Quantitative analysis of PML-RARα in newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia patients treated with arsenic trioxide as a front-line therapy

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6571-6571
Author(s):  
S. H. Ghaffari ◽  
S. Rostami ◽  
D. Bashash ◽  
K. Alimoghaddam ◽  
A. Ghavamzadeh
Keyword(s):  
Arsenic Trioxide ◽  
Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Transcript Level ◽  
Threshold Level ◽  
Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Front Line ◽  
Line Therapy

6571 Background: Recently, patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) have experienced significant clinical gains after treatment with arsenic trioxide (As2O3). However, the potential role for use of this agent as a front-line therapy for newly diagnosed patients is unclear. Methods: From 95 patients with APL, 85 patients who achieved complete remission (CR) were sequentially evaluated during 4–60 months period of follow-up by conventional RT-PCR. A total of 30 patients (6 relapsed and 24 in continued long remission) were selected and monitored by quantitative real-time PCR (RQ-PCR) assay. Using ‘Hybridization Probes‘ technology, the expression of PML-RARα/G6PDH transcript ratio was analyzed in serial PB samples taken at different courses of disease and the results were compared with the clinical outcome. Results: More than 90% of patients obtained molecular remission, as determined by conventional RT-PCR in 1–3 months after start of arsenic therapy. RQ-PCR analyses showed a rapid rate of clearance of PML-RARα/G6PDH transcript level during the courses of arsenic therapy. In majority of the patients in CR the level of PML-RARα/ G6PDH ratio was always below 5×102 in PB samples. In all the relapsed cases with follow-up intervals of 1–6 months (median 3) clinical relapse was predictable by increasing transcript level above this threshold. Conclusions: Using a sensitive and quantitative method provided valuable information about effectiveness of arsenic as a front-line therapy in the management of newly diagnosed APL. Our study highlights the usefulness of PB and the definition of threshold level for early prediction of relapse. The threshold level correlates well with relapse risk; therefore, transcript ratio below the level should be regarded as a goal in the clinical management of this disease. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

scholarly journals Arsenic Trioxide As a Front-Line Therapy for Newly Diagnosed Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia

Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 4937-4937
Author(s):  
Weihong Chen ◽  
Xin Du ◽  
Jiacai Zhuo
Keyword(s):  
Complete Remission ◽  
Arsenic Trioxide ◽  
Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Fusion Gene ◽  
Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
The Other ◽  
Refractory Disease ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Front Line ◽  
Line Therapy

Abstract PURPOSE: Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is a very effective drug for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). However, little has been reported concerning its use as front-line therapy for complete remission of newly diagnosed APL with t(15;17) chromosomal abnormality. METHODS: The adult patients newly diagnosed with APL with t(15;17) chromosomal abnormality (which would invariably lead to a positive PML/RAR alpha fusion gene) were received 4-5 weeks of ATO administered intravenous drip at a daily dose of 10mg(concentration 2%)/day as induced chemotherapy. When a complete remission was achieved by the ATO induction, a three weeks interval would be observed, after which 5 + 3 days of maintenance (with cytarabine and anthracycline, respectively) would be carried out. A further interval of 2 weeks would then take place, after which all-trans retinoic (ATRA) would be administered oral for another 2 weeks. A final interval of 2 weeks after the administration of ATRA would take place before a recurrence of the chemotherapy regimen, which would restart again with ATO induction. After PML/RAR alpha fusion gene Q-PCR tested negative, the regimen would continue recurring, ensuring negativity of the gene for 2 years. After 2 years the regimen would end, and PML/RAR alpha fusion gene of the patients were to be observed/monitored once every 3-6 months for 10 years. Central nervous system leukemia (CNSL), which might be caused by APL, was to be prevented by lumbar punctures chemotherapy once every 6-8 weeks after complete remission of the patients. Six times were taken. RESULTS: Out of 496 for newly diagnosed APL from 2005 to 2015, we identified 113 patients as newly diagnosed APL. All patients achieved complete response after treatment with ATO induced chemotherapy. Sixty-two out of 65 (95.38%) patients with APL were cured with ATO induction and subsequent 5 + 3 maintenance (cytarabine and anthracycline) therapy from 2005 to 2010. The other three patients were relapsed or had refractory disease and then died. Forty-six out of 48 patients (95.83%) achieved complete cytogenetic remission from 2011 to 2015. The other two patients were relapsed or had refractory disease and then died. All patients had no serious adverse events. Five patients had dyspnea, fever, weight gain, peripheral edema and were successfully treated with dexamethason and furosemide. CONCLUSIONS: Arsenic trioxide is a very effective drug as the front-line therapy for newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Oral Arsenic Trioxide in Front Line Therapy for Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia. A Prospective Costa Rican Study

Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 3838-3838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariela Rodriguez ◽  
Ronald Rojas ◽  
Alejandra Vargas ◽  
Miguel Angel Rodriguez ◽  
Claudia Garcia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Complete Remission ◽  
Arsenic Trioxide ◽  
Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Oral Formulation ◽  
Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Front Line ◽  
Line Therapy ◽  
Grade 3

KEY WORDS: Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia, oral Arsenic Trioxide, ATRA, Front Line Therapy. CONTEXT: Studies showed the combination of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) with Arsenic trioxide (ATO) as an effective treatment of patients with newly diagnosed Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL), permitting a chemotherapy-free treatment approach. Oral formulations of ATO were developed with similar efficacy compared to the IV formulation, and a slightly safer profile. OBJECTIVE:To determine the effectiveness and safety of a locally produced oral ATO with ATRA as a first line therapy in APL. DESIGN:We designed the LPCR05 protocol based on established treatment protocols. Treatment regimen: Induction phase: all patients received ATRA (45 mg/m2 daily) and an locally produced oral formulation of ATO (10 mg daily), with a dose of Idarubicin (12 mg/m2 on days 1,3,5 and 7, if older than 60 years only given on day 1) added only to the high-risk patients. Consolidation Phase: 3 cycles of ATO + ATRA for 30days every 6 weeks. Maintenance Phase: 4 Cycles of ATRA+ATO daily for 15 days every 3 months. Oral formulation for ATO is prepared by the Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Products from our Social Security System according to the literature and approved by local health and pharmaceutical regulators. RESULTS: We report data on our first 26 APL patients enrolled on the LPCR05 protocol. Six patients were classified as high risk, eighteen intermediate and two low risk (Table 1). One high risk patient discontinued after first consolidation because of lost follow up. The median follow up is 12.5 months. Hematological complete remission was obtained after 30 days of treatment in all 26 patients. Molecular complete remission in 22 evaluated patients after first and third consolidation was achieved in 95% and 100% respectively (Table 2). None of the patients have relapsed. There were no withdrawals of the protocol because of side effects and no induction deaths because of coagulopathy. No severe cardiac or neurological toxicity was found. Grade 3 hepatic toxicity was seen in two patients, in both cases, temporary discontinuation of ATRA and ATO resolved the side effect. One patient developed non treatment related grade 3 renal toxicity and other one developed a probably related grade 3 skin toxicity. Severe infectious complications were seen in three patients, two had pneumoniae (one death) and one enteritis (Table 3). Patients are managed in the ambulatory setting, with fewer hospitalizations (mean hospitalization days per patient of 38,1 with ATRA + chemotherapy vs 14,1 with oral ATO and ATRA), and therefore the cost is three times lower (US$65 208 vs US$24 195) than our previous approach with ATRA + chemotherapy protocol. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate both efficacy and safety of oral ATO with ATRA as front line therapy in all risk groups. This strategy also demonstrated lower operational costs, fewer hospitalization days, and improved convenience for patients. We expect longer follow-up will confirm that treatment with oral ATO and ATRA is a curative therapeutic strategy for patients with APL that is particularly attractive for use in low and medium income countries. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Real Life Experience with ATRA-Arsenic Trioxide Based Regimen in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia - Updated Results of the Prospective German Intergroup Napoleon Registry

