Follicular LymphomaPhase 2ELARANCT03568461
Efficacy and Safety of Tisagenlecleucel in Adult Patients With Refractory or Relapsed Follicular Lymphoma
A Phase 2 study testing tisagenlecleucel in people with Follicular Lymphoma, run by Novartis Pharmaceuticals at 30 sites in 12 countries.
Trial summary
This is a multi-center, phase II study to determine the efficacy and safety of tisagenlecleucel in adult patients with relapsed or refractory FL. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 100 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Follicular Lymphoma
- What is being tested?
- tisagenlecleucel
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 98 participants
- Where
- 30 sitesin 12 countries
- Study dates
- 12 Nov 2018to 28 May 2025
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 100 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Refractory or relapsed Follicular Lymphoma (Grade 1, 2, 3A)
- Radiographically measurable disease at screening
Who cannot join
- Evidence of histologic transformation
- Follicular Lymphoma Grade 3B
- Prior anti-CD19 therapy
- Prior gene therapy
- Prior adoptive T cell therapy
- Prior allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant
- Active CNS involvement by malignancy
- Other protocol-defined Inclusion/Exclusion criteria may apply.
Trial locations and contacts
30 sites in 12 countries.
30 sites in 12 countries
United States9 sites
Michigan Med University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109 5271
Uni of Chi Medi Ctr Hema and Onco
Chicago, Illinois, 60637
City of Hope National Medical Center
Duarte, California, 91010 3000
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, 77030
Univ of Kansas Hosp and Med Ctr
Kansas City, Kansas, 66160
University of Pennsylvania Clinical
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104
Oregon Health Sciences University
Portland, Oregon, 97239
UCSF Medical Center
San Francisco, California, 94143
H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute
Tampa, Florida, 33612
Australia3 sites
Novartis Investigative Site
Camperdown, New South Wales, 2050
Novartis Investigative Site
Herston, QLD 4006
Novartis Investigative Site
Melbourne, Victoria, 3000
Germany3 sites
Novartis Investigative Site
Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, 50937
Novartis Investigative Site
Munich, Bavaria, 81377
Novartis Investigative Site
Ulm, 89081
Japan3 sites
Novartis Investigative Site
Fukuoka, 8128582
Novartis Investigative Site
Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8648
Novartis Investigative Site
Sendai, Miyagi, 9808574
France2 sites
Novartis Investigative Site
Paris, 75475
Novartis Investigative Site
Pierre-Bénite, 69495
Italy2 sites
Novartis Investigative Site
Bologna, BO, 40138
Novartis Investigative Site
Milan, MI, 20132
Spain2 sites
Novartis Investigative Site
Madrid, 28041
Novartis Investigative Site
Seville, 41013
United Kingdom2 sites
Novartis Investigative Site
Birmingham, West Midlands, B15 2TH
Novartis Investigative Site
London, SE5 9RS
Netherlands1 site
Novartis Investigative Site
Amsterdam, North Holland, 1081 HV
About this study
Official title: A Phase II, Single Arm, Multicenter Open Label Trial to Determine the Efficacy and Safety of Tisagenlecleucel (CTL019) in Adult Patients With Refractory or Relapsed Follicular Lymphoma
This is a multi-center, phase II study to determine the efficacy and safety of tisagenlecleucel in adult patients with relapsed or refractory FL.
Read the detailed description
This single-arm, open label study had the following sequential phases: Screening, Pretreatment, Treatment and Follow-up. In the Pre-treatment phase, the patient could undergo bridging therapy (optional) and lymphodepleting (LD) chemotherapy. Treatment and Follow-up Phase included tisagenlecleucel infusion, and safety and efficacy follow-up for at least 24 months. For all the patients who received tisagenlecleucel infusion, additional survival follow-up was to be performed to determine survival status every 3 months.
- Conditions
- Follicular Lymphoma
- Being tested
- tisagenlecleucel
- Keywords
- Refractory or relapsed Follicular Lymphoma, Refractory, Relapsed, Follicular lymphoma, CTL019, Tisagenlecleucel, Chimeric antigen receptor, CAR19, CAR-T
- Medical subject headings
- Lymphoma, Follicular, Recurrence
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
tisagenlecleucelBiological
Also called CTL019
Tisagenlecleucel is single infusion.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| CTL019 | Experimental | All patients who received tisagenlecleucel infusion. Receives: Biological: tisagenlecleucel |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Complete Response Rate (CRR) Per Independent Review Committee (IRC) Assessment
Complete response rate was defined as the percentage of participants with a best overall response (BOR) of complete response (CR) recorded from tisagenlecleucel infusion until progressive disease or start of new anticancer therapy, whichever came first. CRR was determined by an independent review committee (IRC) and was based on Lugano 2014 classification response criteria. The radiological response is first obtained from CT and PET studies according to the Lugano 2014 criteria. CT response is based on anatomical measurements of index/non-index/new lesions and spleen length. The possible response outcomes are complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD), or progressive disease (PD). PET response based on a 5-point scale (5PS) or Deauville score. The possible outcomes for PET response are complete metabolic response (CMR), partial metabolic response (PMR), no metabolic response (NMR), or progressive metabolic disease (PMD).
Measured: 1 year
Secondary outcomes (21)
Overall Response Rate (ORR) Per IRC Assessment
Overall response rate is defined as the percentage of participants with a best overall disease response of complete response (CR) or partial response (PR). Response was evaluated per Lugano 2014 classification response criteria. The radiological response is first obtained from CT and PET studies according to the Lugano 2014 criteria. CT response is based on anatomical measurements of index/non-index/new lesions and spleen length. The possible response outcomes are complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD), or progressive disease (PD). PET response based on a 5-point scale (5PS) or Deauville score. The possible outcomes for PET response are complete metabolic response (CMR), partial metabolic response (PMR), no metabolic response (NMR), or progressive metabolic disease (PMD).
Measured: 1 year
Duration of Response (DOR) Per IRC Assessment
Duration of response (DOR) applied only to participants whose best overall disease response was CR or PR. It is defined as the time from the date of first documented disease response (CR or PR) to the date of first documented progression or death due to follicular lymphoma (FL). DOR was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.
Measured: approx. 60 months
Duration of Response (DOR) for Complete Response (CR) Only Per IRC Assessment
Duration of response (DOR) applied only to participants whose best overall disease response was complete response (CR) only. It is defined as the time from the date of first documented disease response (CR only) to the date of first documented progression or death due to follicular lymphoma (FL). DOR was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.
Measured: approx. 60 months
Progression Free Survival (PFS) Per IRC Assessment
Progression free survival is the time from tisagenlecleucel infusion to first documented disease progression or death due to any cause. PFS was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.
Measured: up to 61.7 months
Overall Survival (OS)
Overall Survival is the time from tisagenlecleucel infusion to death due to any cause. OS was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.
Measured: up to 65.8 months
Tisagenlecleucel Transgene Concentration Levels as Measured by Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) Method, by Clinical Response Per IRC Assessment
This is the summary of cellular kinetic concentrations for tisagenlecleucel (CTL019) transgene levels in peripheral blood and bone marrow following infusion.
Measured: Month 60 (peripheral blood), Month 6 (bone marrow)
Cmax; Cellular Kinetic Parameter of Tisagenlecleucel Transgene Levels by qPCR, Based on Clinical Response IRC Assessment
Cmax is the maximum (peak) observed in peripheral blood after single dose administration. Actual sampling times were taken into consideration for the calculation of cellular kinetic parameters parameters.
Measured: up to 60 months after infusion
Tmax; Cellular Kinetic Parameter of Tisagenlecleucel Transgene Levels by qPCR, Based on Clinical Response by IRC Assessment
Tmax is the time to reach maximum (peak) peripheral blood after single dose administration (days). Actual sampling times were taken into consideration for the calculation of cellular kinetic parameters.
