Blood Cancer Research WA is helping bring a world-leading clinical trial to Western Australia, offering eligible patients with large B-cell lymphoma access to an innovative treatment approach aimed at reducing the risk of relapse.
The ALPHA3 clinical trial is investigating whether early intervention with an advanced form of immunotherapy can help prevent lymphoma from returning in patients who have completed their initial treatment but remain at higher risk of relapse.
Large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL), including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), is one of the most common and aggressive forms of blood cancer. While many patients respond well to first-line treatment, some experience their disease returning. The ALPHA3 trial is exploring whether identifying patients at higher risk of relapse — and treating them earlier — could improve long-term outcomes.
Using advanced testing to identify patients at risk
A key component of the ALPHA3 trial is the use of an investigational minimal residual disease (MRD) test.
After treatment, some patients may have very small amounts of remaining cancer cells in their body that cannot be detected through standard scans. This is known as minimal residual disease.
The ALPHA3 trial uses advanced testing to detect these tiny traces of lymphoma and identify patients who may be at greater risk of their cancer returning. Researchers are investigating whether treating these patients before relapse occurs could help achieve better outcomes.
Exploring CAR T-cell therapy earlier in treatment
The trial is investigating the use of cema-cel (cemacabtagene ansegedleucel), an investigational CAR T-cell therapy.
CAR T-cell therapy is a personalised form of immunotherapy that uses a patient’s own immune cells, which are modified to recognise and attack cancer cells. It has become an important treatment option for some patients with relapsed or difficult-to-treat blood cancers.
The ALPHA3 trial is exploring whether using CAR T-cell therapy earlier in the treatment journey — before lymphoma returns — may help eliminate remaining cancer cells and reduce the chance of relapse.
Professor Chan Cheah, Principal Investigator for the ALPHA3 trial in Western Australia, said bringing innovative clinical trials to WA gives patients access to promising new treatments while helping advance global blood cancer research.
“Clinical trials like ALPHA3 represent the future of personalised cancer care,” Professor Cheah said.
“By using advanced testing to identify patients who may be at higher risk of relapse, we can investigate whether treating earlier can improve outcomes and change the way we approach lymphoma treatment.”
Expanding access to world-leading research in WA
Historically, many Western Australians diagnosed with blood cancer have had to travel interstate or overseas to access cutting-edge clinical trials.
Through investment in clinical research infrastructure, specialist staff and partnerships with leading international researchers, Blood Cancer Research WA is helping change this by bringing more trials closer to home.
The ALPHA3 clinical trial is one of many research studies supported by Blood Cancer Research WA, providing eligible patients with access to emerging therapies while contributing to discoveries that may shape the future of blood cancer treatment.
What this means for patients
Clinical trials play a vital role in improving cancer care. They allow researchers to test new approaches, understand which treatments work best for individual patients, and develop better options for the future.
For eligible patients, participation in the ALPHA3 trial provides an opportunity to access an emerging therapy while contributing to research that could benefit future generations of people living with lymphoma.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with large B-cell lymphoma and would like to learn more about clinical trial opportunities, speak with your treating haematologist or contact the Blood Cancer Research WA clinical trials team.
Through research, collaboration and innovation, Blood Cancer Research WA is helping bring the next generation of blood cancer treatments closer to home.
ALPHA3 clinical trial at a glance
Cancer type: Large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL)
Treatment being studied: CAR T-cell therapy (cema-cel)
Purpose: To investigate whether early treatment can help prevent relapse in patients at higher risk
Location: Western Australia
Principal Investigator: Professor Chan Cheah
