[Effectiveness of trans-retinoic acid in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia: initial results of a multicenter study].
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) in combination with cytostatic drugs in treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).


METHODS
In a multicenter study APL was treated according to protocols APL 01.97 and APL 06.87 in 28 patients (14 males and 14 females, median age 36 years).


RESULTS
Administration of ATRA in combination with standard program 7 + 3 (cytosine-arabinoside 100 mg/m2 twice a day v.v. day 1-7, daunorubicin 60 mg/m2 v.v. day 1-3) induced a complete remission in 25 patients (90%). Early lethality was 10% (3 patients died). Resistant APL was not registered. Retinoid syndrome was diagnosed in 15 patients, one patient died. 2-year overall and recurrence-free survival made up 72 and 82%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
ATRA combination with cytosine-arabinoside and daunorubicin is a novel treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia providing a high rate of complete remission and long-term survival.
Parovichnikova
E N
EN
Savchenko
V G
VG
Kliasova
G A
GA
Isaev
V G
VG
Demidova
I A
IA
Ol'shanskaia
Iu V
IuV
Tiurina
N G
NG
Tikhonova
L Iu
LIu
Galstian
G M
GM
Pivnik
A V
AV
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003630:Daunorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015473:Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003561:Cytarabine; D014212:Tretinoin; D003630:Daunorubicin