Biolymph - a study of the causes and biology of lymphoma

ISRCTN ISRCTN12948913
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN12948913
Submission date
23/03/2021
Registration date
30/03/2021
Last edited
18/09/2024
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Ongoing
Condition category
Cancer
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Malignant lymphomas are a diverse group of diseases where lymphatic tissue undergoes a malignant transformation to cancer cells. About 2000 new cases of malignant lymphomas are diagnosed each year in Sweden. There’s increasing awareness that lymphomas are caused by multiple genetic changes. Thanks to the rapid development of methods to genetically analyse tumours researchers now have the ability to genetically characterise the DNA in tumours of all newly diagnosed lymphoma patients at Karolinska University Hospital. By analysing tumour DNA, they aim to increase understanding of how lymphomas arise and how to best predict and treat lymphomas.
In cancer some cells break and tumour DNA enters the blood circulation as cell-free DNA. Tumour-specific genetic variants may be identified in these DNA fragments. This method (also known as liquid biopsies) has recently emerged as a very promising way to assess genetic changes in several cancer forms. Thus, this study also aims to assess the use of liquid biopsies in lymphoma and find out whether liquid biopsies can provide diagnostic information, as well as information regarding response to treatment and risk of relapse.

Who can participate?
All adult patients with a newly diagnosed lymphoma at the Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm.

What does the study involve?
The study involves the collection of tumour material (already collected in routine clinical care), extra blood samples at diagnosis and during and after treatment, and filling in questionnaires on quality of life, fatigue and neuropathy at diagnosis and at 1,2 and 5 years after diagnosis.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Primarily, future lymphoma patients are projected to benefit from the current study, but is possible that some individual patients will benefit from knowing the genetic status of their lymphoma for example for treatment choice in a relapse setting. The risks of involvement are projected to be small as all samples are taken in planned routine clinical care, and only small amounts of additional blood samples are collected. In addition, participants will need to spend some time filling in questionnaires at diagnosis and 1, 2 and 5 years after diagnosis.

Where is the study run from?
Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital (Stockholm)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
February 2012 to February 2030

Who is funding the study?
The study is funded by grants from the Swedish Cancer Society, Stockholm County Council, Karolinska University Hospital, King V Jubilee Fund and Genome Medicine Sweden

Who is the main contact?
Karin Ekström Smedby
karin.ekstrom.smedby@ki.se

Contact information

Prof Karin Ekström Smedby
Scientific

Eugeniavägen 3, 171 64 Solna
Stockholm
17174
Sweden

Phone +46 (0)851770000
Email karin.ekstrom.smedby@ki.se

Study information

Study designProspective single-centre observational study with population-based inclusion
Primary study designObservational
Secondary study designCohort study
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeDiagnostic
Participant information sheet ISRCTN12948913_PIS.docx
Scientific titleProspective study of biology, aetiology and survival in lymphoma (BioLymph)
Study acronymBiolymph
Study objectivesThe general aim of this project is to further investigate the clinical significance of different genetic alterations in lymphomas and try to identify the genetic lesions that actually drive tumour progression, influence the response to different treatment alternatives, and affect survival. Further, the project aims to evaluate the potential clinical value of liquid biopsies as a DNA source for tumour characterisation, and marker of response and relapse.
Ethics approval(s)Approved 19/02/2018, addition approved 22/11/2020, regional ethics board Stockholm (regionala etikprövningsnämnden Stockholm, FE 289, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden; +468 (0)524 870 00; kansli@epn.stockholm.se), ref: 2017/2538-31, 2020-05978
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedMalignant lymphoma
InterventionAll newly diagnosed lymphoma patients at Karolinska University Hospital are asked to participate. Participation involves the collection of tumour material for genetic analysis (using a lymphoma panel [TWIST]), consisting of approximately 250 genes known to be frequently mutated in lymphomas. Blood samples for normal DNA will be obtained at diagnosis. Blood samples for liquid biopsies will be obtained at diagnosis, during and after treatment to assess cell-free tumour DNA. Further, participating patients will fill in questionnaires on quality of life, fatigue and neuropathy at diagnosis and after 1, 2 and 5 years.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureNumber and type of genetic driver mutations potentially relevant for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment prediction, assessed by next-generation sequencing (NGS) for each tumour case at diagnosis.
Secondary outcome measures1. Progression-free survival, assessed using data from medical records, the Swedish lymphoma register and Swedish cause-of-death register from the date of study inclusion to relapse, death or end of follow-up
2. Overall survival assessed using the Swedish cause-of-death register from the date of study inclusion to death or end of follow-up
3. Level of cell-free tumour DNA measured quantitatively using haploid genome equivalents per ml of plasma at diagnosis, after the first treatment, at interim analysis, end-of-treatment and once yearly
4. Quality of life assessed using the EORTC QLQ-30 questionnaire at diagnosis and at 1, 2 and 5 years after diagnosis
Overall study start date01/02/2012
Completion date01/02/2030

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants500
Key inclusion criteriaNewly diagnosed adult (aged 18 years or above) lymphoma patients
Key exclusion criteriaDoes not meet inclusion criteria
Date of first enrolment01/02/2019
Date of final enrolment01/02/2025

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Sweden

Study participating centre

Karolinska University Hospital
Department of Haematology
Solna
Stockholm
17174
Sweden

Sponsor information

Karolinska University Hospital
Hospital/treatment centre

Eugeniavägen 3
Solna
17176
Sweden

Phone +46 (0)851770000
Email karin.ekstrom.smedby@ki.se
Website http://www.karolinska.se/en
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/00m8d6786

Funders

Funder type

Charity

Swedish Cancer Foundation
Private sector organisation / Trusts, charities, foundations (both public and private)
Location
Sweden
Stockholms Läns Landsting
Government organisation / Local government
Alternative name(s)
Stockholm County Council
Location
Sweden
Karolinska University Hospital

No information available

King V Jubilee Fund

No information available

Genome Medicine Sweden

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date31/12/2027
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request, Other
Publication and dissemination planCurrent publication and dissemination plan as of 18/09/2024:
Planned publications in high-impact journals. The researchers have started publishing articles based on data from the study, with many subsequent publications planned.

Previous publication and dissemination plan:
Planned publications in high-impact journals. The researchers expect to publish the first reports during 2025, and a study protocol during 2021. The current study protocols and statistical plans are currently only available in Swedish.
IPD sharing planAll data will not be available on request (for example personal data will not be available to preserve anonymity) due to, for example, GDPR limitations and ethical consent that states that data needs to be anonymised and aggregated for sharing. The researchers will share aggregated data upon request given that necessary agreements can be obtained and national and institutional legal requirements are met. The investigator to contact for this is Prof. Karin Ekström Smedby (karin.ekstrom.smedby@ki.se).

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Participant information sheet 06/04/2021 No Yes
Other publications proof-of-concept study 02/06/2023 06/11/2023 Yes No
Protocol article feasibility and first results 06/07/2023 06/11/2023 Yes No

Additional files

ISRCTN12948913_PIS.docx
Uploaded 06/04/2021

Editorial Notes

18/09/2024: The following changes were made:
1. The overall study end date was changed from 01/02/2026 to 01/02/2030.
2. The intention to publish date was changed from 31/12/2025 to 31/12/2027.
3. The publication and dissemination plan was updated.
06/11/2023: Publication references added.
06/04/2021: The participant information sheet has been uploaded.
25/03/2021: Trial's existence confirmed by the regional ethics board Stockholm.