Measured: up to 60 months after infusion
AUC0-28d and AUC0-84d; Cellular Kinetic Parameter of Tisagenlecleucel Transgene Levels by qPCR, Based on Clinical Response by IRC Assessment
AUC0-28 is the area under curve (AUC) from time zero to day 28 in peripheral blood. AUC0-84d is the AUC from time zero to day 84 in peripheral blood. Actual sampling times were taken into consideration for the calculation of cellular kinetic parameters.
Measured: 0 to 28 days after infusion, 0 to 84 days after infusion
AUC0-28d and AUC0-84d; Cellular Kinetic Parameter for Tisagenlecleucel by Flow Cytometry, Based on Clinical Response by IRC Assessment
Exposure is summarized as area under the curve (AUC) from time 0 to 28 days (AUC0-28d) and from time to 84 days (AUC0-84d). The cellular kinetic parameters were estimated from the percentages of CD3+/CTL019+ cells obtained from flow cytometry. Flow cytometry measures the surface expression of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) on T cells.
Measured: AUC0-28d: from time of infusion to 28 days post-dose; AUC0-84d: from time of infusion to 84 days post-infusion
Cmax; Cellular Kinetic Parameter for Tisagenlecleucel by Flow Cytometry, Based on Clinical Response by IRC Assessment
Cmax is the maximum (peak) observed in peripheral blood after single dose administration. Actual sampling times were taken into consideration for the calculation of cellular kinetic parameters parameters.
Measured: From pre-dose until 60 months after infusion
Summary of Exposure of CD3+ Tisagenlecleucel Cells in Peripheral Blood for Tmax
In vivo cellular kinetics of CD3+/CTL019+ levels tisagenlecleucel cells detected by flow cytometry base on best overall response (BOR). The cellular kinetic parameters were estimated from the percentages of CD3+/CTL019+ cells obtained from flow cytometry. Flow cytometry measures the surface expression of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) on T cells.
Measured: From pre-dose until 60 months after infusion
Humoral Immunogenicity: Number of Participants With Anti-mCAR19 Antibodies, Per IRC Assessment
Antibody titers specific to the tisagenlecleucel molecule prior to and following infusion. Percentage of participants who tested positive for anti-mCAR19 antibodies at any time post-baseline. A participant was only defined as positive for tisagenlecleucel treatment-induced or -boosted anti-mCAR19 antibodies when the anti-mCAR19 antibody median fluorescence intensity (MFI) at any time post-infusion was at least 2.28-fold higher than pre-infusion levels for patients whose baseline status was positive (boosted) or if the baseline status was negative, but any post-baseline interpretation was positive (induced).
Measured: at any time post-baseline, up to 24 months post-infusion
Cellular Immunogenicity: Percentage of Interferon Gamma (IFNg+) Cells by Flow Cytometry Per IRC Assessment
Activation of T-cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected from participants in response to mCAR19-derived peptides was used to assess the cellular immunogenicity against tisagenlecleucel. T-cell activation was measured by the percentage of interferon gamma (IFNg+) cells by flow cytometry. Cellular responses to mCART peptides were measured pre-infusion (enrollment) and post-tisagenlecleucel infusion.
Pool 1 and Pool 2 are a pool of 60 peptides (peptides 1-60) and 59 peptides (peptides 61-119) , respectively, corresponding to the CTL019 transgene product. Together, they comprised 119 peptides spanning the CTL019 transgene product and were used to stimulate PBMCs to detect antigen-specific T cell responses via intracellular cytokine staining.
