A.I. Burnasyan FMBC clinical bulletin. 2026 № 2
L.S. Butaev 1,2, V.A. Zherebtsova1, M.S. Butaeva3, M.A. Sannikova1, M.V. Chernikov1, E.S. Urnova1,
D.G. Kisilchina1, M.P. Bulussov1, Yu.A. Kruchinkina1, V.V. Ptushkin1, T.A. Astrelina2
Is Venetoclax Effective in Combination with Standard Therapy for Relapses
of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma?
1S.P. Botkin Moscow Multidisciplinary Scientific and Clinical Center
2International Office, State Research Center – Burnasyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russiа
3MEDSI Clinical Hospital №1
Contact person: Astrelina Tatiana Alekseevna: t_astrelina@mail.ru
Abstract
Introduction: despite the success in the treatment of r/r DVCCL, the prognosis remains unfavorable. CSR in platinum-containing modes is less than 50%, PO is 30%. Phase I-II studies have shown that venetoclax increases sensitivity to chemotherapy. We present our data on the use of venetoclax with chemotherapy for r/r DVCCL.
Aim: to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of chemotherapy in combination with venetoclax in comparison with standard approaches.
Materials and methods: a retrospective study included 128 patients with DVCCL after line 1 who were suitable for HSCT. Groups: Ven+ (n=23, R-DHAPven, R-GDPven, R-ICEven); Ven − (n=105, without venetoclax).
Results: the overall median was not reached (ND) (95% CI: 26 months – ND). Two-year OS 59% (95% CI: 49 – 67%). Median BSV was 8.5 months (95% CI: 4.0 – 24.0 months). Two-year BSV was 41% (95% CI: 32 – 49%).
In the Ven+ group, the two – year OS was 68% (95% CI: 44-83%), the median OS was not reached (95% CI: 15 months). In the Ven group (n = 105), the two−year OB was 57% (95% CI: 46-66%), and the median OB was not reached (95% CI: 21 months). The differences were not significant (p = 0.3).
In the Ven+ group, the two–year BSV was 51% (95% CI: 29-69%), the median BSV was not reached (95% CI: 3.5 months). In the Ven group, two−year BSV was 38% (95% CI: 29 – 48%), the median BSV was 5.4 months (95% CI: 3.6–18.0 months), the differences were not significant (p = 0.3). In the Ven+ group (n = 14), the two–year DO was 50% (95% CI: 23 – 72%), the median DO was 35 months (95% CI: 5.5 months – not reached). In the Ven group (n = 44), the two − year DO was 43% (95% CI: 28 – 57%), the median DO was 33 months (95% CI: 23 months – ND), the differences were not significant (p = 0.9).
Conclusions: venetoclax in the 2nd stage of r/r DVCL therapy increases the frequency of complete responses and overall responses, with a tendency to improve OS and BV, however, with a limited sample size, no statistically significant advantage has been achieved.
Keywords: venetoclax, relapsed or refractory Diffuse B-large cell lymphoma, achievement of a long-term response
For citation: Butaev LS, Zherebtsova VA, Butaeva MS, Sannikova MA, Chernikov MV, Urnova ES, Kisilchina DG, Bulussov MP, Kruchinkina YuA, Ptushkin VV, Astrelina TA. Is Venetoclax Effective in Combination with Standard Therapy for Relapses of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma?. A.I. Burnasyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center Clinical Bulletin. 2026.2:99-107. (In Russian) DOI: 10.33266/2782-6430-2026-2-99-107
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Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Financing. The study had no sponsorship.
Contribution. Article was prepared with equal participation of the authors.
Article received: 13.03.2026. Accepted for publication: 15.04.2026