Screening for hemoglobinopathies in neonates in Argentina.

nificant lengthening of PFS was the result of IFN maintenance therapy, as already reported.10 Our experience, although limited, confirms the efficacy of purine analogs as second line therapy. In agreement with Rai et al.8 the very high projected survival probability of our series can be explained mainly by a two step therapeutic strategy made up of IFN first line therapy and purine analog salvage treatment for IFN resistant patients. Considering on the one hand our results and the reported good outcome of patients receiving IFN first,7,8 and, on the other hand, the high CR rate and the prolonged survival obtained with front line purine analog therapy, the problem of defining a recommended first line therapy for HCL remains unsolved. In conclusion, although the therapeutic emphasis in HCL has recently shifted to 2-CdA and DCF, IFN remains a therapeutic choice for this disease. We confirm that IFN is effective and tolerable and prolonged, reduced dosage administration may produce a long progression free period. We also confirm that achieving CR has no primary relevance in disease control and that good use of therapeutic resources may assure HCL patients a survival which is comparable to that of the normal, healthy population.