[Preliminary observation of the combination of arsenic trioxide and all-trans retinoic acid for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the efficacy and side effect of the all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)) combination in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).


METHODS
Twenty APL patients were treated with the ATRA and As(2)O(3) combination, and 18 of them could be evaluated. The treatment protocol was as following: 10 mg As(2)O(3) (0.1% solution) in 500 ml 50 g/L glucose solution for intravenous drip over 4 to 6 hours once a day, ATRA was given 25 mg/m(2) every day.


RESULTS
Seventeen of the 18 patients achieved complete remission (CR), the CR rate was 94.4%. All 14 newly diagnosed patients and 3 of 4 relapsed patients achieved CR. No significant side effect was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The As(2)O(3) and ATRA in the treatment of APL can obtain a higher CR rate and a shorter duration for achieving CR.
Zhao
Yao-zhong
YZ
Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, CAMS and PUMC, Tianjin 300020, China.
Li
Hong-qiang
HQ
Li
Da-peng
DP
Li
Rui
R
Qi
Jun-yuan
JY
Wan
Chang-chun
CC
Zhou
Chun-lin
CL
Wang
Zhi-qiang
ZQ
Qian
Lin-sheng
LS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015473:Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010087:Oxides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D012074:Remission Induction; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
D001152:Arsenicals; D010087:Oxides; D014212:Tretinoin; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide