title: Prolonged survival of patients with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma after high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation: the GELTAMO experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  The median age at transplantation was 46 yr. Fifteen patients underwent the procedure as front-line therapy and four patients as salvage therapy. Most patients received peripheral stem cells (90%) coupled with BEAM or BEAC as conditioning regimen (79%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A 79% of patients achieved complete response, 5% partial response and 16% failed the procedure. After a median follow-up of 25 months, eight patients died (seven of progressive disease and secondary neoplasia), while actuarial overall survival and progression-free survival at 3 yr was 60% and 55%. Prognostic factors associated with a poor outcome included bone marrow involvement, transplantation in refractory disease state, attributing more than one factor of the age-adjusted-International Prognostic Index, Pretransplant peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) Score or Prognostic Index for PTCL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  More than half of the patients with AIL that display unfavourable prognostic factors at diagnosis or relapse would be expected to be alive and disease-free after 3 yr when treated with HDC/ASCT. Patients who are transplanted in a refractory disease state do not benefit from this procedure.
authors: Hospital Universitario Son Dureta, Palma de Mallorca, Spain. jrodriguez@hsd.es
authors: José
authors: J
authors: Rodríguez
authors: Eulogio
authors: E
authors: Conde
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Gutiérrez
authors: Reyes
authors: R
authors: Arranz
authors: Marcos
authors: M
authors: Gandarillas
authors: Angel
authors: A
authors: Leon
authors: Jesus
authors: J
authors: Ojanguren
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Sureda
authors: Dolores
authors: D
authors: Carrera
authors: Mauricio
authors: M
authors: Bendandi
authors: Jose
authors: J
authors: Moraleda
authors: Jose Maria
authors: JM
authors: Ribera
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: Albo
authors: Alfonso
authors: A
authors: Morales
authors: Juan Carlos
authors: JC
authors: García
authors: Pascual
authors: P
authors: Fernández
authors: Guillermo
authors: G
authors: Cañigral
authors: Juan
authors: J
authors: Bergua
authors: María Dolores
authors: MD
authors: Caballero
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018450:Disease Progression; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007119:Immunoblastic Lymphadenopathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D016411:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012042:Registries; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013030:Spain; D015996:Survival Rate; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome