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Contemporary Treatment of APL

  • Acute Leukemias (R Stone, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is characterized by coagulopathy, leukopenic presentation and sensitivity to anthracyclines, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO). For the last 25 years, APL has been treated with a combination of ATRA and chemotherapy for induction followed by consolidation and maintenance therapy. This general treatment approach has resulted in cure rates of 80–90 %. ATO, originally approved in relapsed APL, has been incorporated into contemporary upfront treatment regimens with excellent response rates. Recent studies show that most patients with APL can be cured with ATRA and ATO alone, eliminating cytotoxic chemotherapy and resulting in superior outcomes compared to standard treatment. We will herein review historical treatment of APL, treatment considerations in specific patient populations, and therapeutic updates.

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Acknowledgment

The project described was supported by Award Number P30 CA060553 from the National Cancer Institute. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Cancer Institute or the National Institutes of Health.

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Dr. Elizabeth H. Cull declares no potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article.

Dr. Jessica K. Altman is a consultant for Teva Pharmaceuticals, Astellas Pharmaceuticals, BMS, Novartis, and Ariad. Dr. Altman is supported, in part, by a Cancer Center supplement grant.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Cull, E.H., Altman, J.K. Contemporary Treatment of APL. Curr Hematol Malig Rep 9, 193–201 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11899-014-0205-6

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