Optimise viewing for

Toggle between patient and health professional views. The patient version is simplified to help people easily find suitable trials, while the professional view provides full detail.

No longer recruiting (closed or complete)Last updated: 24 September 2025

POLAR BEAR: This study is recruiting elderly people with untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma to compare two different chemotherapy and targeted therapy treatment regimensR-MINI-CHOP Versus R-MINI-CHP in Combination With Polatuzumab-vedotin, as Primary Treatment for Patients With Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma, ≥80 Years, or Frail ≥75 Years - an Open Label Randomized Nordic Lymphoma Group Phase III Trial

Trial purpose

Medical clipboardCancer treatment

Tumor type

Blood Cancers Haematological

Age

People75+

Trial acronym

POLAR BEAR

Clinical summary

Summary

This study is recruiting elderly patients (defined as either ≥80 years of age, or ≥75 years and frail) with previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, including the following subtypes:

  • diffuse large b-cell lymphoma, including transformation from an indolent lymphoma
  • follicular lymphoma grade 3B
  • T-cell/histiocyte-rich LBCL
  • primary cutaneous BLBCL, leg type
  • EBV-positive DLBCL, NOS
  • primary mediastinal LBCL
  • high grade B-cell lymphoma with MYC/BCL2 rearrangement

Eligible participants will be randomly allocated into one of two treatment arms.

In Arm A, participants will receive standard treatment of R-miniCHOP. This consists of a targeted therapy called rituximab, chemotherapies called cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and vincristine, and a steroid called prednisone.

In Arm B, participants will receive the experimental regimen of R-pola-miniCHP). This consists of rituximab targeted therapy, cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin chemotherapies, the steroid prednisone and the immuno-conjugate targeted therapy called polatuzumab vedotin.

All treatments will be given intravenously, except the steroid prednisone which will be given orally.

The duration of the study screening period is up to 4 weeks. The duration of active treatment is 18 weeks in both study arms, and participants will be followed up to 36 months after end of treatment. Start of enrollment is planned for Q1 2020 and the last visit of the last patient included (end of trial) is estimated in Q1 2027.

 

Conditions

This trial is treating people with previously untreated lymphoma

Eligibility

Inclusion

  • Age ≥80 years or frail ≥75 years, according to simplified comprehensive geriatric assessment
  • Histologically confirmed lymphoma belonging to one of the following subtypes:

    1. diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, including transformation from an indolent lymphoma
    2. follicular lymphoma grade 3B
    3. T-cell/histiocyte-rich LBCL
    4. primary cutaneous DLBCL, leg type
    5. EBV-positive DLBCL, NOS
    6. primary mediastinal LBCL
    7. high grade B-cell lymphoma with MYC/BCL2 rearrangement
  • Stage II-IV disease
  • At least 1 measurable site of disease (>1.5 cm long axis)
  • No previous treatment for lymphoma
  • WHO performance status 0 - 3 (Grade 3 if related to DLBCL)
  • Written informed consent

Exclusion

  • Severe cardiac disease: NYHA grade 3-4
  • CNS involvement at diagnosis
  • Uncontrolled serious infection
  • Impaired liver (transaminases > 3x normal upper limit or bilirubin > 1.5 x normal upper limit, unless due to Gilbert´s syndrome) , renal (GFR<30ml/min) or other organ function not caused by lymphoma, which will interfere with the treatment.
  • Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) <1000 cells/µL or platelets <100,000 cells/µL, unless due to lymphoma
  • Any other prior malignancy than non-melanoma skin cancer or stage 0 (in situ) cervical carcinoma, unless treated with curative intent, and without relapse since 2 years, or low grade prostate cancer, not in need of treatment
  • Psychiatric illness or condition which could interfere with their ability to understand the requirements of the study
  • Known hypersensitivity to rituximab, polatuzumab vedotin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine or doxorubicin, or HACA against rituximab
  • Peripheral neuropathy grade ≥ 2

Inclusion

  • You have been diagnosed with cancer, but have not received any treatment.
  • You are able to swallow medication by mouth.

Exclusion

  • You have certain types of non-cancer medical conditions.
  • You have had certain treatments, surgical procedures or drugs.
Message

Clinical trials have complex eligibility criteria, and other criteria may apply for this trial. Ask your doctor about whether this trial could be right for you.

Participating hospitals

+ Show non-recruiting hospitals

No longer recruiting (closed or complete) hospitals

InformationTell us if you find this trial availability is not accurate.Report inaccuracy

More information

Trial Identifiers

Information on this page is partially produced from ClinicalTrials.gov *. View further details about this trial on the registry via the links below:

Trial sponsor

Nordic Lymphoma Group

Scientific Title

R-MINI-CHOP Versus R-MINI-CHP in Combination With Polatuzumab-vedotin, as Primary Treatment for Patients With Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma, ≥80 Years, or Frail ≥75 Years - an Open Label Randomized Nordic Lymphoma Group Phase III Trial

Get Support

Peer Connect

You might find it helpful to speak to someone who has 'been there before'. Our Peer Connect program can provide one-on-one phone support from someone who understands what you're going through and has clinical trials experience.

Know more about Peer Connect

Contact cancer support

If you need cancer information and practical support for yourself, a carer, family or friend, contact Cancer Council to speak with an experienced health professional on 13 11 20.

Get support

Multilingual information

Learn more about clinical trials through this collection of resources in languages other than English.

View information