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A Clinical Study of Zilovertamab Vedotin (MK-2140) Plus Rituximab Plus Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, and Prednisone (R-CHP) Versus Polatuzumab Vedotin Plus R-CHP in People With Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) (MK-2140-011/waveLINE-011)

  • PhasePhase 2
  • StatusRecruiting
  • Planned enrollment594 people
  • Recruiting US sites71
  • SponsorMerck Sharp & Dohme LLC
  • RegistryNCT06890884

Recruitment re-checked on ClinicalTrials.gov Oct 30, 2026. Public record; not medical advice.

A Clinical Study of Zilovertamab Vedotin (MK-2140) Plus Rituximab Plus Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, and Prednisone (R-CHP) Versus Polatuzumab Vedotin Plus R-CHP in People With Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) (MK-2140-011/waveLINE-011): a one-minute explainerNCT068908841 min

Eligibility

Who can join

The film gives the main points. The full list below is copied from the registry; the study team makes the final decision.

  • Age18 Years to no maximum
  • SexAll
  • Healthy volunteersNo

You may be able to join if

  • The main inclusion criteria include but are not limited to the following:
  • Has histologically confirmed diagnosis of germinal center B-cell (GCB) subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), by prior biopsy, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of neoplasms of the hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues.
  • Has positron emission tomography (PET) positive disease at screening, defined as 4 to 5 on the Lugano 5-point scale.
  • Has received no prior treatment for their DLBCL.
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected participants must have well controlled HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART).
  • Participants who are hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive are eligible if they have received hepatitis B virus (HBV) antiviral therapy and have undetectable HBV viral load prior to randomization.
  • Participants with history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are eligible if HCV viral load is undetectable at screening.

You cannot join if

  • The main exclusion criteria include but are not limited to the following:
  • Has a history of transformation of indolent disease to DLBCL.
  • Has received a diagnosis of primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) or Grey zone lymphoma.
  • Has Ann Arbor Stage I DLBCL.
  • Has clinically significant (i.e., active) cardiovascular disease: cerebral vascular accident/stroke (<6 months prior to enrollment), myocardial infarction (<6 months prior to enrollment), unstable angina, congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association Classification Class ≥II), or serious cardiac arrhythmia requiring medication.
  • Has clinically significant pericardial or pleural effusion.
  • Has ongoing Grade >1 peripheral neuropathy.
  • Has a demyelinating form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
  • HIV-infected participants with a history of Kaposi's sarcoma and/or Multicentric Castleman's Disease.
  • Has ongoing corticosteroid therapy.
  • Known additional malignancy that is progressing or has required active treatment within the past 2 years.
  • Known active central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma.
  • Has active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the past 2 years.
  • Has active infection requiring systemic therapy.
  • Has active HBV (defined as HBsAg positive and detectable HBV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)) and HCV (defined as anti-HCV antibody positive and detectable HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA)) infection.
  • Has history of stem cell/solid organ transplant.

The treatment

How it is intended to work

This is how the treatment is meant to work. Whether it helps, and how safe it is, is what this trial is testing.

zilovertamab vedotin. An antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) composed of a monoclonal antibody against the tumor-associated antigen (TAA) receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) linked to an as of yet undisclosed cytotoxic agent, with potential antineoplastic activity. Upon intravenous administration, the monoclonal antibody moiety of zilovertamab vedotin targets and binds to ROR1 expressed on tumor cells. Upon binding and internalization, the cytotoxic agent is released and kills the ROR1-expressing cancer cells, through an as of yet unknown mechanism of action. ROR1, also known as neurotrophic tyrosine kinase, receptor-related 1 (NTRKR1), is expressed during embryogenesis and by certain leukemias. It plays key roles in tumor cell proliferation and survival. NCI Drug Dictionary

polatuzumab vedotin-piiq. An antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) composed of a monoclonal antibody directed against B-cell antigen receptor complex-associated protein beta chain (CD79B) conjugated, via a protease-cleavable peptide linker, to monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), an auristatin derivative and a potent microtubule inhibitor, with potential antineoplastic activity. Upon administration, the monoclonal antibody moiety of polatuzumab vedotin-piiq selectively binds to CD79B, a protein which is abundantly expressed on the surface of B-cells. Upon internalization and proteolytic cleavage, MMAE binds to tubulin and inhibits its polymerization, resulting in G2/M phase arrest and tumor cell apoptosis. CD79B, a component of the B-cell receptor (BCR), plays a key role in B-cell receptor signaling and is expressed on the surface of almost all types of malignant B-cells. NCI Drug Dictionary

Treatments listed in the registry

  • Zilovertamab vedotin (Biological): IV infusion
  • Rituximab (Biological): IV infusion
  • Cyclophosphamide (Drug): IV infusion
  • Doxorubicin (Drug): IV infusion
  • Rituximab Biosimilar (Biological): IV infusion
  • Prednisone (Drug): Oral administration or IV infusion
  • Prednisolone (Drug): Oral administration or IV infusion
  • Polatuzumab vedotin (Biological): IV infusion
  • Rescue Medication (Drug): Participants receive rescue medication at the investigators discretion, per approved product label. Recommended rescue medication is Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (G-CSF).

