title: [Preliminary observation of the combination of arsenic trioxide and all-trans retinoic acid for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, CAMS and PUMC, Tianjin 300020, China.
authors.forename: Yao-zhong
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Hong-qiang
authors.initials: HQ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Da-peng
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jun-yuan
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.forename: Chang-chun
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: Chun-lin
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Zhi-qiang
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Lin-sheng
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Qian
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D001152:Arsenicals; D010087:Oxides; D014212:Tretinoin; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide