Juan Garcia

Prolonged survival of patients with angioimmunoblastic T‐cell lymphoma after high‐dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation. The GELTAMO experience

Objectives:  Angioimmunoblastic T‐cell lymphoma (AIL) is a rare lymphoma with a poor prognosis and no standard treatment. Here, we report our experiences with 19 patients treated with high‐dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (HDC/ASCT) within the GELTAMO co‐operative group between 1992 and 2004.

Primary mediastinal large cell lymphoma (PMBL): frontline treatment with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). The GEL‐TAMO experience

Given the excellent results obtained with present new induction regimens in PMBL, the role of frontline ASCT is controversial. We present 71 patients with PMBL receiving induction chemotherapy, followed by ASCT as frontline therapy from the GEL‐TAMO registry. Most patients presented with high‐risk clinical features. At transplant, 49% of patients were in CR, 32% in PR and 18% failed induction therapy; 53% received radiotherapy. After the transplant 75% of patients achieved CR. With a median follow‐up of 52.5 months, the OS, PFS and DFS at 4 years from diagnosis were, respectively, 84%, 81% and 81% for the first CR patients and 49%, 42% and 82% for the induction failure (PR and refractory) patients. Disease progression was the main cause of death (79%). By multivariate survival analysis the tumour score, refractory disease at transplant and radiotherapy were independent variables associated with OS and PFS. Our experience, with a prolonged follow‐up, shows that patients with PMBL presenting at diagnosis with high‐risk features or PR response to induction therapy have an encouraging survival with frontline ASCT. However, patients who received the transplant after failing the induction regimen have a very poor prognosis and should be tested with other innovative approaches. Finally, only a randomized trial could prove the value of ASCT as frontline therapy and also must be considered that addition to Rituximab to induction treatments could make ASCT unnecessary. Copyright

Molecular Monitoring of Imatinib in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients in Complete Cytogenetic Remission: Does Achievement of a Stable Major Molecular Response at any Time Point Identify a Privileged Group of Patients? A Multicenter Experience in Argentina and Uruguay

BACKGROUND Monitoring minimal residual disease (MRD) by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients is mandatory in the era of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Achieving a major molecular response (MMR) at 12 and 18 months predicts a better progression and event-free survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS The objective of this prospective, multicentric study was to evaluate MRD by standardized RT-PCR in 178 patients with chronic-phase CML who were treated with imatinib at different institutions in Argentina and Uruguay and to determine if achievement of a stable MMR (BCR-ABL transcript levels < 0.1%) identifies a low-risk cytogenetic relapse group. The median age of the patients was 50 years, and 55% of them had received imatinib as first-line therapy. BCR-ABL transcript levels were measured after achievement of complete cytogenetic remission (CCyR) and at 6-month intervals. RESULTS MMR was detected in 44% patients at the start of the study. This value increased to 79% at month 36 of evaluation. Complete molecular response (CMR) also increased from 24% to 52% of patients. Not achieving a stable MMR determined a higher risk of cytogenetic relapse (9% of MMR patients not achieving an MMR vs. 1% of patients who achieved MMR). Patients with sustained MMR had a significantly better cytogenetic relapse-free survival at 48 months (97% vs. 87%; P = .008) but showed no differences in overall survival. Patients who did not remain in CCyR changed treatment. CONCLUSIONS A stable MMR is a strong predictor for a durable CCyR. Standardized molecular monitoring could replace cytogenetic analysis once CCyR is obtained. These results emphasize the validity and feasibility of molecular monitoring in all standardized medical centers of the world.

Mass production of low-cost screen-printed bifacial N-type Si solar cells with BBr 3 -diffused front emitter and ion-implanted back surface field

Formation of boron (B) emitter and phosphorus back surface field (BSF) is a major challenge in mass production of low-cost and high efficiency n-type Si solar cells. This paper reports on the successful mass production of industrially cost-effective 239cm2 n-type Si solar cells. Conventional BBr3 thermal diffusion formed a heavily B-doped emitter, and the phosphorus BSF was formed by ion-implantation followed an annealing, which simultaneously provides dopant activation and SiO2 growth. For metallization, a conventional screen-printing technique was utilized. This process flow in industrial mass production yielded a median efficiency 20.2% from ~6,000 cells. The champion cell had an efficiency of 20.73% with a Voc of 638mV, JSc of 39.49mA/cm2, and FF of 82.28%.