Combination of arsenicum trioxide and all trans retinoic acid in the treatment of relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia

From 2001 to 2013 eleven patients with relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) (median age – 30 years) received arsenicum trioxide (ATO). ATO was administered as a 2nd line relapse therapy in 9 patients, as 1st line relapse therapy in 2 patients. ATO was administered in a dose of 0.1 mg/kg in 7 patients, 0.15 mg/kg – in 4 patients. The induction duration was 14 days in 3 patients, 24–35 days in 2 patients, 60 days in 6 patients. From the 1st day of ATO patients received 45 mg/m2 all trans retinoic acid (ATRA) (1 patient – from day 29 of ATO therapy). Maintenance therapy ATO + ATRA (10–14 days courses, every four weeks) patients were receiving during 10–15 months. 2 from 3 patients with molecular relapses achieved remission lasting 57 and 89 months after the 14-day ATO courses. 1 from 2 patients with bone marrow relapse achieved remission lasting 27 months after the 24–35-day ATO courses. 60-day courses were effective in 5 of 6 patients: in 4 of which remission are retained during 16, 19, 27, 57 months; 1 patient was relapsed after 12 months; 1 patient did not achieve molecular remission. 3 patients received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT), 2 of which alive in remission. 1 patient received autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the 2nd molecular remission (alive in remission). 4 patients died: 1 – in the 3rd relapse (duration of 2nd remission – 9 months), 1 – in remission from complications after alloHSCT, 1 – from APL progression, 1 – sudden death in 2nd remission lasting 72 months. ATO + ATRA for 60 days with supportive therapy are more effective than chemotherapy in the treatment of APL relapse. Interferon α + ATRA are inappropriate treatment of APL molecular and cytogenetic relapse. Using autologous HSCT in 2nd molecular remission will improve the results of APL relapse treatment.

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