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 2815-2815
Author(s):  
Uwe Platzbecker ◽  
Eva Lengfelder ◽  
Katharina S Goetze ◽  
Christoph Röllig ◽  
Michael Kramer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arsenic Trioxide ◽  
Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Intermediate Risk ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Front Line ◽  
Line Therapy

Abstract Background: Standard therapy of acute promyelocytic leukemia has long relied on the combination of All-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and chemotherapy. The introduction of arsenic trioxide (ATO) in APL treatment has allowed achievement of similarly high remission and survival rates coupled with significantly reduced myelosuppression. Recent results of the APL0406 trial by the GIMEMA-AMLSG-SAL study groups showed that the combination of ATRA and arsenic trioxide (ATO) is superior to standard ATRA and chemotherapy (CHT) in front-line therapy of low/intermediate risk acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). The implications of these results for the clinical practice of APL patients in Germany have been uncertain given the fact that ATO is not formally licensed for front-line therapy of APL. Aim:In order to provide evidence and a reflection of the clinical reality of APL patient care in Germany an intergroup APL registry (National acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) observational study, NAPOLEON) was recently initiated by several AML study groups. Methods:Eligible patients are adults at least 18 years of age with newly diagnosed or relapsed APL not beyond the first year of diagnosis. Here we report the first analysis on the series of patients prospectively enrolled into this registry. The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, received IRB approval by all participating centers and was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02192619). Results: As of August 1st 2016, 88 patients have been included into the study with a median age of 57 years (range 22-87). All had newly diagnosed APL (100%) with 66% (n=58) being of low/intermediate risk according to the Sanz score. Out of those patients 76% (n=44) received an ATO-ATRA based induction regimen followed by a median of 4 courses of consolidation (according to the APL 0406 study).Of 41 patients evaluable for response to induction, 40/41 (98%) patients achieved complete remission (CR) with the ATRA-ATO arms. Early death rate within 30 days of therapy was 2% (1/44). After a median follow-up of 12 months, the event-free survival, cumulative incidence of relapse and overall survival at 12 months for these patients were 97%, 0% and 97%, respectively. Therapy was well tolerated and no new safety signals have been obtained. Conclusion:These real life data from a prospective German registry provide further evidence for the safety and sustained anti-leukemic efficacy of ATRA-ATO in low/intermediate risk APL. These results further support ATRA-ATO as the new standard of care in this clinical setting. Table Demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics of the eligible patients. Table. Demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics of the eligible patients. Disclosures Platzbecker: TEVA: Honoraria, Research Funding. Greiner:BMS: Research Funding. Thiede:AgenDix: Employment, Other: Ownership. Hochhaus:BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; ARIAD: Honoraria, Research Funding.

Studies on Treatment of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia With Arsenic Trioxide: Remission Induction, Follow-Up, and Molecular Monitoring in 11 Newly Diagnosed and 47 Relapsed Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Patients

Blood ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 94 (10) ◽  
pp. 3315-3324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao Niu ◽  
Hua Yan ◽  
Ting Yu ◽  
Hui-Ping Sun ◽  
Jian-Xiang Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arsenic Trioxide ◽  
Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Remission Induction ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
First Choice ◽  
Wbc Count

Fifty-eight acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients (11 newly diagnosed and 47 relapsed) were studied for arsenic trioxide (As2O3) treatment. Clinical complete remission (CR) was obtained in 8 of 11 (72.7%) newly diagnosed cases. However, As2O3 treatment resulted in hepatic toxicity in 7 cases including 2 deaths, in contrast to the mild liver dysfunction in one third of the relapsed patients. Forty of forty-seven (85.1%) relapsed patients achieved CR. Two of three nonresponders showed clonal evolution at relapse, with disappearance of t(15;17) and PML-RAR fusion gene in 1 and shift to a dominant AML-1-ETO population in another, suggesting a correlation between PML-RAR expression and therapeutic response. In a follow-up of 33 relapsed cases over 7 to 48 months, the estimated disease-free survival (DFS) rates for 1 and 2 years were 63.6% and 41.6%, respectively, and the actual median DFS was 17 months. Patients with white blood cell (WBC) count below 10 × 109/L at relapse had better survival than those with WBC count over 10 × 109/L (P = .038). The duration of As2O3-induced CR was related to postremission therapy, because there was only 2 of 11 relapses in patients treated with As2O3 combined with chemotherapy, compared with 12 of 18 relapses with As2O3 alone (P = .01). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis in both newly diagnosed and relapsed groups showed long-term use of As2O3 could lead to a molecular remission in some patients. We thus recommend that ATRA be used as first choice for remission induction in newly diagnosed APL cases, whereas As2O3 can be either used as a rescue for relapsed cases or included into multidrug consolidation/maintenance clinical trials.

