There are currently dozens of clinical trials examining new ways to treat mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). People can learn about trial recruitment at ClinicalTrials.gov.

Research into mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) aims to find new therapies for this type of blood cancer. MCL is an aggressive type of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that can present very differently from person to person.

Clinical trials help assess whether a new treatment is safe and effective in certain groups of people with a particular condition. Participating in a clinical trial can help advance cancer research and care. It can also help people who receive a cancer diagnosis in the future receive effective, safe treatment.

Before joining a study, a person can ask the researchers conducting the trial any questions they might have. The person may also reflect upon how trial participation might affect their cancer care journey.

A clinical trial is a research study with strict controls in place to evaluate a medical intervention. Before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a new drug or treatment, there must be clinical trials to help show that the treatment is safe and effective.

Researchers might conduct a clinical trial to measure the effectiveness of a new treatment and identify any side effects. They might also run trials to test new ways of using established treatments, such as combining standard drug therapies.

Typically, clinical trials involve treatment and control groups. This means someone with MCL who participates in a trial might receive standard treatment instead of the experimental treatment.

Each clinical trial has its own criteria for people who might be eligible to join. MCL studies might seek out people who have tried other treatments for MCL, whose MCL is in remission, or whose diagnosis is at a specific stage.

The trial recruitment details should indicate what the study is looking for in potential participants. Those details might include age, gender, medical conditions besides MCL, and specific types of MCL, such as those related to certain genes.

The details might also list factors that make someone ineligible to participate, such as undergoing a specific type of current MCL treatment.

Each clinical trial comes with its own set of benefits and risks. A person might discuss these with their cancer care team before choosing to join the trial.

Through a clinical trial, someone with MCL might have access to treatments that they otherwise could not receive. Generally, clinical trials help advance cancer research and may help others who have an MCL diagnosis.

Some risks include experiencing new or more intense side effects while undergoing the experimental treatment compared with standard treatment. Also, an experimental treatment may not be more effective than the standard treatment in certain individuals, even if it works for some people.

A trial participant might have to receive extra testing or attend more medical visits, which can take time. However, these visits may allow a person to receive more support and care from their clinical team. All participants might need these tests and visits, regardless of whether they are receiving the experimental treatment.

Clinical trials are crucial for making advances in MCL treatment. However, anyone who considers participating in a trial will need to ask questions to become fully informed.

The National Cancer Institute recommends several questions for a potential participant to ask a clinical trial team, including:

  • What is the purpose of this clinical trial?
  • What are the potential risks?
  • How long does a person need to stay in the trial?
  • How often does a person need to go to the hospital, clinic, or testing center?
  • Who will lead the participant’s cancer care during the trial?
  • How can participants ask questions during the trial?
  • Are there any costs associated with participating in the trial?
  • How will the trial affect daily life?
  • How will the researchers keep health information private?
  • What happens to the participant’s cancer care if they leave the trial early?

ClinicalTrials.gov has dozens of trials for MCL therapies.

People with an interest in certain medicines under investigation can search for trials looking at those specific medicines. A person can also look for classes of therapies such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, low dose radiation, and others.

Many of these trials are currently recruiting participants in the U.S. A person might also speak with a doctor or cancer care specialist about clinical trials and how they might participate.

Here are four clinical trials currently underway:

Phase II study of pirtobrutinib with venetoclax in relapsed-refractory MCL patients

This phase II trial is examining the combination of two drugs and whether they can control relapsed or refractory MCL. The study began in 2023 and is estimated to continue until 2027. It is taking place at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05529069).

Phase II study of pirtobrutinib, rituximab (PR) in previously untreated low and intermediate-risk MCL patients

This trial is examining a combination of two drugs for the treatment of low and intermediate-risk MCL. Specifically, the researchers are studying the treatment’s safety profile and whether the drug regimen can lead to long-term remission. The study began in 2024 at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, and is expected to finish in 2027 (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06263491).

Phase II study of glofitamab with pirtobrutinib for relapsed or refractory MCL

This trial is also examining a drug combination and its effectiveness at treating relapsed or refractory MCL. The researchers are looking at safety, tolerability, and efficacy as indicated by progression-free and overall survival. This study is happening at the University of California, San Francisco. It started in 2024 and is scheduled to run until 2028 (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06252675).

Phase III testing continuous versus intermittent treatment with the study drug zanubrutinib for older patients with previously untreated MCL

This trial is examining whether it is equally safe and effective to stop zanubrutinib therapy after MCL remission with combination zanubrutinib and rituximab. Current protocol involves healthcare professionals administering zanubrutinib indefinitely, even after remission. The trial is recruiting at several U.S. locations. It started in 2023 and is scheduled to end in 2038 (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05976763).

Clinical trials are essential for the development of new and effective treatments for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Researchers actively seek participants for these trials. It is important for people with MCL who wish to join a trial to ask questions about the purpose of the research, their obligations as participants, and how their cancer care might change during a trial.