Review
Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: A Comprehensive Review

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbmt.2007.05.005Get rights and content
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Abstract

The past three decades have brought major therapeutic advances in the management of acute promyelocytic leukemia. The current state-of-the-art induction treatment with all-trans retinoic acid in combination with anthracycline-based chemotherapy results in long-lasting remissions and cure in up to 70% of newly diagnosed patients. Unfortunately, treatment failure still occurs in one-third of patients. When disease relapses, patients can achieve subsequent remissions with arsenic trioxide, all-trans retinoic acid with or without chemotherapy, or other therapies. Patients achieving molecular remissions after salvage therapy are generally considered candidates for high-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation as a postconsolidation strategy. On the other hand, patients with evidence of persistent hematologic or molecular disease after salvage therapy could be offered allogeneic hematopoietic transplantation if a suitable HLA-donor is identified and the patient’s overall performance and clinical condition are permissible. We hereby provide a comprehensive review and analysis of published clinical trials that evaluate the role of hematopoietic cell transplantation across different stages of acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Key Words

Acute promyelocytic leukemia
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation
all-trans Retinoic acid
Arsenic trioxide
Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation

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