Dr. Juan Alderuccio at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center just secured a $625,000 Blood Cancer United Scholar in Clinical Research Award. That money is already pushing three clinical trials for large B-cell lymphoma ahead. This is not a routine grant. It is a direct push for new, patient-focused ways to treat lymphoma.
Most grants fund a single project. This one backs Dr. Alderuccio’s whole research vision. He leads early-stage clinical trials for blood cancers. The award will help turn molecular discoveries into real changes for people facing aggressive lymphoma. The goal is clear. Better outcomes for patients who need new options.
Recent analyses highlight the growing role of bispecific antibodies, such as epcoritamab, in the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and related lymphomas, reflecting a shift toward off-the-shelf immunotherapies.
New trials for high-risk lymphoma
Three investigator-initiated trials are at the center of this program. The first is already enrolling at Sylvester. It tests a mix of zanubrutinib and polatuzumab vedotin with R-CHP and high-dose methotrexate. The target: patients whose large B-cell lymphoma has spread to the central nervous system. These patients have had poor survival in the past. This study (NCT06730542) is one of the few in the country focused on secondary central nervous system lymphoma.
The second trial will start in late 2026. It will use circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a real-time marker. The idea is to guide how long patients get cytotoxic chemotherapy for untreated large B-cell lymphoma. Treatment length will match each patient’s response. The aim: cut down on toxicity but keep the treatment strong. This is a step toward truly personalized care.
The third trial is also open for enrollment. It tests an off-the-shelf antibody combo: epcoritamab with loncastuximab tesirine. This is for patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma (NCT06919939). There are plans to open this study at more sites. More patients could get access to new regimens. For many, options are few.
While there is active discussion and expert commentary on epcoritamab and its use in relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma, independent primary sources confirming the current enrollment status or expansion of the NCT06730542 and NCT06919939 trials are not available in public search results.
Digging into biology and impact
Each trial does more than test new drugs. The team is also looking at why some patients respond and others do not. Dr. Alderuccio’s group will use molecular imaging, blood biomarkers, and genomic tissue analysis. They want to find the roots of resistance and response. This builds on earlier work, like a phase 2 trial of loncastuximab tesirine and rituximab in high-risk follicular lymphoma. That study helped update National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines and gave patients more treatment choices.
"This award is incredibly meaningful because it recognizes my research program in large B-cell lymphoma dedicated to improving the lives of these patients. It provides an opportunity to build on three investigator-initiated clinical trials that we’ve developed and started at Sylvester, accelerating the development of more effective, patient-centered treatment strategies," Dr. Alderuccio said.
These trials are part of a bigger shift in blood cancer research. New tools like ctDNA are making therapies more precise and less toxic. As shown in recent coverage of bispecific antibody strategies, the field is moving fast. The aim is to target cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. Accuracy is rising.
Editorial view
Dr. Alderuccio’s program shows the move away from one-size-fits-all care. It blends clinical trial work with molecular science. The Blood Cancer United award is not just a personal honor. It is a bet on the future of lymphoma treatment. The hope: the right therapy at the right time for every patient. The real test is coming. Can these precision trials deliver big changes for people who have faced tough odds and harsh side effects? The old era of generic chemotherapy is fading. A new approach is taking hold. This research is leading the way.
