Deaths prompt ADC to pause Zynlonta trial enrolment

ADC Therapeutics (Nasdaq: ADCT) has announced a pause in patient enrollment in the Phase II LOTIS-9 trial of Zynlonta (loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl) and rituximab (Lonca-R) in unfit or frail patients with previously-untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

This voluntary action was taken by the Switzerland-headquartered company after a recent review of aggregate data of the 40 patients enrolled in the trial, and consultation with the Data Monitoring Committee, which signaled potentially excessive respiratory-related events.

"Our top priority is the safety of every patient"These respiratory-related treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) included seven deaths and five grade three or grade four respiratory-related TEAEs.