NCT05389423 · National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Pomalidomide and Dose-Adjusted EPOCH +/- Rituximab for HIV-Associated Lymphomas
What this study is about
Background: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the most common cancer among people living with HIV in the United States. People with HIV are up to 17 times more likely to get NHL than people who do not have HIV. The disease may also be different in these two groups. More study is needed for treating people with both HIV and NHL.
View original scientific description
Background: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the most common cancer among people living with HIV in the United States. People with HIV are up to 17 times more likely to get NHL than people who do not have HIV. The disease may also be different in these two groups. More study is needed for treating people with both HIV and NHL. Objective: To test a study drug (pomalidomide) in combination with chemotherapy with or without another drug (rituximab) in people with HIV-associated NHL. Eligibility: Adults aged 18 years or older diagnosed with HIV-associated B-cell NHL with high-risk features. Design: Individuals will undergo screening. They will have a physical exam. They will have blood and urine tests and tests of heart function. They may have imaging scans. Researchers will review tissue samples of individual s tumors. In some cases, a new biopsy may be needed. Individuals will receive up to 6 cycles of treatment. The first cycle is 26 days: Individuals will take pomalidomide by mouth for 10 days. After 5 days they will start receiving chemotherapy drugs through a tube attached to a needle placed in a vein (IV). Some participants will receive rituximab on day 5. All individuals will receive a second set of IV drugs that will last for 4 days (96 hours). They will receive another IV drug after the previous treatment is complete. The remaining cycles are each 21 days. Individuals will take pomalidomide by mouth for the first 10 days. Other chemotherapy treatments will also be repeated starting on day 1 of each cycle. Screening tests will be repeated at study visits. Follow-up visits will continue for 4 years....
Interventions
DRUG
Vincristine
0.4 mg/m2/day administered by CIVI on days 1 to 4
DRUG
Prednisone
60 mg/m2/day administered orally on days 1 to 5
DRUG
Doxorubicin
10 mg/m2/day administered by CIVI on days 1 to 4
DRUG
Etoposide
50 mg/m2/day administered by CIVI on days 1 to 4
DRUG
Pomalidomide
An initial dose of 3mg administered orally for 10 days in all cycles. In cycle 1, it will start 5 days before DA-EPOCH; in cycles 2-6, it will start on day 1. Administered at an MTD dose for the expansion phase.
DRUG
Cyclophosphamide
750 mg/m2 administered IV on day 5
DRUG
Rituximab
375 mg/m2 administered IV on day 1 (only for CD20+ tumors)
Primary outcome measures
safety and tolerability
Time frame: 6 cycles of treatment, or until confirmed progression, unacceptable toxicity or trial withdrawal
The fraction of individuals with toxicity noted at each dose level will be reported by grade and type of toxicity identified. Maximum tolerated dose will also be reported.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Histologically or cytologically confirmed B-cell NHL confirmed by the Laboratory of Pathology (LP), NCI, with one or more of the following features:
- Leptomeningeal/CSF involvement
- High-risk for CNS relapse per CNS-IPI (score 4-6)
- Plasmablastic histology
- Gamma herpesvirus positive tumor
- Presence of KS
- Measurable or evaluable lymphoma.
- Positive HIV1/2 serology.
- Individuals may not have received prior curative-intent chemotherapy for lymphoma. Individuals who have received prior treatment as a bridge to curative-intent therapy will be considered per Protocol Chair discretion if \>= 2 weeks since administration. Steroids given for any reason or rituximab given for multicentric Castleman disease may be given any time prior to treatment start.
- Age \>=18 years
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG-PS) \<=4
- Individuals of childbearing potential (IOCBP) must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test with a sensitivity of at least 25 mIU/mL within 2 weeks prior to and again within 1 day before starting the study drugs and must either commit to continued abstinence from penetrative vaginal intercourse or begin TWO acceptable methods of birth control, one highly effective method and one additional effective method AT THE SAME TIME, at least 28 days before the participant starts taking pomalidomide and for 12 months after the last dose of combined chemotherapy.
- Individuals able to father a child must agree to use an effective method of contraception (barrier, surgical sterilization, abstinence) for the duration of the study treatment and up to six (6) months after the last dose of the study drug(s). We also will recommend individuals able to father a child with IOCBP partners to ask the partners to be on an effective birth control (hormonal, intrauterine device (IUD), surgical sterilization). Individuals able to father a child must not freeze or donate sperm within the same period.
- All individuals must agree to be registered into the mandatory POMALYST REMS(R)TM program and be willing and able to comply with the requirements of the POMALYST REMS(R)TM program.
- Able to take aspirin 81mg orally daily or another substitute thromboprophylaxis.
- Adequate organ and marrow function as defined below unless abnormalities are attributed to lymphoma or HIV as determined by investigator:
- absolute neutrophil count \>=1,000/mcL
- platelets \>=75,000/mcL
- total bilirubin \<=1.5 X institutional upper limit of normal (individuals with history of Gilbert disease are eligible if total bilirubin \<= 5 mg/dL with \<80% unconjugated bilirubin)
- aspartate aminotransferase (AST) / alanine transaminase (ALT) \<=3 X institutional upper limit of normal
- creatinine clearance \>=60 mL/min/1.73 m\^2 for individuals with creatinine levels above institutional normal.
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection must be on suppressive antiviral therapy.
- Willingness to take and adhere to ART (individuals are not required to be on any specific regimen of ART).
- Individuals must understand and sign a written informed consent document.
Exclusion criteria
- Individuals may not receive investigational agents on other clinical trials.
- Requirement of any of the agents listed as prohibited thearapies.
- History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to pomalidomide or other agents used in study.
- Parenchymal brain involvement with lymphoma.
- Ejection fraction less than 40% by echocardiography (ECHO)
- CTCAEv5.0 Grade 3-4 neuropathy
- History of malignant tumors other than KS or KSHV-associated multicentric Castleman Disease, (MCD), unless:
- In complete remission for \>= 1 year from the time response was first documented; or,
- Completely resected basal cell carcinoma; or,
- In situ squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix or anus; or,
- Prior or concurrent malignancy has a natural history or treatment which does not have the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational regimen per Protocol Chair discretion.
- Known drug-related, inherited, or acquired procoagulant disorder including prothrombin gene mutation 20210, antithrombin III deficiency, protein C deficiency, protein S deficiency and antiphospholipid syndrome but not including heterozygosity for the Factor V Leiden mutation or the presence of a lupus anticoagulant in the absence of other criteria for the antiphospholipid syndrome.
- Symptomatic congestive heart failure
- Unstable angina pectoris, symptomatic cardiac arrhythmia, or cardiac arrhythmia requiring medical treatment.
- Uncontrolled intercurrent illness or participants considered to be of poor medical health due to a serious, uncontrolled medical disorder, non-malignant systemic disease or active uncontrolled infection (excluding lymphoma or HIV) as documented in prior records or suggested by medical history, physical examination or standard clinical assessments such as imaging and laboratory studies.
- Pregnant or nursing individuals (if lactating, must agree not to nurse while taking pomalidomide).
Where
- Bethesda, Maryland
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Jun 30, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations