Central Nervous System LymphomaPhase 2NCT04548648

A Pilot Study of Acalabrutinib in Relapsed/Refractory Primary and Secondary CNS Lymphomas

A Phase 2 study testing Acalabrutinib in people with Central Nervous System Lymphoma, run by UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at 3 sites in United States.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record

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Trial summary

Who is it for?: Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for: Central Nervous System Lymphoma
What is being tested?: Acalabrutinib
Type of treatment: Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?: No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people: 10 participants
Where: 3 sitesUnited States
Study dates: 15 Oct 2020to 14 Mar 2030
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 years and older
All sexes
No healthy volunteers
Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

Willing and able to participate in all required evaluations and procedures in this study protocol, including swallowing capsules and tablets without difficulty.
Ability to understand the purpose and risks of the study and provide signed and dated informed consent and authorization to use protected health information (in accordance with national and local patient privacy regulations).
Age ≥18 years at the time of consent.
Subject has adequate performance status as defined by The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) of ≤ 2
Subject has histological confirmation of biopsy-proven central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings consistent with CNS lymphoma if biopsy is not possible (due to inaccessible location). Subjects with intra-ocular lymphoma will not be excluded as long as there is also parenchymal disease.
Subject has B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

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Subject has no evidence of systemic involvement of lymphoma confirmed by computerized tomography (CT) or positron emission tomography (PET)-CT imaging within 28 days prior to first dosing in the study.
Subject must have received at least one prior line of chemotherapy for primary or secondary CNS lymphoma.
Subject has adequate organ function as demonstrated by: System Laboratory Value Hematological* Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) ≥ 1 x 109/L Platelets ≥ 75 x 109/L Renal* Calculated creatinine clearance ≥ 30 mL/min using the Cockcroft-Gault formula (Appendix B) Hepatic* Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 × upper limit of normal (ULN). Subjects with Gilbert's syndrome may be enrolled despite a total bilirubin level >1.5 mg/dL if their conjugated bilirubin is <1.5× ULN) Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≤ 2.5 × ULN Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤ 2.5 × ULN Coagulation International Normalized Ratio (INR) or Prothrombin Time (PT) and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) ≤ 2 × ULN (in the absence of lupus anticoagulant)

Who cannot join

Subjects meeting any of the following exclusion criteria will not be able to participate in this study.
Prior cancer treatment that was completed less than 14 days prior to Day 1 of study dosing or if subject has not recovered from all reversible acute toxic effects of the regimen to grade ≤1 or baseline.
Prior brain radiotherapy under the following conditions:
Whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) that was completed less than 28 days prior to Day 1 of study dosing
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) that was competed less than 14 days prior to Day 1 of study dosing.
Currently participating in or has participated in a study of an investigational agent within 28 days of first dosing with study treatment.

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Subject is pregnant or breastfeeding.
Subject has active cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) involvement that requires ongoing intrathecal chemotherapy
Previous exposure to a Bruton Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) inhibitor.
Subjects with severe hepatic insufficiency, as defined by Child-Pugh Score > 6.
Subject is receiving prohibited medications or treatments as listed in the protocol that cannot be discontinued/replaced by an alternative therapy.
Subject requires or receiving anticoagulation with warfarin or equivalent vitamin K antagonists within 14 days of first dose of study drug. Subjects requires or is taking direct oral anticoagulants within 7 days of first dose of study drug.
Subject requires treatment with proton pump inhibitors. Subjects receiving proton pump inhibitors who switch to H2-receptor antagonists or antacids are eligible for enrollment to this study.
Subject is currently receiving any chemotherapy, anticancer immunotherapy.
Subject has clinically significant cardiovascular disease such as ventricular dysfunction, symptomatic coronary artery disease, uncontrolled or symptomatic arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, or myocardial infarction within 6 months of screening, or any Class 3 or 4 cardiac disease as defined by the New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Classification at screening. Subjects with controlled, asymptomatic atrial fibrillation during screening can enroll on study.
Subject has familial short QT syndrome.
Subject has a history of malabsorption syndrome, disease significantly affecting gastrointestinal function, or resection of the stomach or small bowel, symptomatic inflammatory bowel disease, partial or complete bowel obstruction, or gastric restrictions and bariatric surgery, such as gastric bypass that is likely to affect absorption.
Subject has a known history of infection with HIV or any uncontrolled active significant infection.
Subject has a known history of drug-specific hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis to acalabrutinib (including active ingredient or excipient components).
Subject has active bleeding or history of bleeding diathesis.
Subject has a history of uncontrolled autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).
Subject has a history of significant cerebrovascular disease/event, including stroke or intracranial hemorrhage, within 6 months before the first dose of acalabrutinib.
Subject had major surgical procedure within 28 days of first dose of acalabrutinib.
Subject who are hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) positive and who are hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) negative will need to have a negative PCR result before randomization and must be willing to undergo DNA PCR testing during the study. Subjects who are core antibody positive and viral load negative must receive entecavir Those who are HbsAg-positive, or hepatitis B PCR positive will be excluded.
Subjects who are hepatitis C antibody positive must have a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result. Those who are hepatitis C PCR positive will be excluded.
Subjects with evidence of disease that investigator decides that is not suitable to enroll in the study.
History of or ongoing confirmed progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).
Received a live virus vaccination within 28 days of first dose of study drug.
Any active significant infection.
Concurrent participation in another therapeutic clinical trial.
Current life-threatening illness, medical condition, or organ system dysfunction which, in the Investigator's opinion, could compromise the subject's safety or put the study at risk.

Trial locations and contacts

3 sites in 1 country.

United States3 sites

Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599
Moffit Cancer Center
Tampa, Florida, 33612
Wake Forest University,The Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157-1096

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: LCCC1841: A Pilot Study of Acalabrutinib in Relapsed/Refractory Primary and Secondary CNS Lymphomas

The purpose of this study is to test whether giving acalabrutinib is safe and effective in controlling relapsed central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma. Currently, there are no FDA-approved treatments for relapsed CNS lymphoma. Although acalabrutinib has not been approved for the treatment of CNS lymphoma, it was approved for the treatment of another type of lymphoma (mantle cell), by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Acalabrutinib acts similar to another cancer drug called ibrutinib. lbrutinib was tested in several research trials for the management of CNS lymphomas, and the results were promising. Acalabrutinib and ibrutinib attack a similar target found in CNS lymphoma. Acalabrutinib may do a better job in attacking this target than ibrutinib. The study doctors will be looking to see if acalabrutinib can shrink cancer cells.

Read the detailed description

This multicenter open-label, single-arm, pilot study explores a safe and effective treatment for relapsed central nervous system lymphoma. The study investigates the antitumor effects and safety of acalabrutinib in subjects with relapsed primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) or relapsed secondary CNS lymphoma (SCNSL) with no evidence of current systemic disease. Types of SCNSL included in the study are: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, plasmablastic lymphoma, and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. Up to 16 subjects will be enrolled to attain a total of 15 evaluable subjects.

Duration of Follow-up All subjects will be followed for survival for 5 years or until death, whichever occurs first.

Conditions: Central Nervous System Lymphoma
Being tested: Acalabrutinib
Keywords: CNS Lymphoma

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

AcalabrutinibDrug
Also called ACP-196, CALQUENCE
Acalabrutinib at 100 mg is taken orally approximately every 12 hours until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Study groups in NCT04548648
Study group	Role	What they receive
Open-label, single-arm	Other	A multicenter open-label, single-arm, phase 2 study designed to investigate the antitumor effects of acalabrutinib in subjects with relapsed primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), and relapsed secondary CNS lymphoma (SCNSL) with no evidence of current systemic disease. Subjects will receive acalabrutinib at the dose of 100 mg every 12 hours. Receives: Drug: Acalabrutinib

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

Overall Response Rate
The overall response rate (ORR) will be assessed based on the International Primary CNS Lymphoma Collaborative Group Response assessment criteria. Responder = Partial Response + Complete Response).
Complete response (CR) as complete disappearance of contrast enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), no evidence of ocular lymphoma, negative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology, and discontinuation of corticosteroid use for at least 2 weeks prior to the evaluation of response. Unconfirmed CR (Cru) is used to characterize radiographic findings that fulfill the criteria for a CR, but the patient remains on corticosteroids, or MRI that continues to show small but persistent enhancing abnormalities possibly related to biopsy or surgery. Partial response (PR) is defined as a 50% decrease in enhancing tumor or residual disease on eye examinations, or persistent or suspicious CSF cytology.
Measured: 2 months

Secondary outcomes (6)

