[Ailing No. I in treating 62 cases of acute promyelocytic leukemia].
OBJECTIVE
To obtain further knowledge on the effect, mechanism and toxic side-effect of Ailing No. I (AL), a preparation of As2O3, in treating acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).


METHODS
AL was used in induction and consolidation treatment of 62 cases of APL, the effect of treatment and the changes of clinical symptoms, peripheral blood and bone marrow pictures, T-lymphocyte subset, and immunofunctions of patients after treatment were observed.


RESULTS
Twenty-seven cases out of the 31 patients who received induction treatment got complete remission (CR), the CR rate being 87.1%. Of the 31 cases who received consolidation treatment, the longest remission period was 37 months, and 7 cases relapsed within one month to 2 years. Peripheral white blood cell count raised after one week but lowered after 4 weeks of induction treatment, but in receiving consolidation treatment, it started to lower after one week and raised after 4 weeks of treatment. No obvious change on hemoglobin level was observed. Platelet count significantly increased after treatment. The treatment showed no obvious inhibition on bone marrow. The T-lymphocyte subsets and immunoglobulin level were changed insignificantly after treatment. Various side-effects were shown clinically, particularly those digestive tract involved symptoms were prominent, and liver damage was shown in a certain degree.


CONCLUSIONS
AL has good and protracted effect in treating APL with high CR rate, the mechanism may be related with its cytotoxicity and action of differentiation induction.
Hu
X
X
Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of TCM, Beijing, China.
Ma
L
L
Hu
N
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015473:Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010087:Oxides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001152:Arsenicals; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D010087:Oxides; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide