Is there evidence to support the combination of glofitamab, polatuzumab, and obinutuzumab for refractory B-cell lymphoma?

Comment by InpharmD Researcher

Current evidence supporting the combination of glofitamab, polatuzumab vedotin, and obinutuzumab in refractory B‑cell lymphoma is extremely limited and derived from a single adult open-label study, in which glofitamab plus polatuzumab vedotin administered after obinutuzumab pretreatment produced high and durable complete remission rates (see Table 1), providing some support for the potential activity of this regimen. Adult case reports demonstrate that sequential or dual administration of glofitamab and polatuzumab vedotin can achieve complete metabolic responses and serve as an effective bridge to allogeneic stem-cell transplantation in Burkitt lymphoma, though the full three-drug combination was not used concurrently in these reports. Notably, the ongoing PORTAL trial (NCT06071871) will evaluate the safety and efficacy of this three-drug combination as a peri-CAR-T cell therapy strategy in patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma; no results are currently available as the study is still recruiting.

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Background

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines on B-Cell lymphomas (Version 1.2026) include glofitamab plus polatuzumab vedotin as a second-line therapy for Burkitt lymphoma, useful in certain circumstances as a bridge to transplant in patients eligible for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). In diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), for patients with relapsed or primary refractory disease who are not candidates for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, preferred second-line options include combinations of gemcitabine and oxaliplatin (GEMOX) with epcoritamab, glofitamab, or polatuzumab vedotin plus rituximab. For classical follicular lymphoma with high tumor burden, recommended first-line therapies include standard chemo-immunotherapy regimens with obinutuzumab or rituximab, and in the second-line extended therapy setting, obinutuzumab maintenance is optional for rituximab-refractory disease. While the guidelines provide disease-specific recommendations for the use of glofitamab, polatuzumab vedotin, and obinutuzumab, they do not discuss the concurrent use of all three agents together for any lymphoma subtype. [1]

A 2025 review on immunotherapy for pediatric DLBCL examined 48 clinical trials investigating relapsed or refractory disease, including studies of immunomodulatory agents, monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific antibodies, checkpoint inhibitors, and CAR T-cell therapy. Bispecific antibodies, including glofitamab, epcoritamab, and odronextamab, have been studied for their ability to facilitate T cell-mediated cytotoxicity against CD20-positive tumor cells. Antibody-drug conjugates, such as zilovertamab vedotin, polatuzumab vedotin, and loncastuximab tesirine, are being evaluated to enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic toxicity. Notably, one adult trial combining glofitamab plus polatuzumab with obinutuzumab pretreatment showed high and durable complete remission rates (see Table 1), and pediatric studies are ongoing to assess glofitamab alone or in combination with chemotherapy regimens such as R-ICE. Polatuzumab vedotin, when combined with rituximab and bendamustine, has demonstrated improved complete remission rates in relapsed or refractory DLBCL and is being tested in pediatric populations with reduced-dose chemotherapy. Although obinutuzumab has shown potential cytotoxic benefits over rituximab, data in children remain limited, and ongoing trials are evaluating its use alone or in combination. Overall, while these immunotherapies show promise, the use of glofitamab, polatuzumab vedotin, and obinutuzumab combination therapy in pediatric patients specifically is not discussed within the review. [2]

According to the ClinicalTrials database, the PORTAL trial (NCT06071871) is an ongoing phase 2, open-label study that will evaluate the safety and efficacy of glofitamab, polatuzumab vedotin, and obinutuzumab as a peri-CAR-T cell therapy strategy in patients with relapsed or refractory LBCL. The trial will be conducted in two parts: Part 1 will assess the combination as a bridging therapy to CAR-T cell therapy, and Part 2 will evaluate its efficacy in patients who fail to achieve a complete metabolic response or who progress after CAR-T therapy. Patients in Part 1 will receive two cycles of Pola-Glofit, with obinutuzumab given intravenously at 1 g over 4-5 hours on Cycle 1 Day 1, polatuzumab vedotin at 1.8 mg/kg intravenously over 90 minutes on Cycle 1 Day 2, and glofitamab administered at 2.5 mg intravenously over 4 hours on Cycle 1 Day 8 and 10 mg intravenously over 2 hours on Cycle 1 Day 15, with 24-hour hospitalization after each glofitamab dose. From Cycles 2 to 6, polatuzumab will be given at 1.8 mg/kg intravenously over 30 minutes on Day 1, and glofitamab at 30 mg intravenously over 2 hours on Day 1. Patients not eligible for CAR-T therapy after the initial cycles will have the option to receive up to four additional cycles of Pola-Glofit, followed by six cycles of glofitamab at 30 mg intravenously over 2 hours from Cycles 7 to 12. In Part 2, patients will receive six cycles of Pola-Glofit followed by six cycles of glofitamab, with obinutuzumab administered 7 days prior to the first dose of glofitamab. All cycles in both parts will follow a 21-day schedule, and a step-up dosing regimen will be used. Patients will be closely monitored during infusion and may require hospitalization during the first cycle of glofitamab. Participants will be followed for one year after completion of the final treatment cycle. The study is currently recruiting and is expected to be completed by July 30, 2028. [3]