Single Agent Arsenic Trioxide Regimen for the Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: Initial Results of a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Study From India to Study the Optimal Duration of Arsenic Trioxide Maintenance Therapy (IAPLSG04).

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 2082-2082 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikram Mathews ◽  
Biju George ◽  
Farah Jijina ◽  
Cecil Ross ◽  
Reena Nair ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Maintenance Therapy ◽  
Arsenic Trioxide ◽  
Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Short Period

Abstract Abstract 2082 Poster Board II-59 Single agent arsenic trioxide (ATO) has proven efficacy in the management of newly diagnosed cases of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). To validate findings of an initial single center experience (Blood 2006:107; 2627) with this low cost, well tolerated, effective regimen, a multicenter study was undertaken in a resource constrained environment. Additionally, in an effort to improve on the earlier experience and study the role of duration of maintenance on reducing late relapses, patients were randomized to 6 vs. 12 months of ATO maintenance (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT00517712). From July, 2004 to December, 2008, 182 patients were initially screened and enrolled based on morphological diagnosis of APL from 7 centers in India. Diagnosis was subsequently confirmed by molecular methods. Twenty seven cases were excluded from analysis (6 RT-PCR negative, 4 IC bleed at diagnosis, 5 septic/pneumonia at diagnosis, 9 withdrew consent prior to randomization and some were treated with other protocols, 1 withdrawn by investigator prior to randomization). Patients were treated with single agent ATO at standard doses (10mg/day for adults and 0.15mg/kg/day for pediatric patients) for up to 60 days in induction; this was followed by a 28 day consolidation after a 4 week break. Four weeks after completion of consolidation patients who were in molecular remission were randomized to 6 vs. 12 months of maintenance therapy with ATO administered for 10 days/month. Hydroxyurea was permitted for control of leucocytosis. Anthracyclines were permitted in induction for patients presenting with or WBC count rising >20×109/L in the first week, >50×109/L in the second week and for those who developed a differentiation syndrome. Of the 155 patients who could be evaluated 136 (87.7%) achieved hematological remission (CHR). One patient had primary induction failure and was removed from the study while the other 18 were induction deaths at a median of 17 days (range: 4 – 69). During induction, 52 (33.5%) patients received an anthracycline and 116 (75%) received hydroxyurea. A differentiation syndrome was documented in 25 (16%) cases and was fatal in one. Grade III/IV non hematological toxicity was seen in 26 (16.7%), which resolved in the majority after discontinuing ATO for a short period. One hundred and thirty six patients were randomized, 64 (47%) and 72 (53%) into a 6 and 12 month maintenance regimen respectively. A protocol change after randomization was done in 3 cases for persistent toxicity. Five (3.6%) patients did not complete the scheduled maintenance regimen due to poor compliance or was discontinued by the investigator. At a median follow up of 24 months, the 3-year Kaplan-Meir estimate of overall survival (OS), event free survival (EFS) and disease free survival (DFS) of the entire cohort was 76.87±4.33%, 71.57±4.64% and 80.69±4.77% respectively. Fourteen patients relapsed, the median time to relapse was 19.3 months (range: 9-51). The baseline characteristics of the two groups (6vs12 months) were not significantly different. Post randomization, the two groups were analyzed on an intention to treat basis. The OS, EFS and DFS of the two groups were not statistically significantly different. There was also no evidence that the group that received 12 months of maintenance had any increased incidence of toxicity. Single agent ATO based regimen as reported previously is well tolerated and results in durable remissions. Longer follow up is required to see if 12 months of maintenance therapy reduces risk of late relapses. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Prognostic significance of minimal residual disease detection and PML/RAR-α isoform type: long-term follow-up in acute promyelocytic leukemia

