title: Arsenic derivatives in hematologic malignancies: a role beyond acute promyelocytic leukemia?
abstract: The importance of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) has been underscored over the last decade due to its efficacy against acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), a disease in which this agent has been associated with complete hematologic and molecular remission rates of 87% and 83%, respectively. The different molecular mechanisms of action of As2O3 suggest its applicability in hematologic malignancies other than APL. However, responses obtained thus far have consisted of improvements in signs and symptoms without the elimination of a given disease. Toxicities derived from As2O3 are significant but manageable and reversible. However, the risk/benefit ratio of As2O3 in hematologic malignancies other than APL is still unclear. The development of new generations of orally bioavailable inorganic, as well as new organic, arsenic compounds with improved toxicity profiles may bolster the therapeutic application of arsenic derivatives in hematologic malignancies such as leukemia, multiple myeloma and myelodysplastic syndromes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Leukemia, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77230-1402, USA. sverstov@mdanderson.org
authors.forename: Srdan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Verstovsek
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giles
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quintás-Cardama
authors.forename: Nichole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.forename: Farhad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ravandi-Kashani
authors.forename: Miloslav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beran
authors.forename: Emil
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Freireich
authors.forename: Hagop
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kantarjian
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D015473:Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D010087:Oxides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012074:Remission Induction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001152:Arsenicals; D010087:Oxides; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide