Sham RL, Tallman MS. Treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia in the very elderly: case report and review of the literature.
Leuk Res 2004;
28:1347-50. [PMID:
15475077 DOI:
10.1016/j.leukres.2004.04.009]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2004] [Accepted: 04/05/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is the most curable subtype of AML yet it is not known to what extent newer therapies will succeed in the very elderly. Conventional chemotherapeutic induction regimens are usually too toxic for older patients, however, all trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) may be useful therapeutic options if used judiciously. This case series describes three octogenarians with APL all treated with ATRA and achieved complete remissions. The last patient received ATO at the time of first relapse and achieved a second remission. To our knowledge, this is the first report of successful use of ATO for induction in an octogenarian with APL.
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