New drug cocktail shows promise for rare blood cancer

NCT ID NCT03623373

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested a combination of four drugs (acalabrutinib, bendamustine, rituximab, and cytarabine) as a first treatment for people with mantle cell lymphoma, a rare blood cancer. The goal was to see if this approach could safely improve remission rates before a stem cell transplant. The study included 13 adults aged 18 to 70 who were eligible for transplant. The results may help design larger trials to find a better standard treatment.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

acalabrutinib, bendamustine, rituximab, cytarabine

What this could lead to

If this combination works well, it could become a standard first treatment for mantle cell lymphoma, helping more patients achieve remission before a stem cell transplant.

What could go wrong

This was a very small pilot study with only 13 people. Larger studies are needed to confirm safety and effectiveness. The drugs can cause serious side effects like infections and low blood counts.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for MANTLE CELL LYMPHOMA are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

mantle cell lymphoma

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Washington University School of Medicine

    St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States