Measured: pre-infusion (pre-Lymph depletion evaluation), 24 months post-infusion
Summary Scores of Patient-reported Outcome (PRO) Measured by SF-36v2 Quality of Life Questionnaire by Visit
Effect of tisagenlecleucel therapy on patient reported outcomes were reported using the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) v2 form. The SF-36 v2 is a widely used and extensively studied instrument to measure health-related quality of life among healthy patients and patients with acute and chronic conditions. It consists of eight subscales that can be scored individually: Physical Functioning, Role-Physical, Bodily Pain, General Health, Vitality, Social Functioning, Role-Emotional, and Mental Health. Two overall summary scores, the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the Mental Component Summary (MCS) were computed by summing the item responses on the questions for each domain in accordance with the respective scoring method provided by the developers. Each item is scored on a 0 to 100 range so that the lowest and highest possible scores are 0 and 100, respectively. A high score defines a more favorable health state.
Measured: Baseline (BL) Month (M) 3, M3, M6, M9, M12, M18, M24
Summary Scores of PRO Measured by SF-36v2 Quality of Life Questionnaire Reported by Change From Baseline
Effect of tisagenlecleucel therapy on patient reported outcomes were reported using the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) v2 form. The SF-36 v2 is a widely used and extensively studied instrument to measure health-related quality of life among healthy patients and patients with acute and chronic conditions. It consists of eight subscales that can be scored individually: Physical Functioning, Role-Physical, Bodily Pain, General Health, Vitality, Social Functioning, Role-Emotional, and Mental Health. Two overall summary scores, the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the Mental Component Summary (MCS) were computed by summing the item responses on the questions for each domain in accordance with the respective scoring method provided by the developers. Each item is scored on a 0 to 100 range so that the lowest and highest possible scores are 0 and 100, respectively. A high score defines a more favorable health state.
Measured: Change from baseline (CFB) M3, CFB M6, CFB M9, CFB M12, CFB M18, CFB M24
Health Status Measured by EQ-5D-3L Questionnaire
Effect of tisagenlecleucel therapy on patient-reported outcomes was assessed using the EuroQol 5-Dimension, 3-Level instrument (EQ-5D-3L). The EQ-5D-3L is a widely used, self-administered questionnaire designed to evaluate health status in adults. It consists of two sections. The first includes one item for each of the five dimensions (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression). Patients rate each dimension as "no problems" (level 1), "some problems" (level 2), or "extreme problems" (level 3). This record summarizes, for each of the five dimensions, the number of patients falling into each response level.
Measured: Baseline (BL), Month 3, Month 6, Month 9, Month 12, Month 18, Month 24, Month 36
Summary Scores of PRO Measured by EQ-VAS Quality of Life Questionnaire by Visit
Effect of tisagenlecleucel therapy on patient reported outcomes were reported using the EQ-VAS (EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale). The EQ-VAS is a 20 cm vertical, 0-100 numerical scale used alongside the EQ-5D questionnaire to measure a patient's self-rated health. It anchors "best imaginable health" (100) at the top and "worst imaginable health" (0) at the bottom, providing a quick, subjective, quantitative, and global assessment of health status on the day of survey. The second section of the questionnaire measures self-rated (global) health status utilizing a vertically oriented visual analogue scale where 100 represents the "best possible health state" and 0 represents the "worst possible health state."
