DLBCL Asia-Pacific Insights And Experiences

By Alma Panganiban-Padrinao - Senior Medical Director Head, Asia Medical; Maria Roselle Lucas - Senior Director, Medical Head, Oncology/Hematology; Anju Gopan - Medical Director Oncology/Hematology; Jaime Enrique Hilado - Associate Medical Director Oncology; Lara Kristina Donato - Associate Medical Director Hematology; Anish Sule - Director, Integrated Market Access CSMS, Reviewer; Vaishnavi Krishnan - MSL, CSMS, Asia Pacific Senior Author

As diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cases increase in the Asia-Pacific region, it is crucial to evaluate opportunities for enhancing treatment accessibility and improving quality of life. Timely access to appropriate treatment, along with advancements in biomarker-driven research and precision medicine, has led to the emergence of newer therapeutic options with reduced toxicities. Consequently, physicians can strive to provide improved care and offer diverse treatment choices for patients diagnosed with DLBCL.

This holds particularly true for patients who have exhausted SOC agents and for those who do not respond to conventional therapy. In global trials, where the APAC may not be initially involved, there are frequent changes or additions to the SOC, necessitating a thorough understanding of the implications of conducting DLBCL trials in the region. To achieve better access and success with newer treatments, increasing the number of clinical trials is an optimal approach. Unfortunately, APAC has not always been considered a priority for conducting the latest clinical trials, unlike the Americas and Europe. As a result, there is a delay in patients receiving newer therapies or participating in clinical trials as part of their management.

To understand the challenges and facilitate innovative ideas to drive clinical trials in the APAC region, IQVIA conducted an advisory board with a pre-meeting questionnaire involving key opinion leaders from 8 countries, including Australia, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Korea. By and large, Australia, Japan, and South Korea have more access to commercial CAR-T cell therapy and clinical studies.

Get an overview of trends and insights into the current development of DLBCL clinical trials in the APAC and excerpts from the panel discussion by accessing the whitepaper below.