The ACCEPT study

This study is open to people aged 16 and older who have been newly diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and have not yet started treatment. Because the trial tests a full course of treatment, you must be well enough to cope with combination chemotherapy and have a tumour that measures at least 15 millimetres so doctors can track changes. You must also be able to swallow capsules whole.

To ensure the treatment is safe for you, your heart, kidneys, and liver must be working reasonably well, and you will have blood tests and heart scans before joining to check this. You cannot take part if you have had a slow-growing (indolent) lymphoma in the past, or if the lymphoma started in your brain, spinal cord, or the centre of your chest (mediastinum). A hospital doctor will go through all the medical criteria with you to confirm if the study is suitable.

If you take part, you will receive standard R-CHOP therapy through a drip in the hospital alongside acalabrutinib, which is taken by mouth as capsules at home. Before starting, the trial team will perform baseline checks, including blood tests, physical exams, a heart scan (such as an echocardiogram), and imaging scans (like a CT or PET scan) to measure your lymphoma.

During treatment, you will attend the hospital regularly for your chemotherapy sessions and safety checks. The study team will closely monitor your blood counts, organ function, and any side effects. Treatment typically lasts several months, matching a standard course of chemotherapy. After treatment finishes, you will have follow-up visits and scans so the team can monitor your recovery and check how long the benefits last.