A clinical trial led by the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (ONJCRI) is taking a fresh look at how to treat early Follicular Lymphoma, which is a type of slow-growing blood cancer.
Follicular Lymphoma is typically managed with chemotherapy and immunotherapy. While these treatments can be effective, they often come with side effects that can significantly affect patients’ quality of life.
The TOP-FLOR trial is investigating whether two drugs (Nivolumab and Golcadomide) can be used instead of chemotherapy for patients who are receiving treatment for the first time. The goal is to reduce side effects commonly associated with traditional therapies, and offer patients a more tolerable and highly effective treatment option. The team are also delving deeper into the biology of the response, by collecting samples from the patients to examine in the laboratory, hoping to improve outcomes even more in the future. This reflects ONJCRI’s strategic focus on advancing cancer diagnostics and therapeutics that are more effective, more tolerable, and more accessible, ensuring real-world impact for all people affected by cancer.
The trial was designed by ONJCRI’s Chief Clinical Research Officer, Professor Eliza Hawkes, who also serves as the Chief Principal Investigator. She works in collaboration with research teams across Australia and is supported by a dedicated team from ONJCRI, including Dr Jodie Palmer, the Lymphoma Program Manager, and Alexandra Romano, the Clinical Project Manager.
TOP-FLOR is a multi-site trial, with five hospitals currently caring for patients enrolled in the study: Austin Health, Barwon Health, Box Hill Hospital, Fiona Stanley Hospital, and Grampians Health, offering treatment to both urban and regional patients in Victoria and Western Australia. Each of these centres plays a key role in delivering the treatment and monitoring patient outcomes.
Recruitment for the trial is nearing completion, marking a significant achievement for the team and demonstrating strong interest and support for exploring alternatives to standard chemotherapy.
An interim analysis of the trial data will be presented at the International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma (ICML) in Switzerland this month. This conference is a major event in the lymphoma research calendar and will allow the trial’s progress to be shared with a global community of clinicians and researchers.
In a field where treatment-related side effects often weigh heavily on patients’ decisions and daily lives, the TOP-FLOR trial is taking meaningful steps toward identifying options that may improve both outcomes and quality of life. It’s a careful and considered attempt to move away from a one-size-fits-all model, and toward treatments that are both targeted and patient-friendly.
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This trial is sponsored by ONJCRI, with funding and drug supply provided by Bristol Myers Squibb.