[An analysis of the therapeutic effects and reactions in treating acute promyelocytic leukemia with intravenous arsenic trioxide or all-trans retinoic acid].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the therapeutic effects and reactions of intra venous arsenic trioxide and all-trans retinoic acid in treating patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).


METHODS
75 cases of APL were randomized either to arsenic trioxide (37) or to all-trans retinoic acid (38). The rates of complete remission (CR), disease free survival (DFS) and side effects were observed.


RESULTS
In the two groups of patients with APL, the rate of CR was 86.4% and 84.2%. There was also no significant difference in the rate of DSF phase of CR (P > 0.05). The side effects of these two medications in therapeutic dose were mild and there was no cross resistance between them.


CONCLUSIONS
Arsenic trioxide can lead to apoptosis of leukemic cells and might be a new promising drug to induce differentiation.
Zhang
X
X
The Institute of Hematology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001.
Yang
L
L
Qiao
Z
Z
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015473:Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010087:Oxides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001152:Arsenicals; D010087:Oxides; D014212:Tretinoin; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide