Genmab's Epcoritamab Shatters Expectations for Elderly Lymphoma Patients

COPENHAGEN, Denmark – June 13, 2026 – In the high-stakes world of oncology, breakthroughs are often measured in incremental gains. But new data from Genmab on its T-cell engaging antibody, epcoritamab, represents a potential leap forward for one of cancer's most challenging patient populations: elderly and comorbid individuals newly diagnosed with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL).

Genmab, in partnership with AbbVie, announced striking results from two separate studies presented at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2026 Congress. The data, simultaneously published in The Lancet Haematology, showcases epcoritamab's profound efficacy both as a standalone therapy and in combination with a gentler chemotherapy regimen. For a patient group often sidelined from curative-intent treatments due to frailty, these findings offer a powerful new current of hope and a significant validation of the company's strategic vision.

Confronting the Geriatric Treatment Gap

Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, the most common form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, is a fast-growing cancer that disproportionately affects older adults. The long-standing gold standard for first-line treatment, a chemotherapy cocktail known as R-CHOP, can be highly effective. However, its toxicity, particularly the heart risks associated with the anthracycline doxorubicin, often renders it unsuitable for patients over 80 or those with significant health complications.

This creates a perilous treatment gap. Oncologists are frequently forced to choose between a less effective, attenuated regimen like R-mini-CHOP or palliative care. The result is consistently inferior outcomes for this growing demographic. "For newly diagnosed elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and comorbidities, who are often excluded from standard curative chemotherapy and ineligible for doxorubicin, finding more options is paramount," said Umberto Vitolo, M.D. of the Candiolo Cancer Institute in Italy, and an investigator on one of the studies.

This is the challenging landscape Genmab's epcoritamab is poised to disrupt. As a subcutaneously administered bispecific antibody, it works by leveraging the body's own immune system, directing T-cells to target and destroy cancerous CD20+ B-cells—a mechanism that promises high efficacy with a different, and potentially more manageable, safety profile than cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Unpacking the Impressive Clinical Data

The results presented at EHA speak for themselves. The Phase 2 EPCORE DLBCL-3 study evaluated epcoritamab as a monotherapy in patients aged 80 or older, or those 75 and older with comorbidities, who were ineligible for standard chemotherapy. In this highly vulnerable group, with a median age of 82.5 years, epcoritamab monotherapy achieved an overall response rate (ORR) of 67% and, critically, a complete response (CR) rate of 58%. The responses were not only deep but also durable, with the median duration of response not yet reached after nearly two years of follow-up.

Perhaps even more striking were the results from the EPCORE NHL-2 study. This trial tested epcoritamab in combination with the dose-attenuated R-mini-CHOP regimen in a similar elderly patient population. The combination yielded a staggering 93% ORR and an 86% CR rate. At the two-year mark, an estimated 82% of patients were still alive, and 76% had not seen their disease progress. These numbers significantly outperform historical results for R-mini-CHOP alone.

"The EPCORE NHL-2 Arm 8 results are very encouraging," commented David Belada, M.D., of Charles University in the Czech Republic. He noted that the high response rates and durable remissions "potentially support the integration of epcoritamab with standard of care for these vulnerable patients."

Beyond the headline response rates, both studies highlighted high rates of minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity—a sophisticated measure indicating the clearance of cancer cells below the level of detection. Achieving MRD negativity is increasingly seen as a key predictor of long-term remission, and its presence here underscores the depth of response epcoritamab can induce.

A Strategic Move in a Competitive Field

These results are more than just a clinical victory; they represent a savvy strategic play by Genmab and AbbVie. While epcoritamab (marketed as EPKINLY/TEPKINLY) is already approved for later-line treatment of lymphoma, this move into the first-line setting for a specific, underserved niche is a calculated step toward establishing it as a foundational therapy across the entire B-cell malignancy landscape.

The DLBCL market is intensely competitive, with CAR T-cell therapies, other bispecific antibodies like glofitamab and mosunetuzumab, and antibody-drug conjugates such as polatuzumab vedotin all vying for position. However, many of these advanced therapies are focused on the relapsed or refractory setting. By targeting a first-line population that cannot tolerate the current standard, Genmab is carving out a crucial space with a significant unmet need and less direct competition.

"Genmab is committed to evaluating epcoritamab as a potential treatment option in earlier lines of therapy for patients who traditionally struggle with aggressive treatment," stated Dr. Judith Klimovsky, Genmab's Chief Development Officer. "The robust data observed...reinforce our vision of making epcoritamab a foundational therapy across the spectrum of B-cell malignancies."

The path forward will require confirmation in larger, randomized Phase 3 trials to secure full regulatory approval for this first-line indication. However, with an ongoing Phase 2 study and a clear development strategy, the company is signaling its long-term commitment. For a population long defined by limited choices and compromised outcomes, the prospect of an effective, tolerable, and readily accessible subcutaneous therapy marks the beginning of a new and profoundly more hopeful era.