Blood ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 98 (9) ◽  
pp. 2651-2656 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph G. Jurcic ◽  
Stephen D. Nimer ◽  
David A. Scheinberg ◽  
Tony DeBlasio ◽  
Raymond P. Warrell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Residual Disease ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Pcr Assays

Abstract The t(15;17) translocation in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) yields a PML/RAR-α fusion messenger RNA species that can be detected by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification. Breakpoints within intron 3 of PML produce a short PML/RAR-α isoform, whereas breakpoints within intron 6 result in a longer form. Using RT-PCR, serial evaluations were performed on the bone marrow of 82 patients with APL (median follow-up, > 63 months) who received retinoic acid (RA) induction followed by postremission treatment with chemotherapy, RA, and biologic agents. Sixty-four patients attained a clinical complete remission and had at least 2 RT-PCR assays performed after completing therapy. Forty of 47 patients (85%) with newly diagnosed APL who were induced using RA had residual disease detectable by RT-PCR before additional therapy. After 3 cycles of consolidation therapy, residual disease was found in only 4 of 40 evaluable patients (10%). Among newly diagnosed patients who had 2 or more negative RT-PCR assays, only 3 of 41 (7%) had a relapse, whereas all 4 patients (100%) who had 2 or more positive results had a relapse. Among 63 newly diagnosed patients, those who expressed the short isoform appeared to have shorter disease-free and overall survival durations than patients who expressed the long isoform. These data indicate that 2 or more negative RT-PCR assays on bone marrow, performed at least 1 month apart after completing therapy, are strongly associated with long-term remissions. Conversely, a confirmed positive test is highly predictive of relapse.

Single-Agent Arsenic Trioxide in the Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: Long-Term Follow-Up Data

2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (24) ◽  
pp. 3866-3871 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikram Mathews ◽  
Biju George ◽  
Ezhilarasi Chendamarai ◽  
Kavitha M. Lakshmi ◽  
Salamun Desire ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arsenic Trioxide ◽  
Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Risk Group ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Long Term Follow Up

Purpose We previously reported our results with a single-agent arsenic trioxide (ATO) –based regimen in newly diagnosed cases of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). The concern remained about the long-term outcome of this well-tolerated regimen. We report our long-term follow-up data on the same cohort. Patients and Methods From January 1998 to December 2004, 72 patients with PML/RARα+ APL were enrolled. All patients were treated with a single-agent ATO regimen. Results Overall 62 (86.1%) achieved a hematologic remission (complete remission). After the initial report, an additional seven patients have relapsed for a total of 13 relapses. There were no additional toxicities to report on follow-up. At a median follow-up 60 months, the 5-year Kaplan-Meier estimate (± SE) of event-free survival, disease-free survival, and overall survival (OS) was 69% ± 5.5%, 80% ± 5.2%, and 74.2% ± 5.2%, respectively. The OS in the good risk group as defined by us remains 100% over this period. Conclusion Single-agent ATO as used in this study in the management of newly diagnosed cases of APL is safe and is associated with durable responses. Results in the low-risk group are comparable to that reported with conventional therapy while additional interventions would probably be required in high-risk cases.

Salvage Therapy with Chemotherapy- or Arsenic Trioxide-Based Regimens for Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia in First Relapse.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 1062-1062
Author(s):  
Pau Montesinos ◽  
Jordi Esteve ◽  
Edo Vellenga ◽  
Concha Rivas ◽  
Salut Brunet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Maintenance Therapy ◽  
Arsenic Trioxide ◽  
Salvage Therapy ◽  
Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Second Line ◽  
Front Line ◽  
Second Line Therapy ◽  
Early Relapse ◽  
Line Therapy

Abstract Abstract 1062 Poster Board I-84 Background: Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is currently regarded as the best treatment option in relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). The efficacy and safety of salvage therapy using an ATO-based approach compared with chemotherapy-based regimens is not well established. We analyze the clinical outcome of 110 APL patients relapsing after front-line therapy with ATRA and anthracycline, who received second-line therapy with chemotherapy- or ATO-based regimens. Methods: From June 1997 to May 2009, 110 patients (69 M/41 F; median age: 40 years, 2-81) relapsed after front-line therapy with PETHEMA trials (LPA96, n=30, LPA99, n=60; and LPA2005, n=20). Patients presented with either molecular relapse (n=37) or hematological relapse (n=73, 14 of them involving central nervous system). Sixty-seven patients (61%) followed salvage therapy with chemotherapy-based regimens. Therapy consisted of induction with mitoxantrone plus cytarabine plus ATRA (n=46), EMA (n=7), or other chemotherapy regimens (n=14). Thirty-four patients (51%) received one consolidation cycle followed by stem-cell transplantation (SCT) (autologous, 20; allogeneic, 14). Patients not eligible for SCT received consolidation therapy with or without maintenance therapy. From October 2003, 43 patients (49%) received salvage therapy with ATO-based regimens, comprising induction with ATO (0.15 mg/kg intravenously until CR) followed by one consolidation cycle with ATO plus ATRA. Twenty-three patients (53%) received intensification therapy with SCT (autologous, 19; allogeneic, 4). Patients not eligible for SCT received maintenance therapy with ATO plus ATRA with or without Mylotarg or other chemotherapy. Results: Baseline characteristics, including age at relapse, were similar in both cohorts of patients, but patients treated with ATO-based regimens were more frequently late relapses (>18 months after initial APL diagnosis) (67% vs. 40%, P=0.005). The median follow-up in the chemotherapy-based group was 62 months (range, 6-134), and 18 months (range, 2-53) in the ATO-based group. CR rates were 84% in the chemotherapy-based group (8 deaths and 3 resistances) and 88% in the ATO-based group (3 deaths and 2 resistances) (P=0.48). Molecular remission was achieved after consolidation in 79% and 91%, respectively (P=0.13). Twenty-two patients of the chemotherapy-based group that achieved CR were not transplanted because of ineligibility for SCT (n=4), early relapse before planned SCT (n=7), mobilization failure (n=4), clinical decision/toxicity (n=6), and short follow-up (n=1). Reasons for not SCT in the ATO-based group were ineligibility for SCT (n=6), early relapse before planned SCT (n=5), and short follow-up (n=4). The 2-year overall survival (OS), disease-free (DFS), and relapse-free survival (RFS) in the chemotherapy-based group and in the ATO-based group were 44% vs. 63% (P=0.05), 34% vs. 33% (P=0.51), and 37% vs. 34% (P=0.61), respectively. For patients not receiving SCT, the 2-year OS, DFS, and RFS in the chemotherapy-based group and in the ATO-based group were 38% vs. 26% (P=0.98), 34% vs. 23% (P=0.57), and 37% vs. 23% (P=0.46), respectively. For patients receiving autologous SCT, the 2-year OS, DFS, and RFS in the chemotherapy-based group and in the ATO-based group were 60% vs. 87% (P=0.03), 40% vs. 38% (P=0.38), and 42% vs. 41% (P=0.37), respectively. For patients receiving allogeneic SCT, the 2-year OS, DFS, and RFS in the chemotherapy-based group and in the ATO-based group were 56% vs. 100% (P=0.15), 26% vs. 37% (P=0.46), and 28% vs. 37% (P=0.53), respectively. Conclusions: this study performed in a large series of APL patients relapsing after upfront therapy with ATRA and anthracycline shows high rates of CR either with ATO (88%) or chemotherapy regimens (84%). The 2-year DFS and RFS were similar in patients who received second-line therapy with chemotherapy- or ATO-based regimens. However, an apparent benefit in terms of OS was observed in the ATO-based group (P=0.05), suggesting a potential role in minimizing toxicity after administering ATO as salvage therapy. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document