Dr. Maddocks on Ongoing Sequencing Challenges in DLBCL

Kami J. Maddocks, MD, an associate professor of clinical internal medicine, Division of Hematology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center–James, discusses ongoing sequencing challenges in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

As more therapies are approved for the treatment of patients with DLBCL, sequencing challenges continue to arise, Maddocks explains.

For example, the question of whether CAR T-cell therapies can be moved into earlier lines of treatment for patients with high-risk disease or who are not candidates for autologous stem cell transplant remains unanswered, Maddocks says.

Additionally, the recently approved CD19-directed monoclonal antibody tafasitamab-cxix (Monjuvi) in combination with lenalidomide (Revlimid), as well as other CD19-directed therapies under investigation, may have efficacy earlier on in treatment or for patients who progress after CAR T-cell therapy, says Maddocks.

Other therapies such as polatuzumab vedotin (Polivy) in combination with bendamustine and rituximab (Rituxan; BR) and selinexor (Xpovio) are currently approved for the treatment of patients who have received at least 2 prior therapies. However, the optimal role of these agents has yet to be determined, concludes Maddocks.