Leukemia Research
Volume 28, Issue 12 , Pages 1347-1350, December 2004

Treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia in the very elderly: case report and review of the literature

  • Ronald L. Sham

      Affiliations

    • Hematology/Oncology Unit, Rochester General Hospital, 1425 Portland Ave., Rochester, NY 14621, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +1 585 922 4020; fax: +1 585 922 4622.
    • ,
  • Martin S. Tallman

      Affiliations

    • Division of Hematology/Oncology, Northwestern University Medical School, NMFF 676 N St. Clair Street, Suite 850, Chicago, IL 60611-6189, USA

Received 20 February 2004; accepted 5 April 2004.

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.

Keywords:  Leukemia, APL, Retinoic acid, Arsenic trioxide, Octogenarians

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

PII: S0145-2126(04)00177-8

doi:10.1016/j.leukres.2004.04.009

Leukemia Research
Volume 28, Issue 12 , Pages 1347-1350, December 2004

Article Tools