Number of Participants With Serious Adverse Events
All treatment-attributed adverse events and toxicities will be assessed, classified, and graded in accordance with the National Cancer Institute's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), version 5.0.
Measured: up to 3 years
Number of Different Types of Toxicity
All treatment-attributed adverse events and toxicities will be assessed, classified, and graded in accordance with the National Cancer Institute's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), version 5.0. CTCAE is a descriptive terminology which can be utilized for Adverse Event (AE) reporting and a grading (severity) scale is provided for each AE term. Grade 1 Mild; asymptomatic or mild symptoms; clinical or diagnostic observations only; intervention not indicated. Grade 2 Moderate; minimal, local or noninvasive intervention indicated; limiting age-appropriate instrumental Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Grade 3 Severe or medically significant but not immediately life-threatening; hospitalization or prolongation of hospitalization indicated; disabling; limiting self-care ADL. Grade 4 Life-threatening consequences; urgent intervention indicated. Grade 5 Death related to AE
Measured: up to 3 years
Progression-free Survival (PFS)
Progression-free survival (PFS) is defined from the date of initiating study treatment to the date of disease progression per the International Primary CNS Lymphoma Collaborative Group response assessment criteria or death as a result of any cause. Categories included complete response (no evidence of disease), partial response (reduction in disease burden), stable disease (no significant change), and progressive disease (disease worsening), based on radiographic findings, corticosteroid use, and clinical status.
Measured: Up to 400 days (Median 62 days )
Complete Response (CR) Rate
Complete Response (CR) is defined using the International Primary CNS Lymphoma Collaborative Group response assessment criteria for primary CNS lymphoma.
Measured: 2 years
Duration of Response (DoR)
Duration of response (DoR) is defined as time from documentation of tumor response to disease progression according to the International Primary CNS Lymphoma Collaborative Group response assessment criteria.
Measured: 2 years
Overall Survival (OS)
OS will be measured from the date of initiating study treatment to the date of death or 5 years (whichever is first). Subjects who have not died by the analysis data cut-off date will be censored at their last date of contact.
Measured: Up to 600 days (median 203.5 days)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

15 Oct 202014 Mar 2030

First posted14 Sep 2020
Study start15 Oct 2020
Primary completion14 May 2025
Study completion14 Mar 2030 (estimated)

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.
Other trials for Central Nervous System LymphomaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
More trials run by UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterThe 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
Model description: Simon Two-stage study to a pilot study.
Masking: None (open label)
Enrolment: 10 participants (actual)

IDs, dates and publications

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04548648
Sponsor's protocol ID: LCCC1841
Status last verified: May 2026
First submitted: 8 Sep 2020
Last updated: 10 Jun 2026
Results posted: Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
Data monitoring committee: Yes
FDA-regulated drug: Yes
FDA-regulated device: No
Individual data sharing: No

Want to know more?

The sponsor has not listed a contact. The official record may have more details.

Talk to your doctor first and take this page with you. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

Questions to ask the study team

What is the study trying to find out?
What would I need to do, and how often would I visit?
Could I receive a placebo instead of the treatment?
What are the possible risks and benefits for me?
Will it cost me anything? Are travel or time paid for?
Can I keep seeing my own doctor during the study?
What happens when the study ends?

See locations

RecruitingPhase 2
Ibrutinib Combination Therapy in Transplant Ineligible Individuals With Newly Diagnosed Primary CNS Lymphoma
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RecruitingPhase 1
Glofitamab With Obinutuzumab Pre-treatment for the Treatment of Central Nervous System Lymphoma
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At-Home Cancer Directed Therapy Versus in Clinic for the Treatment of Patients With Advanced Cancer
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RecruitingPhase 2
A Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Lisocabtagene Maraleucel (Liso-cel) as First-Line Therapy in Adults With Transplant-Ineligible Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma
Lymphoma
Active, not recruitingPhase 1/2
Safety and Dose Finding Study of Neratinib in Children and Young Adults With Cancer That Has Returned or Not Responded to Treatment
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All Central Nervous System Lymphoma trials

Study at a glance

From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 10 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.

Official title: LCCC1841: A Pilot Study of Acalabrutinib in Relapsed/Refractory Primary and Secondary CNS Lymphomas
ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04548648
Acronym / sponsor ID: LCCC1841
Conditions: Central Nervous System Lymphoma
Keywords: CNS Lymphoma
Phase: Phase 2
Study type: Interventional
Recruitment status: Active, not recruiting
Enrolment: 10 participants (actual)
Lead sponsor: UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterUniversity, hospital or other
Collaborators: AstraZeneca
Study start: 15 Oct 2020 (actual)
Primary completion: 14 May 2025 (actual)
Study completion: 14 Mar 2030 (estimated)
First posted: 14 Sep 2020 (actual)
Results: Posted 10 Jun 2026

Clinical summary

The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.

Detailed description

Duration of Follow-up All subjects will be followed for survival for 5 years or until death, whichever occurs first.

Study design

Primary purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Not applicable
Intervention model: Single group
Masking: None (open label)
Number of arms: 1
Model description: Simon Two-stage study to a pilot study.

Arm	Type	Receives
Open-label, single-arm	Other	Drug: AcalabrutinibA multicenter open-label, single-arm, phase 2 study designed to investigate the antitumor effects of acalabrutinib in subjects with relapsed primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), and relapsed secondary CNS lymphoma (SCNSL) with no evidence of current systemic disease. Subjects will receive acalabrutinib at the dose of 100 mg every 12 hours.

