NCT07220187 · SWOG Cancer Research Network
Adding Pirtobrutinib to the Usual Treatment for People With Newly Diagnosed Richter Transformation, The PIRAMID Trial
What this study is about
This phase III trial compares the effect of adding pirtobrutinib to the usual treatment with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP) to R-CHOP alone for the treatment of Richter transformation, which is when chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma turns into large B-cell lymphoma, a more aggressive (faster-growing) form of lymphoma.
View original scientific description
This phase III trial compares the effect of adding pirtobrutinib to the usual treatment with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP) to R-CHOP alone for the treatment of Richter transformation, which is when chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma turns into large B-cell lymphoma, a more aggressive (faster-growing) form of lymphoma. Pirtobrutinib may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody. It binds to a protein called CD20, which is found on B cells (a type of white blood cell) and some types of cancer cells. This may help the immune system kill cancer cells. Cyclophosphamide is in a class of medications called alkylating agents. It works by damaging the cell's DNA and may kill cancer cells. It may also lower the body's immune response. Doxorubicin is in a class of medications called anthracyclines. Doxorubicin damages the cell's DNA and may kill cancer cells. It also blocks a certain enzyme needed for cell division and DNA repair. Vincristine is in a class of medications called vinca alkaloids. It works by stopping cancer cells from growing and dividing and may kill them. Prednisone is in a class of medications called corticosteroids. It is used to reduce inflammation and lower the body's immune response to help lessen the side effects of chemotherapy drugs. Adding pirtobrutinib to R-CHOP may kill more cancer cells than R-CHOP alone in patients with Richter transformation.
Interventions
PROCEDURE
Biospecimen Collection
Undergo blood and buccal swab sample collection
PROCEDURE
Computed Tomography
Undergo CT scan and/or PET/CT scan
DRUG
Cyclophosphamide
Given IV
DRUG
Doxorubicin Hydrochloride
Given IV
PROCEDURE
Echocardiography Test
Undergo echocardiography
PROCEDURE
Multigated Acquisition Scan
Undergo MUGA scan
DRUG
Pirtobrutinib
Given PO
PROCEDURE
Positron Emission Tomography
Undergo PET/CT scan
DRUG
Prednisone
Given PO
BIOLOGICAL
Rituximab
Given IV
BIOLOGICAL
Rituximab and Hyaluronidase Human
Given SC
OTHER
Survey Administration
Ancillary studies
DRUG
Vincristine
Given IV
Primary outcome measures
Progression free survival (PFS)
Time frame: Up to 7 years
Progression free survival: is measured from date of randomization to the first of progression or death from any cause. Participants last known to be alive without progression will be censored at the date of last contact.
Overall free survival
Time frame: Up to 7 years
Overall free survival: is measured from date of randomization date of death from any cause. Participants last known to be alive will be censored at the date of last contact.
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
- Participants must have been diagnosed with Richter Transformation (RT) (CLL/small lymphocytic lymphoma \[SLL\] to LBCL)
- Participants must have histologically or cytologically confirmed LBCL
- Participants must have measurable disease determined by PET/CT or hematopathology (by morphology or flow cytometry) assessment within 42 days prior to registration
- Participants must have staging PET/CT imaging performed within 42 days prior to registration
- Participants are allowed prior treatments for CLL/SLL or its complications (autoimmune hemolytic anemia \[AIHA\], immune thrombocytopenic purpura \[ITP\]), with the exception of pirtobrutinib
- Participants must not have prior treatment for Richter transformation except for corticosteroids up to equivalent dose of prednisone 700 mg total for less than 7 days for disease control. Treatment for CLL/SLL with CLL/SLL directed drugs (including BTK inhibitors with the exception of pirtobrutinib) after the Richter transformation diagnosis is allowed for the purpose of disease control. CLL targeted therapies must be stopped within 3 days before initiation of therapy on protocol. Chemotherapy or anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody therapy must be stopped within 2 weeks before initiation of therapy on protocol
- Participants must not have contraindication for receiving anthracycline. Participants must not have received more than a cumulative dose of 100mg/m\^2 in those participants who will receive R-CHOP or not more than 250 mg/m\^2 in those participants who will receive R-mini-CHOP of prior doxorubicin (or equivalent dose of another anthracycline, such as epirubicin) therapy (at any time prior to registration)
- Patients requiring strong CYP3A inducers are not eligible and can only be enrolled if
- an alternative treatment to the strong CYP3A inducer is available for them and
- the last dose of the strong CYP3A inducer is administered at least 7 days before initiation of pirtobrutinib for patients in safety run-in and arm 1
- Participant must be ≥ 18 years old at the time of registration
- Participant must have Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG)/Zubrod Performance Status of 0-2
- Participant must have a complete medical history and physical exam within 28 days prior to registration
- Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 0.75 x 10\^3/µL or ≥ 0.50 x 10\^3/µL in participants with suspected marrow involvement considered to impair hematopoiesis (within 28 days prior to registration)
- Platelets ≥ 50 x 10\^3/µL or ≥ 30 x 10\^3/µL in participants with suspected marrow involvement considered to impair hematopoiesis (within 28 days prior to registration)
- Hemoglobin ≥ 8 g/dL (≥ 80 g/L) or ≥ 6 g/dL in participants with suspected bone marrow involvement considered to impair hematopoiesis (within 28 days prior to registration)
- Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x institutional upper limit of normal (ULN) or ≤ 3 x ULN with documented liver involvement and/or Gilbert's disease (within 28 days prior to registration)
- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) / alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤ 3 × institutional ULN or ≤ 5 ULN with documented liver involvement (within 28 days prior to registration)
- Participants must have a calculated creatinine clearance ≥ 30 mL/min using the Cockcroft-Gault Formula. This specimen must have been drawn and processed within 28 days prior to registration. For the Cockcroft-Gault formula for calculated creatinine clearance, see the tools on the CRA Workbench https://txwb.crab.org/TXWB/Tools.aspx
- Participants must have a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 45% as measured by echocardiogram or radionuclide (MUGA) ventriculography within 56 days prior to registration
- Participants with known history or current symptoms of cardiac disease, or history of treatment with cardiotoxic agents, must have a clinical risk assessment of cardiac function using the New York Heart Association Functional Classification. To be eligible for this trial, participants must be class 2B or better
- HIV-infected patients on effective anti-retroviral therapy with undetectable viral load within 6 months are eligible for this trial. Participants' HIV-directed therapy cannot have known interactions with pirtobrutinib
- Participants with a known history of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection must have undetectable HBV viral load while on suppressive therapy on the most recent test results obtained within 6 months prior to registration
- Participants with a known history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection must have been treated and cured. Participants currently being treated for HCV infection must have undetectable HCV viral load test on the most recent test results obtained within 6 months prior to registration
- Participants must be able to swallow and retain oral medications and have no known gastrointestinal disorders likely to interfere with absorption of oral medications
- Participants must not have a prior or concurrent malignancy in addition to CLL/SLL and Richter transformation whose natural history or treatment (in the opinion of the treating physician) has the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational regimen
- Participants must not have had major surgery within 28 days prior to registration
- Participants must not have experienced a major bleeding event or grade ≥ 3 arrhythmia on prior treatment with a BTK inhibitor.
- NOTE: Major bleeding is defined as bleeding having one or more of the following features: potentially life-threatening bleeding with signs or symptoms of hemodynamic compromise; bleeding associated with a decrease in the hemoglobin level of at least 2g per deciliter; or bleeding in a critical area or organ (e.g., retroperitoneal, intraarticular, pericardial, epidural, or intracranial bleeding or intramuscular bleeding with compartment syndrome
- Participants must not be pregnant or nursing (nursing includes breast milk fed to an infant by any means, including from the breast, milk expressed by hand, or pumped). Individuals who are of reproductive potential must have agreed to use an effective contraceptive method with details provided as a part of the consent process. A person who has had menses at any time in the preceding 12 consecutive months or who has semen likely to contain sperm is considered to be of "reproductive potential." In addition to routine contraceptive methods, "effective contraception" also includes refraining from sexual activity that might result in pregnancy and surgery intended to prevent pregnancy (or with a side-effect of pregnancy prevention) including hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, bilateral tubal ligation/occlusion, and vasectomy with testing showing no sperm in the semen
- Participants must be offered the opportunity to participate in specimen banking
- Participants must agree to have blood and lymphatic tissue specimens submitted for the integrated translational medicine study
- For randomized participants only: Participants who can complete PRO-CTCAE and FACIT GP5 questionnaires forms in English or Spanish must be offered the opportunity to participate in the patient-reported outcome
Where
- Irvine, California
- Laguna Hills, California
- Orange, California
- Bloomington, Illinois
- Canton, Illinois
- Carthage, Illinois
- Danville, Illinois
- Decatur, Illinois
- Effingham, Illinois
- Eureka, Illinois
- Galesburg, Illinois
- Kewanee, Illinois
And 39 more locations — see the full list below.
Collaborators
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
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 Oct 13, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations