Use of arsenic trioxide in a hemodialysis-dependent patient with relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia

Management of acute promyelocytic leukemia in the setting of acute COVID-19 infection

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) often presents with significant coagulopathy which may result in both hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has complicated the initial treatment and diagnosis of APL owing to the viral infection's own associated coagulopathy. Here we report two cases of APL newly diagnosed in the setting of COVID-19 infection and considerations in their management. Included is a discussion of strategies for the dosing of arsenic trioxide in patients with significant obesity and renal insufficiency. The case series submitted does not represent a study on patients and thus no specific informed consents or permissions were required. All images included in our manuscript have been deidentified and all authors certify that personal details that could potentially be used to identify the patients in the cases described have been removed. The corresponding author has personally confirmed that both patients included in this study have given verbal permission to present their cases in the de-identified manner as described above.

Arsenic trioxide for acute promyelocytic leukemia in a patient on chronic hemodialysis

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a rare acute leukemia generally considered curable with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO). Some patients have co-morbidities that may limit the use of these agents and therefore impact curability. Adverse effects of ATO include life-threatening electrocardiographic abnormalities. ATO and its metabolites are partially excreted in the urine, and it is unclear to what extent ATO pharmacokinetics are impacted by hemodialysis. We present a patient on chronic hemodialysis successfully treated with ATO and ATRA for newly diagnosed APL. Complete molecular remission was achieved after induction and several drug-related toxicities were managed.

Successful treatment of relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia with arsenic trioxide in a hemodialysis-dependent patient: A case report

BACKGROUND

Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is recommended for patients who do not achieve molecular remission or who have molecular or morphologic relapse. However, there are no guidelines for adjusting ATO dosage in patients with severe renal failure or on dialysis. Herein, we report the successful treatment of relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) in a patient on hemodialysis with ATO single agent and review the cases in literature.

CASE SUMMARY

A 46-year-old woman who has been on hemodialysis to chronic glomerulone-phritis for 15 years visited our hospital for pancytopenia. She had been seen for pancytopenia 3 years ago and had been diagnosed with APL. She also received chemotherapy for APL but unfortunately was lost to follow-up after her second consolidation chemotherapy. She was noted to have pancytopenia by her nephrologist during hemodialysis 1 mo ago. Bone marrow biopsy and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests revealed a diagnosis of relapsed APL. Treatment for relapsed APL with ATO single agent was started and she achieved molecular remission after administering 24 doses of ATO. Thus far, four consolidation therapies have been performed with the ATO single agent, and, to date, the molecular remission has been maintained as negative promyelocytic leukemia/retinoic acid receptor-α fusion gene as confirmed by RT-PCR testing for two years.

CONCLUSION

This is a rare case of relapsed APL successfully treated with the single agent ATO in a patient on hemodialysis.

Effect of continuous venovenous haemodialysis on outcome and pharmacokinetics of arsenic species in a patient with acute promyelocytic leukaemia and acute kidney injury

This study presents outcome and pharmacokinetics of arsenic trioxide (ATO) metabolites in patients on continuous venovenous haemodialysis (CVVHD). Of 3 acute promyelocytic leukaemia patients receiving CVVHD in management of acute kidney injury, only 1 patient was included. The patient presented disseminated intravascular coagulation and acute kidney injury before induction therapy was conducted. CVVHD was performed and ATO was initiated. Species of ATO metabolites in plasma and effluent were analysed using high performance liquid chromatography-hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry. Plasma concentrations of As^III , monomethylarsonic acid and dimethylarsinic acid with CVVHD were lower than those without CVVHD. Area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to the last sample with quantifiable concentration of As^III without CVVHD was significantly higher than that with CVVHD (292.10 ng h/mL vs 195.86 ng h/mL, P = .037), which were not observed for monomethylarsonic acid and dimethylarsinic acid. Dialysate saturation of arsenic species was remarkable, especially for As^III . Complete remission was achieved and renal function recovered. In this study, ATO can be used safely and effectively to treat acute promyelocytic leukaemia patients undergoing CVVHD without dose adjustment.