Long-term control of refractory follicular lymphoma after treatment of secondary acute promyelocytic leukemia with arsenic trioxide (As2O3) and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)

Abstract BACKGROUND: In this study, we analyzed the clinical benefit and safety of upfront use of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), arsenic trioxide (ATO) and chemotherapy in patients with newly-diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) during Apr 2001 and Dec 2005. METHODS: A total of 85 patients were treated with ATRA and ATO as induction therapy, followed by consolidation/maintenance therapy composed of ATRA, ATO and chemotherapy. All patients were followed-up to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety. RESULTS: A total of 81 (95.3%) patients entered complete remission (CR) with a median of 27 days. Among these 81 patients, 4 patients relapsed and 2 patients died from the disease with a median follow-up of 70 months (15–87). The 5-year leukemia-free survival (5-yr-LFS) and overall survival (5-yr-OS) for all patients were 89.2±3.4% and 91.7±3.0% while for patients who achieved CR (n=81), the 5-yr-LFS and 5-yr-OS were 96.2±2.1% and 96.2±2.1% respectively. With careful monitoring of in vivo arsenic levels in 33 evaluable long-term survivors, we demonstrated that the serum and urine arsenic concentrations were within safety limits, although a slight but significantly increase in arsenic levels was observed as compared to healthy donors. Overall, no obvious arsenic associated long-term toxicity was documented in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Use of up-front ATRA/ATO/chemotherapy combination treatment in newly-diagnosed APL has proven relatively safe and has lead to a significant improvement in long-term LFS/OS.

Download Full-text

Long-Term Efficacy of Low-Dose All-Trans Retinoic Acid Plus Individually Adapted Chemotherapy Induction Followed by Arsenic Trioxide Based Post-Remission Therapy in Adults with Newly Diagnosed Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v120.21.1480.1480 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 120 (21) ◽

pp. 1480-1480

Author(s):

Yinjun Lou ◽

Jie Jin

Keyword(s):

Retinoic Acid ◽

Arsenic Trioxide ◽

Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽

Low Dose ◽

Early Death ◽

Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽

Newly Diagnosed ◽

Trans Retinoic Acid ◽

All Trans Retinoic Acid

Abstract Abstract 1480 Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a distinct subtype of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), which usually presents with pancytopenia, coagulopathies and bleeding. Molecular studies have revealed that it was caused by leukemogenic PML-RARA fusion gene resulting from a specific chromosomal translocation t(15;17). The administration of target agent all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) combined with anthracycline-based chemotherapy for induction and consolidation followed by ATRA plus low-dose chemotherapy maintenance is the standard strategies for patients with newly diagnosed APL. However, despite the high cure rate, early death and leukemia relapse are the two main important obstacles. We evaluated the efficacy of low-dose All-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) plus individually adapted chemotherapy for induction followed by arsenic trioxide (ATO) based post-remission therapy in newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). From January 2004 to September 2011, 109 patients with APL were enrolled the study. The complete remission (CR) rate was 96.3%. The early death rate was 0.9%. Two arms were assigned according to post-remission protocols: ATO group cases were treated with standard chemotherapy, ATO, and ATRA. Without ATO group cases were subsequently treated with chemotherapy and ATRA only. Patients were monitored by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) during and after treatment. The six-year relapse-free survival (RFS) was significantly better for patients in ATO group than in without ATO group, 94.4% versus 50.6% (P < 0.0001) and the six-year overall survival (OS) rate was 95.7% versus 64.1%, in two groups (P = 0.003). This study shows that low-dose ATRA plus tailored chemotherapy is effective in induction therapy, and the addition of ATO to post-remission therapy significantly improves the long-term outcome. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Download Full-text