Detection of apoptosis in acute promyelocytic leukemia cells in vivo during differentiation-induction with all-trans retinoic acid in combination with chemotherapy.
In two patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) treated with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in combination with chemotherapy, we demonstrated that cells with apoptotic morphology were recognized in a small fraction of whole blood cells (0.2-0.4%) at the regression phase of leukocytosis with mostly maturing aberrant granulocytes of APL clone origin. Moreover, in a light-density cell fraction ( < 1.077) of peripheral blood or marrow cells obtained from three patients, DNA fragmentation was detected by agarose gel electrophoresis temporarily. These findings may suggest that, during the treatment with ATRA, a small fraction of APL cells maturing toward the stage of terminal differentiation underwent apoptosis in vivo, which might be enriched by the combination of chemotherapy to ATRA administration.
Sato
A
A
Department of Pediatrics, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
Imaizumi
M
M
Saito
T
T
Yoshinari
M
M
Suzuki
H
H
Hayashi
Y
Y
Iinuma
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015473:Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D014212:Tretinoin