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Updated June 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 2INTERVENTIONAL

Polatuzumab Vedotin in Combination With Chemotherapy in Subjects With Richter's Transformation

Phase II Study of Polatuzumab Vedotin in Combination With Chemotherapy in Subjects With Richter's Transformation

Polatuzumab Vedotin in Combination With Chemotherapy in Subjects With Richter's Transformation (NCT04679012) is a Phase 2 interventional studying Richter Syndrome and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, sponsored by Weill Medical College of Cornell University. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

This study evaluates the effectiveness and safety of Polatuzumab vedotin plus infusional chemoimmunotherapy containing rituximab, etoposide, prednisone, cyclophosphamide and hydroxydaunorubicin. This is a single arm study. Enrolled patients will receive up to six cycles (21-day cycles) of therapy. While on study, subjects will be monitored weekly until end of treatment, then followed for 52 weeks or until disease progression or discontinuation due to toxicity or death. After completion of the 52-week follow-up/End of study visit, Subjects will be followed for an additional 104 week period, with an assessment occurring every 12 weeks to evaluate survival outcomes and next line of treatments only.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 2 trials evaluate whether a treatment actually works against Richter Syndrome and continue monitoring side effects. Phase 2 enrolls larger groups (typically 100–300 patients) and produces the first real efficacy signal. A successful Phase 2 readout is what unlocks the much larger Phase 3 confirmatory trials needed for FDA approval.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

With a target enrollment of 20 participants, this is a small study — typical of early-phase research, rare-disease trials, or pilot studies designed to generate preliminary signal before a larger study is launched.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: - Subject must have confirmed diagnosis of CLL or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) based upon 2018 International Workshop on CLL (IwCLL) criteria, with biopsy proven Richter's Transformation to a DLBCL subtype. - Subject must be ≥18 years of age. - Subject must be able to sign willing to sign a consent form - Ability and willingness to comply with the study protocol procedures - expected to live at least 24 weeks - Subject must have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of ≤2. - Subject must have measurable disease with atleast on LN\>- 1.5cm in longest diameter - Subject must have adequate bone marrow function and meet the below thresholds prior to treatment. - Absolute neutrophil count of ≥1000 cell/uL - blood count (hemoglobin) at least 7 g/dL - Platelet count ≥ 30,000 cells/uL- Subjects may receive growth factor or transfusion support no less than 7 days prior to enrollment or C1 D1. - Subject must have your organs (liver, kidneys, etc.) are working well enough based on blood tests and meet the thresholds below: - Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN). Subjects with Gilbert's disease will be granted exception to this rule. - Creatinine clearance \>30 ml/min/1.73m2 as calculated by the MDRD equation. - Ejection fraction ≥ 50% measured by transthoracic echocardiogram or MUGA scan - For women of childbearing potential: agreement to remain abstinent or use of contraceptive methods that result in a failure rate of \< 1% per year during the treatment period and for at least 12 months after the last dose of study drug. - A woman is considered to be of childbearing potential if she is post-menarcheal, has not reached a postmenopausal state (i.e. ≥ 12 months of amenorrhea with no identified cause other than menopause) and has not undergone surgical sterilization (removal of ovaries and or uterus) - Acceptable forms of contraception are bilateral tubal ligation, male sterilization, or copper intrauterine devices. ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
Inclusion Criteria: * Subject must have confirmed diagnosis of CLL or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) based upon 2018 International Workshop on CLL (IwCLL) criteria, with biopsy proven Richter's Transformation to a DLBCL subtype. * Subject must be ≥18 years of age. * Subject must be able to sign informed consent * Ability and willingness to comply with the study protocol procedures * Life expectancy of at least 24 weeks * Subject must have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of ≤2. * Subject must have measurable disease with atleast on LN\>- 1.5cm in longest diameter * Subject must have adequate bone marrow function and meet the below thresholds prior to treatment. * Absolute neutrophil count of ≥1000 cell/uL * Hemoglobin ≥ 7 g/dL * Platelet count ≥ 30,000 cells/uL- Subjects may receive growth factor or transfusion support no less than 7 days prior to enrollment or C1 D1. * Subject must have adequate organ function and meet the thresholds below: * Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN). Subjects with Gilbert's disease will be granted exception to this rule. * Creatinine clearance \>30 ml/min/1.73m2 as calculated by the MDRD equation. * Ejection fraction ≥ 50% measured by transthoracic echocardiogram or MUGA scan * For women of childbearing potential: agreement to remain abstinent or use of contraceptive methods that result in a failure rate of \< 1% per year during the treatment period and for at least 12 months after the last dose of study drug. * A woman is considered to be of childbearing potential if she is post-menarcheal, has not reached a postmenopausal state (i.e. ≥ 12 months of amenorrhea with no identified cause other than menopause) and has not undergone surgical sterilization (removal of ovaries and or uterus) * Acceptable forms of contraception are bilateral tubal ligation, male sterilization, or copper intrauterine devices. * For women considered to have childbearing potential a negative serum pregnancy test within 7 days prior to study enrollment and dosing is required. * For men, agreement to remain abstinent, or to use a condom plus an additional contraceptive method during the treatment period and for at least 5 months after the last dose of study drug. * Men must agree not to donate sperm during that period of time. Male patients interested in preservation of fertility should be advised to sperm bank prior to enrollment and treatment initiation. Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of Richter's Transformation not of DLBCL subtype (including but not limited to Hodgkin lymphoma, PLL) * Prior therapy targeting Richter's transformation. * Any subject that initiates a targeted agent such as BTKi, venetoclax, or PI3K prior to enrollment (Continuation of a targeted CLL directed therapy such as a BTKi, venetoclax, or PI3K will be permitted as a bridge through screening but add on therapies or change in therapy will be exclusionary. These continuation therapies will be permitted up 72 hours prior to study initiation. Bridging therapy with steroid up to equivalent of 40mg of Dexamethasone daily will be allowed prior to study treatment and can be continued up to 24 hours prior to study treatment) * Subject has undergone an allogeneic stem cell transplant for CLL within 6 months of study entry. * Subject has an active or presumed secondary malignancy at time of enrollment. A subject will be eligible if a previous malignancy was treated with curative intent and there is no evidence of disease recurrence for the past 3 years. Non-melanomatous and cervical squamous cell cancers are an exception and if excised will be allowed to enroll regardless of timing of excision. * Subject is known to be positive for HIV. * Active hepatitis C or hepatitis B defined by positive PCRs for viral DNA/RNA. Subjects with a positive Hep B core antibody and negative PCR, are allowed to enroll (prophylaxis is strongly encouraged and monthly monitoring of Hep B PCR is mandatory). * Subject has baseline ≥ Grade 2 or greater peripheral neuropathy. * History of severe allergic or anaphylactic reactions to humanized or murine monoclonal antibodies * Clinical evidence or known central nervous system involvement with transformed large cells * Evidence of significant, uncontrolled concomitant diseases that could affect compliance with the protocol or interpretation of results * Significant cardiovascular disease (such as New York Heart Association Class III or IV cardiac disease, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction within the previous 6 months, unstable arrhythmias, or unstable angina) * Known active bacterial, viral, fungal, mycobacterial, parasitic, or other infection (excluding fungal infections of nail beds) at study enrollment or any major episode of infection requiring treatment with intravenous antibiotics or hospitalization within 4 weeks before Cycle 1 day 1. * Major surgery within 4 weeks before the start of Cycle 1 day 1. Superficial lymph node biopsies or laprascopic lymph node biopsies are exclusionary to this rule.

