title: Acute promyelocytic leukemia: preventing early complications and late toxicities.
abstract: Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a unique subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which presents with a distinct coagulopathy. Therapeutic advances have made APL one of the true success stories in oncology, transforming this once lethal disease into the most curable form of AML. For many patients, cure will now be achieved without the use of chemotherapy. It is hoped that limiting chemotherapy will reduce mortality even further, particularly among more vulnerable older adults whose survival lagged behind that of younger patients. It should be noted that early death persists in patients with APL and continues to negatively affect survival. Further, among survivors treated with chemotherapy or even arsenic trioxide (ATO), there remains the potential for long-term toxicities that must be monitored. Understanding the management of these issues is an important complement to ensure maximal survival for patients with APL.
authors.affiliation: Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Sameem
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abedin
authors.affiliation: Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Jessica K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Altman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D006801:Humans; D015473:Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality*; D010087:Oxides / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D001152:Arsenicals; D010087:Oxides; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide