Current management of acute promyelocytic leukemia

Abstract

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) deserves a special place among neoplasms. It is the first neo­plasma which the targeted therapy at the molecular level was used in. The addiction of all-trans retinoic acid to the standard, anthracycline-based chemotherapy has hugely improved the complete remission rate. The use of arsenic trioxide (ATO) has further improved the clinical outcome of relapsed and refractory APL. Recently, many studies have been conducted to investigate the use of ATO as a front-line therapy. The article shows the latest recommendations for the management of APL.