title: Risk/benefit profile of arsenic trioxide.
abstract: Approximately 20%-30% of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) who are treated with the current standard all-trans retinoic acid and anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimen suffer relapse. In the mid-1990s, studies from China reported the effective use of arsenic trioxide in achieving complete remission in patients with APL. In the United States, a multicenter trial of this agent in 40 patients with relapsed APL following conventional therapy confirmed the positive safety and efficacy outcomes of a smaller 12-patient pilot study. Common adverse events were hyperleukocytosis, APL differentiation syndrome, prolonged QT interval on electrocardiogram, skin rash, and hyperglycemia.
authors.affiliation: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program (Oncology Subspecialty), School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Rust
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Soignet
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D015473:Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D010087:Oxides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001152:Arsenicals; D010087:Oxides; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide