Objective: To Summarize and compare the effects of the different post-remission treatment on long-term survival in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients.
Methods: The long-term survival and relapse of 111 APL patients with different post-remission treatment were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into four groups. Group 1: All-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) + As(2)O(3) + chemotherapy; Group 2: ATRA + chemotherapy; Group 3: As(2)O(3) + chemotherapy; Group 4: chemotherapy alone. The median follow-up time was 32 (6 - 185) months.
Results: A total of 85 patients survived without diseases, 18 patients died and 8 patients dropped out. In the four groups, the patients survived without disease were (36/40, 23/30, 21/26, 5/15), respectively. The cases of patients survived over 3 years were (16/40, 12/30, 11/26, 1/15), respectively. The patients died were (3/40, 5/30, 5/26, 5/15), respectively. The estimated 5-year overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) were (78.3 +/- 4.9)%, (76.9 +/- 5.1)%, respectively. There were 21 patients relapsed.
Conclusion: The APL patients receiving combined post-remission therapy had better OS and RFS those receiving chemotherapy alone. Sequential therapy combining ATRA, As(2)O(3) and chemotherapy is the best post-remission therapy for long-term survival of APL patients.