The study

Treatment groups

Randomized · Parallel · masking: None

Zilovertamab vedotin + Rituximab + Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Prednisone (R-CHP) (Experimental)

Participants will receive a dose of zilovertamab vedotin (1.75 mg/kg) plus 750 mg/m^2 cyclophosphamide, 50 mg/m^2 doxorubicin, and 375 mg/m^2 rituximab or rituximab biosimilar administered by intravenous (IV) infusion on Day 1 of each 3-week cycle for up to 6 cycles (up to approximately 4 months) plus 2 additional cycles of rituximab or biosimilar for participants with high risk DLBCL. Participants will also receive 100 mg prednisone or prednisolone via oral tablet per day during Days 1-5 of each 3-week cycle for up to 6 cycles (up to approximately 4 months).

Polatuzumab vedotin + R-CHP (Active Comparator)

Participants will receive a dose of polatuzumab vedotin (1.8 mg/kg) plus 750 mg/m^2 cyclophosphamide, 50 mg/m^2 doxorubicin, and 375 mg/m^2 rituximab or rituximab biosimilar administered by IV infusion on Day 1 of each 3-week cycle for up to 6 cycles (up to approximately 4 months) plus 2 additional cycles of rituximab or biosimilar for participants with high risk DLBCL. Participants will also receive 100 mg prednisone or prednisolone via oral tablet per day during Days 1-5 of each 3-week cycle for up to 6 cycles (up to approximately 4 months).

Goals

What the study measures

Main goals

  • Complete Response Rate (CRR) at End of Treatment (EOT) per Lugano Response Criteria (Up to approximately 31 months)

Other goals

  • Progression-free Survival (PFS) per Lugano Response Criteria
  • Overall Survival (OS)
  • Event-free Survival (EFS) per Lugano Response Criteria
  • Duration of CR
  • Number of participants who experience one or more adverse events (AEs)
  • Number of participants who discontinue study intervention due to an AE
  • Change From Baseline in Health-Related Quality Of Life (HRQoL) on Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Lymphoma (FACT-Lym) Trial Outcome Index (TOI)
  • Change From Baseline in HRQoL on FACT-Lym Total Score
  • Change From Baseline in HRQoL on FACT-Lym Physical Well-being (PWB) (Items General Physical [GP]1 through GP7)
  • Change From Baseline in HRQoL on Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group-Neurotoxicity (FACT/GOG-NTX) Neurotoxicity Subscale Score

Planned enrollment: 594 (estimated).