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

Polatuzumab Vedotin

Polatuzumab vedotin will be administered as an IV infusion at 1.8mg/kg on Day 1 of each cycle, every 21 days.

DRUG

Rituximab

Rituximab will be obtained from commercial supply, and will be given for a total of 6 cycles for all patients. The drug will be given by IV route.

DRUG

Etoposide

Etoposide will be obtained from commercial supply, and will be given for a total of 6 cycles for all patients. The drug will be given by IV route.

DRUG

Prednisone

Prednisone will be obtained from commercial supply, and will be given for a total of 6 cycles for all patients. Prednisone will be given orally.

DRUG

Cyclophosphamide

Cyclophosphamide will be obtained from commercial supply, and will be given for a total of 6 cycles for all patients. The drug will be given by IV route.

DRUG

Hydroxydaunomycin

Hydroxydaunomycin will be obtained from commercial supply, and will be given for a total of 6 cycles for all patients. The drug will be given by IV route.

Locations (4)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

Mount Sinai- Icahn School of Medicine
New York, New York, United States
Columbia University Medical Center
New York, New York, United States
Weill Cornell Medicine
New York, New York, United States
Ohio state University
Columbus, Ohio, United States

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT04679012), the sponsor (Weill Medical College of Cornell University), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT04679012 clinical trial studying?

This study evaluates the effectiveness and safety of Polatuzumab vedotin plus infusional chemoimmunotherapy containing rituximab, etoposide, prednisone, cyclophosphamide and hydroxydaunorubicin. This is a single arm study. Enrolled patients will receive up to six cycles (21-day cycles) of therapy. While on study, subjects will be monitored weekly until end of treatment, then followed for 52 weeks or until disease progression or discontinuation due to toxicity or death. After completion of the 52-week follow-up/End of study visit, Subjects will be followed for an additional 104 week period, wit… The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT04679012?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT04679012?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT04679012. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT04679012. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-06-26 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.