avelumab + rituximab + bendamustine

**Avelumab + rituximab + bendamustine** is a triple-drug combination regimen tested for relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). - **Avelumab** is a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), acting as an immune checkpoint inhibitor, and is developed primarily as an immunotherapy for cancer. - **Rituximab** is a monoclonal antibody that targets the CD20 antigen on B lymphocytes, resulting in B-cell depletion; it is classified as a targeted immunotherapy used for various B-cell malignancies. - **Bendamustine** is an alkylating chemotherapeutic agent causing DNA crosslinking and cell death, primarily used in hematologic cancers. This combination was studied in the phase Ib JAVELIN DLBCL trial (arm C), aiming to augment antitumor immunity with the checkpoint inhibition of avelumab and the cytotoxic effects of bendamustine/rituximab[1]. The regimen showed a manageable safety profile with some complete responses, although patient recruitment was limited and the study was discontinued before full evaluation[1]. The individual agents have well-documented mechanisms, but clinical benefit from the triplet has not been definitively established beyond existing bendamustine + rituximab data[1].