Differentiation therapy in acute promyelocytic leukemia: European experience.
Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a subset of acute myeloid leukemia characterized by the morphology of the blast cells (M3 type in the FAB nomenclature), and a specific t(15; 17) translocation. APL was further characterized by a specific sensitivity to all-trans retinoic acid's differentiation effect and the production of a fusion gene altering the gene of RAR alpha and a gene called PML. In vivo differentiation therapy with retinoids in APL patients reduces the risk of relapse and increases the chance of long-term survival.
Degos
L
L
Institut d'Hématologie, Hopital Saint Louis, Paris, France.
D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D015473:Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014212:Tretinoin