Arsenic trioxide in the treatment of advanced acute promyelocytic leukemia

Eleven patients with advanced APL were treated with ATO (0.15 mg/Kg daily). Eight (73%) achieved molecular CR, but 5 relapsed, 1 died in molecular CR, 1 was lost to follow-up and 1 is still alive in CR after allogeneic transplantation. We suggest that ATO may be effective also in advanced APL, but given the short CR, it seems indicated only in patients eligible for transplant procedures.