 29 Tam CS, Anderson MA, Pott C, et al. Ibrutinib plus venetoclax for
21 Wang M, Rule S, Zinzani PL, et al. Acalabrutinib in relapsed or the treatment of mantle-cell lymphoma. N Engl J Med 2018;
refractory mantle cell lymphoma (ACE-LY-004): a single-arm, 378: 1211–23.
multicentre, phase 2 trial. Lancet 2018; 391: 659–67. 30 Wang M, Jurczak W, Trneny M, et al. Ibrutinib plus venetoclax in
22 Song Y, Zhou K, Zou D, et al. Zanubrutinib in relapsed/refractory relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (SYMPATICO):
mantle cell lymphoma: long-term efficacy and safety results from a a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled,
phase 2 study. Blood 2022; 139: 3148–58. phase 3 study. Lancet Oncol 2025; 26: 200–13.
23 National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice 31 Herold S, Schmidt C, Visco C, et al. The MCL elderly III trial
Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines): B-Cell Lymphomas. protocol: an international, randomized, open-label phase II trial to
Version 3.2025. investigate the combinations of venetoclax, ibrutinib and rituximab
24 Hess G, Dreyling M, Oberic L, et al. Real-world experience among or bendamustine, ibrutinib and rituximab in patients with
patients with relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma after treatment naive mantle cell lymphoma not eligible for dose-
Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor failure in Europe: the SCHOLAR-2 intensive treatment. BMC Cancer 2025; 25: 1370.
retrospective chart review study. Br J Haematol 2023; 202: 749–59.
---
[PDF原文](https://sci-net.xyz/storage/7932541/3819400569f73699f0ac8a7bec0a3d90443fecd083d1a89327418251b60755d7/Addition-of-autologous-stem-cell-transplantation-to-an-ibrutinib-containing-first-line-treatment.pdf)
DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00362-4