Adding Pirtobrutinib to the Usual Treatment for People With Newly Diagnosed Richter Transformation, The PIRAMID Trial

This phase III trial compares the effect of adding pirtobrutinib to the usual treatment with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP) to R-CHOP alone for the treatment of Richter transformation, which is when chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma turns into large B-cell lymphoma, a more aggressive (faster-growing) form of lymphoma. Pirtobrutinib may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody. It binds to a protein called CD20, which is found on B cells (a type of white blood cell) and some types of cancer cells. This may help the immune system kill cancer cells. Cyclophosphamide is in a class of medications called alkylating agents. It works by damaging the cell's DNA and may kill cancer cells. It may also lower the body's immune response. Doxorubicin is in a class of medications called anthracyclines. Doxorubicin damages the cell's DNA and may kill cancer cells. It also blocks a certain enzyme needed for cell division and DNA repair. Vincristine is in a class of medications called vinca alkaloids. It works by stopping cancer cells from growing and dividing and may kill them. Prednisone is in a class of medications called corticosteroids. It is used to reduce inflammation and lower the body's immune response to help lessen the side effects of chemotherapy drugs. Adding pirtobrutinib to R-CHOP may kill more cancer cells than R-CHOP alone in patients with Richter transformation.