Measured: Baseline (BL) Month (M) 3, M6, M9, M12, M18, M24, M36
Summary Scores of PRO Measured by EQ-VAS Quality of Life Questionnaire Reported by Change From Baseline
Effect of tisagenlecleucel therapy on patient reported outcomes were reported using the EQ-VAS (EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale). The EQ-VAS is a 20 cm vertical, 0-100 numerical scale used alongside the EQ-5D questionnaire to measure a patient's self-rated health. It anchors "best imaginable health" (100) at the top and "worst imaginable health" (0) at the bottom, providing a quick, subjective, quantitative, and global assessment of health status on the day of survey
Measured: Baseline (BL), M3 change from baseline (CFB), M6 CFB, M9 CFB, M12 CFB, M18 CFB, M24 CFB, M36 CFB
Summary Scores of PRO Measured by FACT-Lym Quality of Life Questionnaire
The effect of tisagenlecleucel therapy on patient-reported outcomes was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lymphoma (FACT-Lym) questionnaire, which measures quality of life in participants with lymphoma. FACT-Lym is composed of the FACT-G (27 items across Physical, Social/Family, Emotional, and Functional Well-Being, plus Additional Concerns) and a 15-item lymphoma-specific subscale. All items use a five-point self-administered response scale (0-4), with higher scores indicating better quality of life. The possible score ranges are as follows: - Physical Well-Being (PWB): 0-28 - Social/Family Well-Being (SWB): 0-28 - Emotional Well-Being (EWB): 0-24 - Functional Well-Being (FWB): 0-28 - Lym Subscale (15 items): 0-60 - Lymphoma Trial Outcome Index (TOI: PWB + FWB + Lym): 0-116 - FACT-G Total (PWB + SWB + EWB + FWB): 0-108 - FACT-Lym Total (FACT-G + Lym): 0-168 In all cases, higher scores indicate better outcomes within the corresponding domain.
Measured: Baseline (BL) Month (M) 3, M6, M9, M12, M18, M24, M36
Summary Scores of PRO Measured by FACT-Lym Quality of Life Questionnaire Reported by Change From Baseline
The effect of tisagenlecleucel therapy on patient-reported outcomes was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lymphoma (FACT-Lym) questionnaire, which measures quality of life in participants with lymphoma. FACT-Lym is composed of the FACT-G (27 items across Physical, Social/Family, Emotional, and Functional Well-Being, plus Additional Concerns) and a 15-item lymphoma-specific subscale. All items use a five-point self-administered response scale (0-4), with higher scores indicating better quality of life. The possible score ranges are as follows: - Physical Well-Being (PWB): 0-28 - Social/Family Well-Being (SWB): 0-28 - Emotional Well-Being (EWB): 0-24 - Functional Well-Being (FWB): 0-28 - Lym Subscale (15 items): 0-60 - Lymphoma Trial Outcome Index (TOI: PWB + FWB + Lym): 0-116 - FACT-G Total (PWB + SWB + EWB + FWB): 0-108 - FACT-Lym Total (FACT-G + Lym): 0-168 In all cases, higher scores indicate better outcomes within the corresponding domain.
Measured: Baseline (BL), M3 change from baseline (CFB), M6 CFB, M9 CFB, M12 CFB, M18 CFB, M24 CFB, M36 CFB
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted26 Jun 2018
- Study start12 Nov 2018
- Primary completion24 Nov 2020
- Study completion28 May 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Follicular LymphomaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Novartis PharmaceuticalsThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 98 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Novartis Pharmaceuticals
- Sponsor type
- Industry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Study director, Novartis Pharmaceuticals
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03568461
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- CCTL019E2202
- Other IDs
- 2017-004385-94, 2023-508127-13-00, 2023, 2017
- Acronym
- ELARA
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 24 May 2018
- Last updated
- 9 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- Yes
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Novartis is committed to sharing with qualified external researchers, access to patient-level data and supporting clinical documents from eligible studies. These requests are reviewed and approved by an independent expert panel on the basis of scientific merit. All data provided is anonymized to respect the privacy of patients who have participated in the trial in line with applicable laws and regulations. This trial data is currently available according to the process described on www.clinicalstudydatarequest.com.
Publications
Dreyling M, Fowler NH, Dickinson M, Martinez-Lopez J, Kolstad A, Butler J, Ghosh M, Popplewell L, Chavez JC, Bachy E, Kato K, Harigae H, Kersten MJ, Andreadis C, Riedell PA, Ho PJ, Perez-Simon JA, Chen AI, Nastoupil LJ, von Tresckow B, Maria Ferreri AJ, Teshima T, Patten PEM, McGuirk JP, Petzer AL, Offner F, Viardot A, Zinzani PL, Malladi R, Paule I, Zia A, Awasthi R, Han X, Germano D, O'Donovan D, Ramos R, Maier HJ, Masood A, Thieblemont C, Schuster SJ. Durable response after tisagenlecleucel in adults with relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma: ELARA trial update. Blood. 2024 Apr 25;143(17):1713-1725. doi: 10.1182/blood.2023021567.
