The trial B-NHL 2013 is a collaborative prospective, multi-national, multi-center, randomized trial with participating centers of the NHL-BFM group (Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany) and the Scandinavian NOPHO group (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden). The aim of the trial is to evaluate the role of rituximab in the treatment of mature aggressive B-cell Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and leukemia (B-NHL and B-AL) in children and adolescents.
The following primary study questions are going to be analyzed:
* the effectiveness (event-free survival) in pediatric patients with very limited mature B-NHL (R1 and R2 stage I and II) of substituting anthracyclines by the rituximab window without compromising survival rates.
* the effectiveness (event-free survival) in pediatric patients with limited mature B-NHL (R2 stage III) randomly assigned to receive the rituximab window plus standard chemotherapy or standard chemotherapy without the rituximab window.
* the effectiveness (event-free survival) and the immune reconstitution (recovery of CD19+ B-cells, IR) in pediatric patients with advanced mature B-NHL/B-AL (R3 and R4 incl. R4 CNS+) treated with BFM-type chemotherapy and randomly assigned schedules of one versus seven doses rituximab.
Secondary study questions will address
* additional parameters for immune reconstitution, lymphocyte subpopulations, immunoglobulin levels, vaccination titers and infection rates
* kinetics of immune reconstitution after treatment
* adverse event and severe adverse event profile
* inter-individual variability of rituximab response
* role of different mechanisms of action of rituximab in advanced B-NHL/B-AL
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Newly diagnosed, histological or cytological and immunological proven aggressive mature B-cell Non-Hodgkin lymphoma including Burkitt lymphoma (BL), Burkitt leukemia (B-AL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), or mature B-cell NHL not further classified according to current WHO classification124. For rare subtypes (e.g. primary mediastinal large B-NHL, PMLBL, double hit lymphoma or high-grade B-cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements), consultation of the study center is recommended.
* availability of slides/blocks for reference pathology and international pathology panel (except in cases with immunological and cytomorphological assurance of diagnosis)
* age at diagnosis \< 18 years
* diagnostics and treatment in one of the participating centers of the trial
* no previous chemotherapy, no previous lymphoma-directed treatment. No application of steroids for more than two days during the last month
* adequate hepatic, renal and cardiac function, except if alteration is due to lymphoma infiltration. Please contact the study center in case of unclear cases.
* signed informed consent of patient and/or parents/guardians for treatment according to the protocol, participation and transfer of data
* follow-up of at least two years after initial diagnosis is expected
* Certificate of vaccination against hepatitis B or negative serology, defined as
* evidence of immunization with HBs-antigen negative, anti-HBs positive and anti-HBc negativ…
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Event-free survival (EFS)
Timeframe: through study completion, maximal seven years
2
Immune reconstitution rate (only in R3/R4 patients)