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Professor Maher Gandhi
Professor

Maher Gandhi

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Overview

Background

Maher Gandhi received his medical degree in the UK in 1989, and then trained as a haematologist, including a Fellowship in malignant haematology at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto. He was awarded a PhD in immunology at Cambridge University under Patrick Sissons. He moved to Brisbane and from 2003-2024 worked as a Senior Staff Specialist (Pre-Eminent Status) in the Haematology / Oncology Department of the Princess Alexandra Hospital. He leads his own laboratory group and has established an international reputation studying the tumour immune microenvironment in lymphoma and its manipulation, with continuous NHMRC/MRFF funding since 2005. He was Chair of Laboratory Sciences for the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group between 2010-2016, won the prestigious Australian Society of Medical Research Clinical Research Award in 2010 and in 2012 took up the inaugural John McCaffrey Cancer Council of Queensland / Office of Health and Medical Research Clinical Research Fellowship. Between 2011-2014 he was privileged to serve as Chair of the Metro South Human Research Ethics Committee. In 2013 he was appointed Professor of Experimental Haematology, University of Queensland, based at the Translational Research Institute, in 2014 became the inaugural Leukaemia Foundation Chair of Blood Cancer Research at the University of Queensland Frazer Institute, and was appointed Cancer Program Head in 2016. In 2018 he became Executive Director and Director of Clinical Research at Mater Research. He also continues to head the Blood Cancer Research Group, which is based in Mater Research. In 2025 to current, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Translational Research Institute and its manufacturing branch TM@TRI, to serve Queenslanders by transforming health through collaborative research.

Availability

Professor Maher Gandhi is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Medicine Surgery, University of Aberdeen
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Cambridge

Research interests

  • Lymphoma

  • Immunotherapy

  • Biomarkers

Research impacts

The research of the Blood Cancer Research Laboratory aims to understand the basis of lymphoma; to devise new treatments which are less toxic and more effective; to establish new biomarkers which will help determine the most effective treatment strategies and to monitor response and relapse and understand the development of lymphomas. The group has a strong emphasis on patient material, which it obtains from international and national clinical collaborators. Lymphomas studied includeEBV-associated lymphomas, Hodgkin Lymphoma, PTLD, Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma, Follicular Lymphoma and amyloidosis. We utilise a broad range of approaches including genomics, transcriptomics and functional immunoassays, and are conducting a number of MRFF funded cellular therapy studies sponsored by the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group.

The Mater Foundation, the Leukaemia Foundation, the Mark Coghlan EBV Lymphoma Project and the Brisbane Girls Grammar School Kirsten Jack Memorial Fund are thanked for their kind support.

Works

Search Professor Maher Gandhi’s works on UQ eSpace

217 works between 1993 and 2024

1 - 20 of 217 works

2024

Journal Article

Adjuvant rituximab and elevated intratumoural CD8 expression are associated with sustained disease control after radiotherapy in a randomised trial of systemic therapy in early-stage follicular lymphoma

MacManus, Michael P., Seymour, John F., Tsang, Hennes, Fisher, Richard, Keane, Colm, Sabdia, Muhammed B., Law, Soi C., Gunawardana, Jay, Nath, Karthik, Kazakoff, Stephen H., Marques-Piubelli, Mario L., Duenas, Daniela E., Green, Michael R., Roos, Daniel, O'Brien, Peter, McCann, Andrew, Tsang, Richard, Davis, Sidney, Christie, David, Cheah, Chan, Amanuel, Benhur, Cochrane, Tara, Butler, Jason, Johnston, Anna, Shanavas, Mohamed, Li, Li, Vajdic, Claire, Kridel, Robert, Shelton, Victoria ... Tobin, Joshua W.D. (2024). Adjuvant rituximab and elevated intratumoural CD8 expression are associated with sustained disease control after radiotherapy in a randomised trial of systemic therapy in early-stage follicular lymphoma. eBioMedicine, 110 105468, 105468. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105468

Adjuvant rituximab and elevated intratumoural CD8 expression are associated with sustained disease control after radiotherapy in a randomised trial of systemic therapy in early-stage follicular lymphoma

2024

Journal Article

Ibrutinib plus rituximab and mini-CHOP in older patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL: a phase 2 ALLG study

Verner, Emma, Johnston, Amanda, Pati, Nalini, Hawkes, Eliza A., Lee, Hui-Peng, Cochrane, Tara, Cheah, Chan Yoon, Filshie, Robin, Purtill, Duncan, Sia, Hanlon, Enjeti, Anoop K., Brown, Christina, Murphy, Nicholas, Curnow, Jennifer, Lee, Kenneth, Gandhi, Maher K., Walia, Mannu, Butcher, Belinda E. and Trotman, Judith (2024). Ibrutinib plus rituximab and mini-CHOP in older patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL: a phase 2 ALLG study. Blood Advances, 8 (21), 5674-5682. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2024014035

Ibrutinib plus rituximab and mini-CHOP in older patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL: a phase 2 ALLG study

2024

Conference Publication

Multiomics Analysis of Paired Diagnosis and Relapse DLBCL Biopsies Shows a Reduction in T Cell Infiltration and Function at Relapse

Swain, Fiona, Burgess, Melinda, Kempe, Sarah, Sabdia, Muhammed B., Henden, Andrea S., Wight, Joel, Hawkes, Eliza A., Mutsando, Howard, Talaulikar, Dipti, Merida de Long, Lilia, Birch, Simone, Wyche, Penelope, Hawula, Zachary, Chowdhury, Rakin, Gandhi, Maher K. and Keane, Colm (2024). Multiomics Analysis of Paired Diagnosis and Relapse DLBCL Biopsies Shows a Reduction in T Cell Infiltration and Function at Relapse. 66th ASH Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA United States, 7-10 December 2024. Washington, DC United States: American Society of Hematology. doi: 10.1182/blood-2024-199352

Multiomics Analysis of Paired Diagnosis and Relapse DLBCL Biopsies Shows a Reduction in T Cell Infiltration and Function at Relapse

2024

Journal Article

The Post-transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorders—Metagenomic Shotgun Microbial Sequencing (PTLD-MSMS) Study Methods and Protocol

Dharnidharka, Vikas R., Wylie, Kristine M., Wylie, Todd N., Ruzinova, Marianna B., Goss, Charles W., Storch, Gregory A., Mehta-Shah, Neha, Byers, Derek, Walther, Leslie, Jaza, Lujain, Gu, Hongjie, Agarwal, Mansi, Green, Michael, Moore, Erika, Swerdlow, Steven H., Silveira, Fernanda, Marks, Lianna J., Gratzinger, Dita, Bagg, Adam, Law, Soi Cheng and Gandhi, Maher (2024). The Post-transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorders—Metagenomic Shotgun Microbial Sequencing (PTLD-MSMS) Study Methods and Protocol. Transplantation Direct, 10 (11) e1723, e1723. doi: 10.1097/txd.0000000000001723

The Post-transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorders—Metagenomic Shotgun Microbial Sequencing (PTLD-MSMS) Study Methods and Protocol

2024

Journal Article

Systemic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma involving the central nervous system have high rates of defective antigen presentation and immune surveillance

Wight, Joel, Blombery, Piers, Lickiss, Jennifer, Burgess, Melinda, Gould, Clare, Minson, Adrian, Swain, Fiona, Sabdia, Muhammed B., Gandhi, Maher K., Birchley, Andrew, Keane, Colm and Hawkes, Eliza A. (2024). Systemic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma involving the central nervous system have high rates of defective antigen presentation and immune surveillance. Haematologica, 109 (9), 3013-3018. doi: 10.3324/haematol.2023.284600

Systemic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma involving the central nervous system have high rates of defective antigen presentation and immune surveillance

2024

Journal Article

Intra‐tumoral and peripheral blood <scp>TIGIT</scp> and <scp>PD</scp>‐1 as immune biomarkers in nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma

Gunawardana, Jay, Law, Soi C., Sabdia, Muhammed B., Fennell, Éanna, Hennessy, Aoife, Leahy, Ciara I., Murray, Paul G., Bednarska, Karolina, Brosda, Sandra, Trotman, Judith, Berkahn, Leanne, Zaharia, Andreea, Birch, Simone, Burgess, Melinda, Talaulikar, Dipti, Lee, Justina N., Jude, Emily, Hawkes, Eliza A., Jain, Sanjiv, Nath, Karthik, Snell, Cameron, Swain, Fiona, Tobin, Joshua W. D., Keane, Colm, Shanavas, Mohamed, Blyth, Emily, Steidl, Christian, Savage, Kerry, Farinha, Pedro ... Gandhi, Maher K. (2024). Intra‐tumoral and peripheral blood TIGIT and PD‐1 as immune biomarkers in nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma. American Journal of Hematology, 99 (11), 2096-2107. doi: 10.1002/ajh.27459

Intra‐tumoral and peripheral blood <scp>TIGIT</scp> and <scp>PD</scp>‐1 as immune biomarkers in nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma

2024

Journal Article

Identification of genetic subtypes in follicular lymphoma

Shelton, Victoria, Detroja, Rajesh, Liu, Ting, Isaev, Keren, Silva, Anjali, Passerini, Verena, Bakhtiari, Mehran, Calvente, Lourdes, Hong, Michael, He, Michael Y., Modi, Saloni, Hershenfeld, Samantha A., Ludvigsen, Maja, Madsen, Charlotte, Hamilton-Dutoit, Stephen, d’Amore, Francesco Annibale, Brodtkorb, Marianne, Johnson, Nathalie A., Baetz, Tara, LeBrun, David, Tobin, Josh W. D., Gandhi, Maher K., Mungall, Andrew J., Xu, Wei, Ben-Neriah, Susana, Steidl, Christian, Delabie, Jan, Tremblay-LeMay, Rosemarie, Jegede, Opeyemi ... Kridel, Robert (2024). Identification of genetic subtypes in follicular lymphoma. Blood Cancer Journal, 14 (1) 128, 128. doi: 10.1038/s41408-024-01111-w

Identification of genetic subtypes in follicular lymphoma

2024

Journal Article

Harnessing the cytotoxic granule exocytosis to augment the efficacy of T-cell-engaging bispecific antibody therapy

Casey, Mika, Lee, Carol, Hoyte, Sharon M., Johnston, Rebecca L., Kwok, Wing Yu, Law, Soi Cheng, Gandhi, Maher K., Harrison, Simon J. and Nakamura, Kyohei (2024). Harnessing the cytotoxic granule exocytosis to augment the efficacy of T-cell-engaging bispecific antibody therapy. Haematologica, 109 (7), 2131-2143. doi: 10.3324/haematol.2023.284435

Harnessing the cytotoxic granule exocytosis to augment the efficacy of T-cell-engaging bispecific antibody therapy

2024

Journal Article

Epstein–Barr virus‐associated lymphomas decoded

Bednarska, Karolina, Chowdhury, Rakin, Tobin, Joshua W. D., Swain, Fiona, Keane, Colm, Boyle, Stephen, Khanna, Rajiv and Gandhi, Maher K. (2024). Epstein–Barr virus‐associated lymphomas decoded. British Journal of Haematology, 204 (2), 415-433. doi: 10.1111/bjh.19255

Epstein–Barr virus‐associated lymphomas decoded

2024

Journal Article

EBNA2: a viral maestra conducting a symphony orchestra

Gandhi, Maher K. and Kelly, Gemma L. (2024). EBNA2: a viral maestra conducting a symphony orchestra. Blood, 143 (5), 384-385. doi: 10.1182/blood.2023022744

EBNA2: a viral maestra conducting a symphony orchestra

2024

Journal Article

EBV-infected hematopoietic stem cells drive CAEBV

Khanna, Rajiv and Gandhi, Maher K. (2024). EBV-infected hematopoietic stem cells drive CAEBV. Blood, 143 (1), 2-4. doi: 10.1182/blood.2023022739

EBV-infected hematopoietic stem cells drive CAEBV

2024

Journal Article

The IRE1α endonuclease plays a dual role in regulating the XBP1/miRNA-34a axis and PD-1 Expression within natural killer cells in Hodgkin lymphoma

Bednarska, Karolina, Thillaiyampalam, Gayathri, Mujaj, Sally, Nourse, Jamie, Gunawardana, Jay, Sabdia, Muhammed B., Law, Soi C., Pilaar, Anna, Cui, Qingyan, de Long, Lilia M., Vari, Frank, Gandhi, Maher K. and Cristino, Alexandre S. (2024). The IRE1α endonuclease plays a dual role in regulating the XBP1/miRNA-34a axis and PD-1 Expression within natural killer cells in Hodgkin lymphoma. Acta Haematologica, 147 (6), 1-16. doi: 10.1159/000536044

The IRE1α endonuclease plays a dual role in regulating the XBP1/miRNA-34a axis and PD-1 Expression within natural killer cells in Hodgkin lymphoma

2024

Journal Article

Single gene mutations and prognosis in limited-stage follicular lymphoma treated with radiation therapy

Hershenfeld, Samantha A., Tobin, Josuha W.D., Shelton, Victoria, Calvente, Lourdes, Lajkosz, Katherine, Liu, Ting, Brodtkorb, Marianne, d'Amore, Francesco Annibale, Ludvigsen, Maja, Baetz, Tara, LeBrun, David, Johnson, Nathalie, Crump, Michael, Hong, Michael, Kuruvilla, John, Tremblay-LeMay, Rosemarie, MacManus, Michael, Tsang, Richard, Hodgson, David C., Gandhi, Maher K. and Kridel, Robert (2024). Single gene mutations and prognosis in limited-stage follicular lymphoma treated with radiation therapy. British Journal of Haematology, 205 (5), 1810-1814. doi: 10.1111/bjh.19698

Single gene mutations and prognosis in limited-stage follicular lymphoma treated with radiation therapy

2023

Conference Publication

High Frequency of HLA-Class II B Cell Receptor Neoantigens in IGHV Mutated-CLL

Sabdia, Muhammed B., Burgess, Melinda, Law, Soi Cheng, Thurgood, Lauren A., Kazakoff, Stephen, Swain, Fiona, Tobin, Joshua W.D., Mollee, Peter, Patch, Ann-Marie and Gandhi, Maher K (2023). High Frequency of HLA-Class II B Cell Receptor Neoantigens in IGHV Mutated-CLL. 65th ASH Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA United States, 9-12 December 2023. Washington, DC United States: American Society of Hematology. doi: 10.1182/blood-2023-174149

High Frequency of HLA-Class II B Cell Receptor Neoantigens in IGHV Mutated-CLL

2023

Journal Article

Genome-wide transcription factor binding maps reveal cell-specific changes in the regulatory architecture of human HSPC

Subramanian, Shruthi, Thoms, Julie A I, Huang, Yizhou, Cornejo Paramo, Carina Paola, Koch, Forrest Charles, Jacquelin, Sebastien, Shen, Sylvie, Song, Emma, Joshi, Swapna, Brownlee, Christopher Peter, Woll, Petter S., Chacon-Fajardo, Diego, Beck, Dominik, Curtis, David J, Yehson, Kenneth, Antonenas, Vicki, O'Brien, Tracey, Trickett, Annette, Powell, Jason A., Lewis, Ian D, Pitson, Stuart M, Gandhi, Maher K., Lane, Steven W, Vafaee, Fatemeh, Wong, Emily, Gottgens, Berthold, Rokny, Hamid, Wong, Jason Wing Hon and Pimanda, John E (2023). Genome-wide transcription factor binding maps reveal cell-specific changes in the regulatory architecture of human HSPC. Blood Journal, 142 (17), 1448-1462. doi: 10.1182/blood.2023021120

Genome-wide transcription factor binding maps reveal cell-specific changes in the regulatory architecture of human HSPC

2023

Journal Article

Regulatory T cells hamper the efficacy of T-cell engaging bispecific antibody therapy

Casey, Mika, Lee, Carol, Kwok, Wing Yu, Law, Soi Cheng, Corvino, Dillon, Gandhi, Maher K., Harrison, Simon J. and Nakamura, Kyohei (2023). Regulatory T cells hamper the efficacy of T-cell engaging bispecific antibody therapy. Haematologica, 109 (3), 787-798. doi: 10.3324/haematol.2023.283758

Regulatory T cells hamper the efficacy of T-cell engaging bispecific antibody therapy

2023

Conference Publication

Final Analysis Of Australasian Leukaemia &amp; Lymphoma Group NHL29: A Phase II Study Of Ibrutinib, Rituximab And Mini-chop In Very Elderly Patients With Newly Diagnosed DLBCL

Verner, Emma, Johnston, Amanda, Pati, Nalini, Hawkes, Eliza, Peng Lee, Hui, Cochrane, Tara, Yoon Cheah, Chan, Filshie, Robin, Purtill, Duncan, Sia, Hanlon, Enjeti, Anoop K, Brown, Christina, Murphy, Nicholas, Curnow, Jennifer, Lee, Kenneth, Gandhi, Maher, Butcher, Belinda and Trotman, Judith (2023). Final Analysis Of Australasian Leukaemia &amp; Lymphoma Group NHL29: A Phase II Study Of Ibrutinib, Rituximab And Mini-chop In Very Elderly Patients With Newly Diagnosed DLBCL. EHA2023, Online, 8 - 15 June 2023. Philadelphia, PA United States: Wolters Kluwer. doi: 10.1097/01.hs9.0000971404.12997.4b

Final Analysis Of Australasian Leukaemia &amp; Lymphoma Group NHL29: A Phase II Study Of Ibrutinib, Rituximab And Mini-chop In Very Elderly Patients With Newly Diagnosed DLBCL

2023

Journal Article

Expanding the bacterial origins of nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma

Gandhi, Maher K. and Keane, Colm (2023). Expanding the bacterial origins of nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma. Haematologica, 108 (12), 3195-3196. doi: 10.3324/haematol.2023.283392

Expanding the bacterial origins of nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma

2023

Conference Publication

Rituximab‐containing combined modality therapy in limited stage follicular lymphoma: mature follow up and derivation of a novel prognostic score from the TROG99.03 trial

Tobin, J. W., Jurinovic, V., Tsang, H., Roos, D., Tsang, R., Macann, A., Davis, S., Christie, D., Law, S., Nath, K., Sabdia, M., Patch, A. M., Gunawardana, J., Merida de Long, L., Hoster, E., Horn, H., Shanavas, M., Li, L., Cheah, C., Benhur, A., Hou, M., O'Brien, P., Johnston, A. M., Cochrane, T., Butler, J., Thompson, E., Blombery, P., Seymour, J. F., Gandhi, M. K. and MacManus, M. (2023). Rituximab‐containing combined modality therapy in limited stage follicular lymphoma: mature follow up and derivation of a novel prognostic score from the TROG99.03 trial. 17th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma, Lugano, Switzerland, 13-17 June 2023. Oxford, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/hon.3163_140

Rituximab‐containing combined modality therapy in limited stage follicular lymphoma: mature follow up and derivation of a novel prognostic score from the TROG99.03 trial

2023

Conference Publication

Gene expression and spatial transcriptomic analysis of paired diagnosis and relapse DLBCL biopsies show a reduction in T cell infiltration and function at relapse

Swain, F., Burgess, M., Kempe, S., Sabdia, M., Wight, J., Hawkes, E., Mutsando, H., Talaulikar, D., Merida de Long, L., Hawula, Z., Birch, S., Wyche, P., Gandhi, M. K. and Keane, C. (2023). Gene expression and spatial transcriptomic analysis of paired diagnosis and relapse DLBCL biopsies show a reduction in T cell infiltration and function at relapse. 17th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma, Lugano, Switzerland, 13 - 17 June 2023. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1002/hon.3164_191

Gene expression and spatial transcriptomic analysis of paired diagnosis and relapse DLBCL biopsies show a reduction in T cell infiltration and function at relapse

Funding

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2027
    Personalized immunotherapy for the treatment of light chain amyloidosis
    Snowdome Haematology Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2029
    BrainCAR19 Study- Treatment of relapsed Primary Brain Lymphoma with CD19 directed CAR-T cells
    NHMRC MRFF CTA - Clinical Trials Activity
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Metabolic Reprogramming of Malignant B-cells Impairs Immune-Fitness of Intratumoral T-Cells in Follicular Lymphoma
    Conquer Cancer AstraZeneca Young Investigator Award
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2025
    An Open label, Multicentre, Phase I study of Ibrutinib, Rituximab and EBV specific T-cells in Patients with EBV-positive Primary or Secondary CNS Lymphoma unsuitable for standard therapies
    NHMRC MRFF - Lifting Clinical Trials Registries Capacity
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2020 - 2022
    PiggyBac transposon UCB-CAR19-NK cells: a novel off-the-shelf cellular immunotherapy for children with CD19+ blood cancers
    Children's Hospital Foundation Immunotherapy Research Grants
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Indolent Lymphoma: Establishing a prognostic score fit for the modern era
    The Leukaemia Foundation of Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    A novel immunotherapy strategy for lymphoma using artificial microRNA gene targeting
    Metro South Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    Integrating immunity and genetics in Follicular Lymphoma to establish a prognostic score fit for the modern era
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Pre-clinical studies of anti-LAG3 in lymphoma
    Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Pty Limited
    Open grant
  • 2017
    Improving the evidence base for resource allocation in indolent lymphoma
    Gilead Australia Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    Prognosticator for Follicular lymphoma (FL) and Mantle celly lymphoma (MCL)
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Blood biomarkers in Hodgkin Lymphoma
    PA Research Foundation NHMRC Infrastructure Support
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Marshaling NK-cells in the fight against blood cancers: a novel approach
    PA Research Foundation NHMRC Near Miss Grant
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Funding Assistance for Gandhi laboratory
    Metro South Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Using single-cell transcriptomics to define T-cell tolerance in EBV+ lymphoma
    PA Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2018
    Leukaemia Foundation Queensland Chair in Blood Cancer Research (2014-2019)
    Leukaemia Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Circulating Biomarkers in advanced classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2020
    The Diamantina Individualised Oncology Care Centre (DIOCC)
    Australian Cancer Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Monocytic myeloid derived suppressor cells and antiCD20-antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (Cancer Council Queensland grant administered by PAH)
    Metro South Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Professor Maher Gandhi is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Professor Maher Gandhi directly for media enquiries about:

  • Biomarkers
  • Immunotherapy
  • Lymphoma

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