PubMed 38194692Salles G, Schuster SJ, Dreyling M, Fischer L, Kuruvilla J, Patten PEM, von Tresckow B, Smith SM, Jimenez-Ubieto A, Davis KL, Anjos C, Chu J, Zhang J, Lobetti Bodoni C, Thieblemont C, Fowler NH, Dickinson M, Martinez-Lopez J, Wang Y, Link BK. Efficacy comparison of tisagenlecleucel vs usual care in patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma. Blood Adv. 2022 Nov 22;6(22):5835-5843. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2022008150.
PubMed 35973192Fowler NH, Dickinson M, Dreyling M, Martinez-Lopez J, Kolstad A, Butler J, Ghosh M, Popplewell L, Chavez JC, Bachy E, Kato K, Harigae H, Kersten MJ, Andreadis C, Riedell PA, Ho PJ, Perez-Simon JA, Chen AI, Nastoupil LJ, von Tresckow B, Ferreri AJM, Teshima T, Patten PEM, McGuirk JP, Petzer AL, Offner F, Viardot A, Zinzani PL, Malladi R, Zia A, Awasthi R, Masood A, Anak O, Schuster SJ, Thieblemont C. Tisagenlecleucel in adult relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma: the phase 2 ELARA trial. Nat Med. 2022 Feb;28(2):325-332. doi: 10.1038/s41591-021-01622-0. Epub 2021 Dec 17.
PubMed 34921238
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 9 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Phase II, Single Arm, Multicenter Open Label Trial to Determine the Efficacy and Safety of Tisagenlecleucel (CTL019) in Adult Patients With Refractory or Relapsed Follicular Lymphoma
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03568461
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ELARA / CCTL019E2202
- Conditions
- Follicular Lymphoma
- Keywords
- Refractory or relapsed Follicular Lymphoma, Refractory, Relapsed, Follicular lymphoma, CTL019, Tisagenlecleucel, Chimeric antigen receptor, CAR19
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 98 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Novartis PharmaceuticalsIndustry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Study start
- 12 Nov 2018 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 24 Nov 2020 (actual)
- Study completion
- 28 May 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 26 Jun 2018 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 22 Jul 2022
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This is a multi-center, phase II study to determine the efficacy and safety of tisagenlecleucel in adult patients with relapsed or refractory FL.
Detailed description
This single-arm, open label study had the following sequential phases: Screening, Pretreatment, Treatment and Follow-up. In the Pre-treatment phase, the patient could undergo bridging therapy (optional) and lymphodepleting (LD) chemotherapy. Treatment and Follow-up Phase included tisagenlecleucel infusion, and safety and efficacy follow-up for at least 24 months. For all the patients who received tisagenlecleucel infusion, additional survival follow-up was to be performed to determine survival status every 3 months.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| CTL019 | Experimental | Biological: tisagenlecleucelAll patients who received tisagenlecleucel infusion. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 100 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Refractory or relapsed Follicular Lymphoma (Grade 1, 2, 3A)
- Radiographically measurable disease at screening
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Evidence of histologic transformation
- Follicular Lymphoma Grade 3B
- Prior anti-CD19 therapy
- Prior gene therapy
- Prior adoptive T cell therapy
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| tisagenlecleucelAlso: CTL019Tisagenlecleucel is single infusion. | Biological | CTL019 |
Primary outcome
Complete Response Rate (CRR) Per Independent Review Committee (IRC) Assessment
Time frame: 1 year
Complete response rate was defined as the percentage of participants with a best overall response (BOR) of complete response (CR) recorded from tisagenlecleucel infusion until progressive disease or start of new anticancer therapy, whichever came first. CRR was determined by an independent review committee (IRC) and was based on Lugano 2014 classification response criteria. The radiological response is first obtained from CT and PET studies according to the Lugano 2014 criteria. CT response is based on anatomical measurements of index/non-index/new lesions and spleen length. The possible response outcomes are complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD), or progressive disease (PD). PET response based on a 5-point scale (5PS) or Deauville score. The possible outcomes for PET response are complete metabolic response (CMR), partial metabolic response (PMR), no metabolic response (NMR), or progressive metabolic disease (PMD).
21 secondary outcomes
Overall Response Rate (ORR) Per IRC Assessment
Time frame: 1 year
Duration of Response (DOR) Per IRC Assessment
Time frame: approx. 60 months
Duration of Response (DOR) for Complete Response (CR) Only Per IRC Assessment
Time frame: approx. 60 months
Progression Free Survival (PFS) Per IRC Assessment
Time frame: up to 61.7 months
Overall Survival (OS)
Time frame: up to 65.8 months
Tisagenlecleucel Transgene Concentration Levels as Measured by Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) Method, by Clinical Response Per IRC Assessment
Time frame: Month 60 (peripheral blood), Month 6 (bone marrow)
Cmax; Cellular Kinetic Parameter of Tisagenlecleucel Transgene Levels by qPCR, Based on Clinical Response IRC Assessment
Time frame: up to 60 months after infusion
Tmax; Cellular Kinetic Parameter of Tisagenlecleucel Transgene Levels by qPCR, Based on Clinical Response by IRC Assessment
Time frame: up to 60 months after infusion
AUC0-28d and AUC0-84d; Cellular Kinetic Parameter of Tisagenlecleucel Transgene Levels by qPCR, Based on Clinical Response by IRC Assessment
Time frame: 0 to 28 days after infusion, 0 to 84 days after infusion
AUC0-28d and AUC0-84d; Cellular Kinetic Parameter for Tisagenlecleucel by Flow Cytometry, Based on Clinical Response by IRC Assessment
Time frame: AUC0-28d: from time of infusion to 28 days post-dose; AUC0-84d: from time of infusion to 84 days post-infusion
Cmax; Cellular Kinetic Parameter for Tisagenlecleucel by Flow Cytometry, Based on Clinical Response by IRC Assessment
Time frame: From pre-dose until 60 months after infusion
Summary of Exposure of CD3+ Tisagenlecleucel Cells in Peripheral Blood for Tmax
Time frame: From pre-dose until 60 months after infusion
Humoral Immunogenicity: Number of Participants With Anti-mCAR19 Antibodies, Per IRC Assessment
Time frame: at any time post-baseline, up to 24 months post-infusion
Cellular Immunogenicity: Percentage of Interferon Gamma (IFNg+) Cells by Flow Cytometry Per IRC Assessment
Time frame: pre-infusion (pre-Lymph depletion evaluation), 24 months post-infusion
Summary Scores of Patient-reported Outcome (PRO) Measured by SF-36v2 Quality of Life Questionnaire by Visit
Time frame: Baseline (BL) Month (M) 3, M3, M6, M9, M12, M18, M24
Summary Scores of PRO Measured by SF-36v2 Quality of Life Questionnaire Reported by Change From Baseline
Time frame: Change from baseline (CFB) M3, CFB M6, CFB M9, CFB M12, CFB M18, CFB M24
Health Status Measured by EQ-5D-3L Questionnaire
Time frame: Baseline (BL), Month 3, Month 6, Month 9, Month 12, Month 18, Month 24, Month 36
Summary Scores of PRO Measured by EQ-VAS Quality of Life Questionnaire by Visit
Time frame: Baseline (BL) Month (M) 3, M6, M9, M12, M18, M24, M36
Summary Scores of PRO Measured by EQ-VAS Quality of Life Questionnaire Reported by Change From Baseline
Time frame: Baseline (BL), M3 change from baseline (CFB), M6 CFB, M9 CFB, M12 CFB, M18 CFB, M24 CFB, M36 CFB
Summary Scores of PRO Measured by FACT-Lym Quality of Life Questionnaire
Time frame: Baseline (BL) Month (M) 3, M6, M9, M12, M18, M24, M36
Summary Scores of PRO Measured by FACT-Lym Quality of Life Questionnaire Reported by Change From Baseline
Time frame: Baseline (BL), M3 change from baseline (CFB), M6 CFB, M9 CFB, M12 CFB, M18 CFB, M24 CFB, M36 CFB
