after joining the study, a baseline visit is scheduled. during this visit, medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and imaging scans are performed to document the status of follicular lymphoma.

the information collected serves as a reference point for later comparisons of treatment effect.

based on the study design, each participant is assigned either to the mk-1045 plus rituximab arm or to the physician’s choice chemotherapy plus rituximab arm.

the assignment is made by the study team and cannot be influenced by the participant.

participants in the test arm receive an intravenous infusion of mk-1045 (provided as a solution for infusion) together with an intravenous infusion of rituximab (also a solution for infusion).

the exact dose of each drug is defined by the study protocol; the infusion is given under medical supervision and may be repeated in cycles according to the schedule established by the investigators.

infusion details such as rate and duration are controlled by the clinical staff to ensure safety.

participants assigned to the comparator arm receive intravenous chemotherapy drugs together with rituximab.

the chemotherapy agents and their doses are:

cyclophosphamide: 750 mg/m2 (milligrams per square meter of body surface area) given by infusion,

doxorubicin: 50 mg/m2 given by infusion,

bendamustine: 90 mg/m2 given by infusion,

vinorelbine (listed as vincristine in the source): 1.4 mg/m2 given by infusion,

prednisolone (or prednisolone equivalent): 40 mg/m2 taken orally.

each drug is administered according to the study schedule, typically in repeated cycles.

throughout the treatment period, participants attend scheduled clinic visits for safety monitoring.

laboratory tests (blood counts, chemistry panels), vital‑sign checks, and additional imaging are performed to detect adverse events and to evaluate disease response.

any side effects are recorded and reported to the study investigators.

at predefined intervals, imaging studies are reviewed using the Lugano response criteria to determine whether a complete response, partial response, or disease progression has occurred.

the primary efficacy endpoint for part 1 is the complete response rate; for part 2 the endpoint is progression‑free survival.

after the final scheduled cycle of either mk-1045 plus rituximab or chemotherapy plus rituximab, a final treatment assessment is performed.

this includes a full set of laboratory tests, imaging, and documentation of any adverse events that led to discontinuation of study medication.

following the end of treatment, participants enter a follow‑up period during which periodic visits are scheduled to monitor for disease recurrence and overall survival.

follow‑up assessments continue for up to 30 months, as the study evaluates the durability of complete responses and overall survival outcomes.

quality‑of‑life questionnaires may be completed at these visits to assess functional status.