How does ATRA work for APML?

How does ATRA work for APML?

All-Trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA) This drug, a vitamin A derivative, has become a standard component of induction therapy for APL. ATRA targets and eliminates the PML/RARα abnormality. This treatment causes a marked decrease in the concentration of leukemic blast cells in the marrow, and a remission frequently follows.

Is ATRA a chemotherapy?

ATRA is an anti-cancer (“antineoplastic” or “cytotoxic”) chemotherapy drug.

What is ATRA in oncology?

A nutrient that the body needs in small amounts to function and stay healthy. ATRA is made in the body from vitamin A and helps cells to grow and develop, especially in the embryo.

Is APML same as APL?

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APML, APL) is a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a cancer of the white blood cells. In APL, there is an abnormal accumulation of immature granulocytes called promyelocytes.

What are the side effects of ATRA?

ATRA can have side effects similar to those seen if you take too much vitamin A. Symptoms can include headache, fever, dry skin and mouth, skin rash, swollen feet, sores in the mouth or throat, itching, and irritated eyes. It can also cause blood lipid levels (like cholesterol and triglycerides) to go up.

How long is ATRA therapy?

The most common options for maintenance therapy are ATRA alone, or ATRA along with chemo (6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and/or methotrexate). Maintenance therapy is typically given for about a year.

Does ATRA cause hair loss?

Trisenox has no known cross-resistance with ATRA or other anticancer agents. It does not cause hair loss and is not myelosuppressive in patients with APL.

Is APML leukemia curable?

Because of advances in diagnosis and treatment of this disease, APL is now considered the most curable form of adult leukemia.

Can APML be cured?

Abstract. Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has become a curable disease by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-based induction therapy followed by two or three courses of consolidation chemotherapy.

What does ATRA stand for?

ATRA

Can APML come back?

Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) treatment If you do go into remission, but the cancer comes back, this is known as a relapse. This is especially rare if you were treated with ATRA and arsenic trioxide.

What is full form of APML?

Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APML) is a rare sub-type of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and is sometimes referred to as AML M31. APML accounts for only 10% of all AML diagnoses. In APML, immature abnormal neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) known as promyelocytes accumulate in the bone marrow.

What are the 4 types of leukemia?

There are 4 main types of leukemia, based on whether they are acute or chronic, and myeloid or lymphocytic:

• Acute myeloid (or myelogenous) leukemia (AML)
• Chronic myeloid (or myelogenous) leukemia (CML)
• Acute lymphocytic (or lymphoblastic) leukemia (ALL)
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

How is APML diagnosed?

APML is diagnosed by examining samples of your blood and bone marrow.

1. Full blood count. The first step in diagnosis is a simple blood test called a full blood count (FBC) or complete blood count (CBC). …
2. Bone marrow examination. …
3. Further testing. …
4. Other tests.

Can APML spread?

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a form of blood cancer. APL is an aggressive cancer, meaning it can grow and spread rapidly.

How long can you live with APL leukemia?

APL is now considered a highly curable disease, with 2-year event-free survival rates of 75–84%. Early mortality is common in APL and is frequently related to hemorrhagic complications. Prior to ATRA therapy, early death (ED) related to hemorrhage occurred in up to 26% of cases.

What causes APL leukemia?

APL is caused by the uncontrolled proliferation of promyelocytes, a type of immature cell from the myeloid lineage of blood cells. The hallmark of APL is genetic alterations involving the retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARA) gene.

How long does arsenic chemo stay in your system?

How you have it. You have arsenic trioxide as a drip into the bloodstream. The drip lasts for between 1 and 2 hours. But if you have a reaction to the drip you may have it more slowly over 4 hours.