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 9 Jul 2026.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 38194692Dreyling M, Fowler NH, Dickinson M, Martinez-Lopez J, Kolstad A, Butler J, Ghosh M, Popplewell L, Chavez JC, Bachy E, Kato K, Harigae H, Kersten MJ, Andreadis C, Riedell PA, Ho PJ, Perez-Simon JA, Chen AI, Nastoupil LJ, von Tresckow B, Maria Ferreri AJ, Teshima T, Patten PEM, McGuirk JP, Petzer AL, Offner F, Viardot A, Zinzani PL, Malladi R, Paule I, Zia A, Awasthi R, Han X, Germano D, O'Donovan D, Ramos R, Maier HJ, Masood A, Thieblemont C, Schuster SJ. Durable response after tisagenlecleucel in adults with relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma: ELARA trial update. Blood. 2024 Apr 25;143(17):1713-1725. doi: 10.1182/blood.2023021567.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 35973192Salles G, Schuster SJ, Dreyling M, Fischer L, Kuruvilla J, Patten PEM, von Tresckow B, Smith SM, Jimenez-Ubieto A, Davis KL, Anjos C, Chu J, Zhang J, Lobetti Bodoni C, Thieblemont C, Fowler NH, Dickinson M, Martinez-Lopez J, Wang Y, Link BK. Efficacy comparison of tisagenlecleucel vs usual care in patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma. Blood Adv. 2022 Nov 22;6(22):5835-5843. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2022008150.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 34921238Fowler NH, Dickinson M, Dreyling M, Martinez-Lopez J, Kolstad A, Butler J, Ghosh M, Popplewell L, Chavez JC, Bachy E, Kato K, Harigae H, Kersten MJ, Andreadis C, Riedell PA, Ho PJ, Perez-Simon JA, Chen AI, Nastoupil LJ, von Tresckow B, Ferreri AJM, Teshima T, Patten PEM, McGuirk JP, Petzer AL, Offner F, Viardot A, Zinzani PL, Malladi R, Zia A, Awasthi R, Masood A, Anak O, Schuster SJ, Thieblemont C. Tisagenlecleucel in adult relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma: the phase 2 ELARA trial. Nat Med. 2022 Feb;28(2):325-332. doi: 10.1038/s41591-021-01622-0. Epub 2021 Dec 17.
- A Plain Language Trial Summary is available on www.novctrd.comLink provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Novartis is committed to sharing with qualified external researchers, access to patient-level data and supporting clinical documents from eligible studies. These requests are reviewed and approved by an independent expert panel on the basis of scientific merit. All data provided is anonymized to respect the privacy of patients who have participated in the trial in line with applicable laws and regulations. This trial data is currently available according to the process described on www.clinicalstudydatarequest.com.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Novartis Pharmaceuticals study director
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
30 sites in 12 countries: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 2 study testing tisagenlecleucel in people with Follicular Lymphoma, run by Novartis Pharmaceuticals at 30 sites in 12 countries.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 30 sites in United States, Australia, Germany, Japan, France and 7 more countries. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 22 Jul 2022). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Complete Response Rate (CRR) Per Independent Review Committee (IRC) Assessment (time frame: 1 year). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03568461, which also lists 3 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 9 Jul 2026.