TALOs, Fill the Gap: Tafasitamab and Lenalidomide in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in the Real-Life Patient Journey

Hematol Oncol. 2026 Jan;44(1):e70167. doi: 10.1002/hon.70167.

Abstract

The combination of tafasitamab and lenalidomide (tafa-lena) has demonstrated efficacy in relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL), as evidenced by the L-MIND study. To investigate the therapeutic potential and safety profile of tafa-lena in real-life, we conducted a national multicentric retrospective study. Eighty-three patients with median age of 74 years were enrolled. The 49.4% of patients had a disease refractory to the first line therapy while 63.9% were refractory to the most recent one. The best overall response rate was 47% (28.9% complete remission). With a median follow-up of 16 months, the median overall survival (OS) was 8.6 months and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.5 months. Disease-free survival and median duration of response were reached at 52.8 and at 52.1 months, respectively. Compared to refractory disease (N = 53, 63.9%), relapsed disease (N = 26, 31.3%) was associated with better outcome in term of PFS (median 2.8 vs. 12.4 months) and OS (median 5.4 months vs. not reached). Neutropenia (52.5%) was the most common adverse events, predominantly related to lenalidomide. Our findings align with other real-world studies, supporting the regimen as effective and safe, and highlighting that one third of patients experiencing long-lasting responses even with dose reduction.

Keywords: diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma; lenalidomide; real‐life; tafasitamab.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols* / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols* / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lenalidomide* / administration & dosage
  • Lenalidomide* / adverse effects
  • Lenalidomide* / pharmacology
  • Lenalidomide* / therapeutic use
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse* / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse* / mortality
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse* / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Lenalidomide