Who may qualify

Ages: 18 years and older
Sex: All
Healthy volunteers: Not accepted
Age groups: Adult, Older adult

Key inclusion criteria (9 listed)

Willing and able to participate in all required evaluations and procedures in this study protocol, including swallowing capsules and tablets without difficulty.
Ability to understand the purpose and risks of the study and provide signed and dated informed consent and authorization to use protected health information (in accordance with national and local patient privacy regulations).
Age ≥18 years at the time of consent.
Subject has adequate performance status as defined by The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) of ≤ 2
Subject has histological confirmation of biopsy-proven central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings consistent with CNS lymphoma if biopsy is not possible (due to inaccessible location). Subjects with intra-ocular lymphoma will not be excluded as long as there is also parenchymal disease.

Key exclusion criteria (31 listed)

Subjects meeting any of the following exclusion criteria will not be able to participate in this study.
Prior cancer treatment that was completed less than 14 days prior to Day 1 of study dosing or if subject has not recovered from all reversible acute toxic effects of the regimen to grade ≤1 or baseline.
Prior brain radiotherapy under the following conditions:
Currently participating in or has participated in a study of an investigational agent within 28 days of first dosing with study treatment.
Subject is pregnant or breastfeeding.

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
AcalabrutinibAlso: ACP-196, CALQUENCEAcalabrutinib at 100 mg is taken orally approximately every 12 hours until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.	Drug	Open-label, single-arm

Primary outcome

Overall Response Rate
Time frame: 2 months
The overall response rate (ORR) will be assessed based on the International Primary CNS Lymphoma Collaborative Group Response assessment criteria. Responder = Partial Response + Complete Response). Complete response (CR) as complete disappearance of contrast enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), no evidence of ocular lymphoma, negative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology, and discontinuation of corticosteroid use for at least 2 weeks prior to the evaluation of response. Unconfirmed CR (Cru) is used to characterize radiographic findings that fulfill the criteria for a CR, but the patient remains on corticosteroids, or MRI that continues to show small but persistent enhancing abnormalities possibly related to biopsy or surgery. Partial response (PR) is defined as a 50% decrease in enhancing tumor or residual disease on eye examinations, or persistent or suspicious CSF cytology.

6 secondary outcomes

Number of Participants With Serious Adverse Events
Time frame: up to 3 years
Number of Different Types of Toxicity
Time frame: up to 3 years
Progression-free Survival (PFS)
Time frame: Up to 400 days (Median 62 days )
Complete Response (CR) Rate
Time frame: 2 years
Duration of Response (DoR)
Time frame: 2 years
Overall Survival (OS)
Time frame: Up to 600 days (median 203.5 days)

Results and safety

Results posted to the registry on 10 Jun 2026, as reported by the sponsor. Figures are copied from the record, not re-analysed. Full results on ClinicalTrials.gov.

Participant flow

Group	Started	Completed
Open-label, Single-arm	10	9

Primary outcome: Overall Response Rate

Time frame: 2 months. Count of participants. Unit: Participants

Measure	Open-label, Single-arm n = 9
Value	1

6 secondary outcomes are reported in the full results.

Adverse events

Time frame: Up to 3 years.. Other adverse events reported at 0% frequency or more

Group	Serious adverse events	Other adverse events	Deaths
Open-label, Single-arm	5 of 10 (50%)	10 of 10 (100%)	5 of 10

Limitations and caveats (from the sponsor): This study did not achieve its target enrollment, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to broader populations.

Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…

Research links

Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 10 Jun 2026.
Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
University of North Carolina - Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center - Clinical TrialsLink provided by the sponsor.
Individual participant dataSharing planned: No

Related trials for Central Nervous System Lymphoma

RecruitingPhase 2
Ibrutinib Combination Therapy in Transplant Ineligible Individuals With Newly Diagnosed Primary CNS Lymphoma
Non-hodgkin Lymphoma
RecruitingPhase 1
Glofitamab With Obinutuzumab Pre-treatment for the Treatment of Central Nervous System Lymphoma
Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma, Secondary Central Nervous System Lymphoma
RecruitingPhase 2
At-Home Cancer Directed Therapy Versus in Clinic for the Treatment of Patients With Advanced Cancer
Advanced Anal Carcinoma, Advanced Biliary Tract Carcinoma
RecruitingPhase 2
A Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Lisocabtagene Maraleucel (Liso-cel) as First-Line Therapy in Adults With Transplant-Ineligible Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma
Lymphoma
Active, not recruitingPhase 1/2
Safety and Dose Finding Study of Neratinib in Children and Young Adults With Cancer That Has Returned or Not Responded to Treatment
Solid Tumor, Central Nervous System Tumor

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.

Christopher Dittus principal investigator

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

3 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing Acalabrutinib in people with Central Nervous System Lymphoma, run by UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at 3 sites in United States.

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 9 inclusion and 31 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: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 10 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 3 sites in United States. 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 10 Jun 2026). 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?

Overall Response Rate (time frame: 2 months). 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 NCT04548648.

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 10 Jun 2026.