The clinical trials database also describes a single-arm, multicenter, dose-finding phase 1b/2 study (NCT03533283) evaluating the combination of glofitamab with either atezolizumab or polatuzumab vedotin in adult patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The study will assess the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and/or recommended Phase II dose (RP2D), as well as the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and preliminary anti-tumor activity of these combination treatments. An open-label imaging feasibility sub-study will also be conducted to visualize CD8+ T-cells at baseline and following glofitamab treatment, including pre-treatment with obinutuzumab. The trial is currently active, with an estimated completion date of October 16, 2026. Of note, while this study will evaluate these combinations, the use of glofitamab, polatuzumab vedotin, and obinutuzumab together will not be studied. [4]

References: [1] National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. B-Cell Lymphomas. Version 1.2026. Updated December 22, 2025. Accessed January 8, 2026. https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/b-cell.pdf
[2] Van Kuijk A, Kearns P, Burke GAA. Immunotherapy for paediatric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: A review of current clinical trials and future directions. EJC Paediatric Oncology. 2025;5:100228. doi:10.1016/j.ejcped.2025.100228
[3] Clinicaltrials.gov. A Trial of Polatuzumab Vedotin, Obinutuzumab and Glofitamab As a Peri-CAR-T Cell Treatment Strategy in Large B-cell Lymphoma (PORTAL). Updated December 24, 2025. Accessed January 8, 2026. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06071871
[4] Clinicaltrials.gov. An Open-Label Phase lB/​II Study of Glofitamab and Atezolizumab or Polatuzumab Vedotin in Adult Patients With Relapsed/​Refractory B-Cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Updated January 6, 2026. Accessed January 8, 2026. https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03533283
Literature Review

A search of the published medical literature revealed 2 studies investigating the researchable question:

Is there evidence to support the combination of glofitamab, polatuzumab, and obinutuzumab for refractory B-cell lymphoma?

Level of evidence

D - Case reports or unreliable data  Read more→



Please see Tables 1-2 for your response.


Efficacy and Safety of Glofitamab Plus Polatuzumab Vedotin in Relapsed/Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma Including High-Grade B-Cell Lymphoma: Results From a Phase Ib/II Trial
Design

Open-label, multicenter, dose-finding, phase Ib/II study

N= 129

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of glofitamab plus polatuzumab vedotin (Glofit-Pola) in patients with relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL), including high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBCL) and those who received previous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy
Study Groups

All patients (n= 129)

Patients with HGBCL (n= 44)

Inclusion Criteria Patients diagnosed with R/R LBCL, including DLBCL NOS, HGBCL (NOS or DHL/THL), transformed follicular lymphoma, and primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma; aged ≥18 years; with ≥1 previous therapy; ECOG performance status of 0-2
Exclusion Criteria Not explicitly stated in the abstract
Methods Patients received 1,000 mg obinutuzumab on cycle (C)1 day (D) 1, polatuzumab vedotin (1.8 mg/kg) on C1D2 and D1 of C2-6, and glofitamab as step-up doses in C1 (D8, 2.5 mg; D15, 10 mg) followed by 30 mg on D1 of C2–12. Polatuzumab vedotin was given for six cycles, and glofitamab for 12 cycles
Duration November 28, 2019, to September 2, 2024
Outcome Measures

Primary: Independent review committee (IRC)-assessed best overall response rate (ORR)

Secondary: Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS)

Baseline Characteristics   All Patients (N= 129) Patients With HGBCL (n= 44)
Age, years, median (range) 67.0 (23-84) 66.5 (24-84)
Male 82 (63.6%) 28 (63.6%)
ECOG PS 0-1 122 (94.6) 41 (93.2)
Ann Arbor stage III/IV 99 (76.7) 32 (72.7)
Extranodal involvement at study entry 94 (72.9%) 31 (70.5%)
Bulky disease,  >7.5 cm 30 (29.5%) 10 (22.7%)
Elevated LDH levels 74 (57.4%) 26 (59.%1)
Disease type - DLBCL 57 (44.2%) -
Disease type - HGBCL 44 (34.1%) 44 (100%)
Previous lines of therapy, No., median (range) 2 (1-7) 1 (1-5)
Refractory to any previous therapy 102 (79.1%) 36 (81.8%)
Results   All Patients (N= 129) Patients With HGBCL (n= 44)
IRC-assessed ORR 78.3% 79.5%
IRC-assessed CR rate 59.7% 65.9%
Median PFS, months (95% CI) 12.3 (8.8 to 27.7) 16.3 (9.1 to NE)
Median OS, months (95% CI) 33.8 (20.6 to NE) -
CI= confidence interval; NE= not evaluable
Adverse Events The most common adverse event was cytokine release syndrome (43.4%; grade 1-2: 41.9%; one grade 5 event). Grade 3-4 AEs occurred in 58.9% of patients; 9.3% had grade 5 AEs, and 14.7% discontinued treatment because of AEs
Study Author Conclusions Glofit-Pola demonstrated high efficacy and durable responses, with manageable safety, in heavily pretreated patients with R/R LBCL, including patients with HGBCL and previous CAR T-cell therapy failure.
Critique