Where

Recruiting US sites

  • Infirmary Cancer Care ( Site 0157), Mobile, Alabama
  • Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers ( Site 0204), Chandler, Arizona
  • Palo Verde Cancer Specialists ( Site 0105), Glendale, Arizona
  • City of Hope - Phoenix ( Site 0202), Goodyear, Arizona
  • Genesis Cancer and Blood Institute ( Site 0193), Hot Springs, Arkansas
  • Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center - Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center ( Site 0135), Burbank, California
  • City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center ( Site 0191), Duarte, California
  • Bass Medical Group ( Site 0123), Walnut Creek, California
  • Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers (RMCC) ( Site 8001), Aurora, Colorado
  • Colorado West Healthcare System-Grand Valley Oncology ( Site 0165), Grand Junction, Colorado
  • Medical Oncology Hematology Consultants (MOHC) ( Site 8007), Newark, Delaware
  • Georgetown University Medical Center ( Site 0117), Washington D.C., District of Columbia
  • Boca Raton Regional Hospital-Lynn Cancer Institute ( Site 0130), Boca Raton, Florida
  • Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center ( Site 0176), Jacksonville, Florida
  • Mount Sinai Braman Comprehensive Cancer Center ( Site 0140), Miami Beach, Florida
  • Mid Florida Hematology and Oncology Center ( Site 0152), Orange City, Florida
  • Beacon Cancer Care ( Site 0142), Post Falls, Idaho
  • University of Chicago Medical Center ( Site 0126), Chicago, Illinois
  • Illinois Cancer Care ( Site 7005), Peoria, Illinois
  • University of Iowa-Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center ( Site 0139), Iowa City, Iowa
  • Mission Blood & Cancer Care ( Site 0114), Waukee, Iowa
  • Saint Elizabeth Medical Center Edgewood ( Site 0141), Edgewood, Kentucky
  • Baptist Health Hardin ( Site 0154), Elizabethtown, Kentucky
  • Baptist Health Lexington ( Site 0127), Lexington, Kentucky
  • Norton Women's and Children's Hospital-Norton Cancer Institute - St. Matthews ( Site 0185), Louisville, Kentucky
  • Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group-Medical Oncology ( Site 0180), Baton Rouge, Louisiana
  • Ochsner LSU Health - Monroe Medical Center, Family Medicine Clinic ( Site 0209), Monroe, Louisiana
  • Ochsner Clinic Foundation ( Site 0189), New Orleans, Louisiana
  • Louisiana State University Health Sciences Shreveport ( Site 0195), Shreveport, Louisiana
  • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center ( Site 0161), Boston, Massachusetts
  • Dana Farber Cancer Institute ( Site 0111), Boston, Massachusetts
  • Minnesota Oncology Hematology (MNO) ( Site 8004), Burnsville, Minnesota
  • Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital ( Site 0183), Bozeman, Montana
  • NHO Revive Research Institute, LLC ( Site 0121), Lincoln, Nebraska
  • University Of Nebraska Medical Center ( Site 0110), Omaha, Nebraska
  • Atlantic Health Morristown Medical Center ( Site 0163), Morristown, New Jersey
  • Valley Health Systems - Ridgewood Campus ( Site 0125), Paramus, New Jersey
  • Roswell Park Cancer Institute ( Site 0192), Buffalo, New York
  • Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Hospital - Long Island ( Site 0208), Mineola, New York
  • Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone ( Site 0108), New York, New York
  • SUNY Upstate Cancer Center ( Site 0178), Syracuse, New York
  • Optum Medical Care, PC ( Site 0122), Westbury, New York
  • University of North Carolina Medical Center ( Site 0136), Chapel Hill, North Carolina
  • Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center ( Site 0177), Charlotte, North Carolina
  • Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center ( Site 0206), Winston-Salem, North Carolina
  • University of Cincinnati Medical Center ( Site 0156), Cincinnati, Ohio
  • University Hospitals of Cleveland ( Site 0155), Cleveland, Ohio
  • Fairview Hospital-Moll Cancer Center ( Site 0198), Cleveland, Ohio
  • Cleveland Clinic Main ( Site 0101), Cleveland, Ohio
  • Cleveland Clinic - Hillcrest Hospital-Hillcrest Hospital Cancer Center ( Site 0199), Mayfield Heights, Ohio
  • Providence Portland Medical Center ( Site 0120), Portland, Oregon
  • Providence Oncology and Hematology Clinic Westside ( Site 0179), Portland, Oregon
  • Abramson Cancer Center and Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine ( Site 0131), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Temple University Hospital ( Site 0133), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Alliance Cancer Specialists (ACS) ( Site 8010), Sellersville, Pennsylvania
  • Cancer Care Associates Of York ( Site 0174), York, Pennsylvania
  • Medical University of South Carolina ( Site 0153), Charleston, South Carolina
  • Tennessee Cancer Specialists ( Site 7004), Knoxville, Tennessee
  • SCRI Oncology Partners ( Site 7002), Nashville, Tennessee
  • Texas Oncology - West Texas ( Site 8008), Amarillo, Texas
  • Texas Oncology - Central/South Texas ( Site 8006), Austin, Texas
  • UT Southwestern Medical Center ( Site 0190), Dallas, Texas
  • Texas Oncology - Northeast Texas ( Site 8002), Palestine, Texas
  • Texas Oncology - San Antonio ( Site 8009), San Antonio, Texas
  • Intermountain Medical Center ( Site 0182), Murray, Utah
  • Intermountain Healthcare - St. George ( Site 0203), St. George, Utah
  • Virginia Cancer Specialists, PC ( Site 8003), Manassas, Virginia
  • VCU Health Adult Outpatient Pavillion ( Site 0138), Richmond, Virginia
  • Northwest Cancer Specialists (Compass Oncology) ( Site 8000), Vancouver, Washington
  • SSM Health Dean Medical Group ( Site 0106), Madison, Wisconsin
  • Medical College of Wisconsin ( Site 0103), Milwaukee, Wisconsin

74 recruiting sites outside the US. Site status as of Oct 30, 2026. Check the live record before contacting a site.

Sources

Where this comes from

Registry record reviewed as fetched Oct 30, 2026, last updated by the sponsor Oct 7, 2026. Public record; not medical advice.

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