In May, 2026, clinical research teams activated a phase 2 investigator-initiated trial led by Nirav Shah, MD, Professor of Hematology and Oncology and Medical Director of the Cell Therapy Shared Resource, that evaluates two novel agents in combination with standard chemotherapy to improve outcomes for elderly lymphoma patients.

The two agents, known as Mosun-Pola, are the bispecific T-cell engager, mosunetuzumab subcutaneous, and the antibody drug conjugate, polatuzumab vedotin. Since both have a favorable safety profile, researchers are exploring whether they can be used together with minimal toxicity along with a CHOP-like, split-dose chemotherapy for elderly patients newly diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), Dr. Shah explained. CHOP chemotherapy contains four drugs that kill cancer cells.

“Together [Mosun-Pola] would be targeting B-cells at different antigens (CD20 and CD79b, respectively) with different mechanisms of action—a targeted chemotherapy payload versus immune activation of T-cells to elicit tumor cell death,” Dr. Shah said.

After completing two cycles of this treatment regimen, patients will undergo an assessment with positron emission tomography (PET) or computed tomography (CT) and minimal residual disease (MRD) testing before the third cycle. Patients who respond positively will be able to shorten their treatment and complete four cycles rather than six.

Dr. Shah said this new trial builds upon a previous study that showed that a split-dose chemotherapy can improve tolerability for older DLBCL patients while offering the same dose intensity. This new trial expands that paradigm by incorporating new drugs that researchers hope will provide patients with an early, robust response and improve treatment outcomes while minimizing toxicity through fractionated dosing. 
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