The study demonstrated high efficacy and manageable safety in a challenging patient population. However, the single-arm design may introduce selection bias, and the study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, which could have affected outcomes. The heterogeneous study population and limited data on patients with previous polatuzumab vedotin exposure are additional limitations.

References:
[1] Hutchings M, Sureda A, Bosch F, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Glofitamab Plus Polatuzumab Vedotin in Relapsed/Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma Including High-Grade B-Cell Lymphoma: Results From a Phase Ib/II Trial. J Clin Oncol. 2025;43(36):3788-3798. doi:10.1200/JCO-25-00992

 

Glofitamab with Polatuzumab Vedotin in Refractory Burkitt’s Lymphoma

Design

Case series

Case presentation 1

A 42-year-old man was diagnosed with stage I Burkitt’s lymphoma following a biopsy of a right cervical mass. He initially achieved a partial response to DA-EPOCH-R (dose-adjusted etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin plus rituximab), but subsequently experienced disease progression after treatment with R-GDP (rituximab, gemcitabine, dexamethasone, and cisplatin), local radiotherapy, axicabtagene ciloleucel, and R-IVAC (rituximab, ifosfamide, etoposide, and cytarabine). A repeat biopsy confirmed refractory Burkitt’s lymphoma. The patient achieved a clinical response after one cycle of glofitamab, followed by a complete metabolic response after three additional cycles of glofitamab plus polatuzumab vedotin. He subsequently underwent allogeneic stem-cell transplantation and maintained a complete metabolic response at 6 months post-transplant.

Case presentation 2

A 35-year-old man was diagnosed with stage IV Burkitt’s lymphoma following laparoscopic hemicolectomy and ileal resection of an obstructing mass. He initially achieved a complete metabolic response with R-CODOX-M (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and methotrexate) and R-IVAC (rituximab, ifosfamide, etoposide, and cytarabine), but relapsed two months later with involvement of the cerebrospinal fluid and polyradicular disease. Subsequent treatment with R-ESHAP (rituximab, etoposide, methylprednisolone, cytarabine, and cisplatin) and intrathecal chemotherapy failed to control disease progression. He then received radiotherapy to the cauda equina, followed by two cycles of glofitamab plus polatuzumab vedotin, resulting in a complete metabolic response at previous sites of neurolymphomatosis. The patient subsequently underwent allogeneic stem-cell transplantation and remained in complete remission at 9 months post-transplant.

Case presentation 3

A 22-year-old man was diagnosed with stage IV Burkitt’s lymphoma following decompressive surgery for a large lumbar epidural mass. He initially received three cycles of R-hyper-CVAD (rituximab, hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, dexamethasone, methotrexate, and cytarabine) and R-MA (rituximab, methotrexate, and cytarabine), but demonstrated clinical and radiographic disease progression. As second-line therapy, he received five cycles of glofitamab plus polatuzumab vedotin, achieving a complete metabolic response. The patient subsequently underwent anti-CD19–directed CAR T-cell therapy, but progressed after three months, prompting the resumption of glofitamab and polatuzumab vedotin, with a plan for consolidative allogeneic stem-cell transplantation if a clinically significant response is achieved.

Study Author Conclusions

We describe the activity of glofitamab and polatuzumab vedotin in three patients with chemotherapy-refractory Burkitt’s lymphoma, a nearly universally fatal condition. Although CAR T-cell therapy can overcome treatment resistance in large B-cell lymphoma, efficacy in Burkitt’s lymphoma is disappointing.4 Glofitamab with polatuzumab vedotin is effective in refractory high-grade B-cell lymphoma5; our research extends its range of activity to Burkitt’s lymphoma. These results support future prospective investigations of CD20 and CD3 T–cell–engaging bispecific antibodies with polatuzumab vedotin in patients with Burkitt’s lymphoma, including those with central nervous system involvement.

References:
[1] Prica A, Roschewski M, Beale P, et al. Glofitamab with Polatuzumab Vedotin in Refractory Burkitt's Lymphoma. N Engl J Med. 2025;392(17):1760-1762. doi:10.1056/NEJMc2501018