[State-of-the-art treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia]

Abstract

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) with PML-RARA is an acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a predominance of abnormal promyelocytes. Both hypergranular (typical) and microgranular (hypogranular) types exist. Previously, APL was associated with an extremely high mortality rate due to hemorrhage. However, since the advent of anthracycline, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has been introduced into therapy, resulting in the transformation of APL into AML with a higher probability of cure. Furthermore, for the last 30 years, molecular-targeted drugs, such as arsenic acid (ATO), tamibarotene (Am80), and gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO), have been developed in succession in addition to ATRA. In recent years, molecular-targeted drugs with different mechanisms of action are being combined, and the APL treatment outcome is revolutionary. In this review, we introduce previously used APL therapies and those at the forefront of APL treatment.

Keywords: All-trans retinoic acid; Arsenic trioxide; Gemtuzumab ozogamicin; Tamibarotene.