All-trans-retinoic acid, idarubicin, and IV arsenic trioxide as initial therapy in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APML4)

Blood. 2012 Aug 23;120(8):1570-80; quiz 1752. doi: 10.1182/blood-2012-02-410746. Epub 2012 Jun 19.

Abstract

The treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia has improved considerably after recognition of the effectiveness of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), anthracycline-based chemotherapy, and arsenic trioxide (ATO). Here we report the use of all 3 agents in combination in an APML4 phase 2 protocol. For induction, ATO was superimposed on an ATRA and idarubicin backbone, with scheduling designed to exploit antileukemic synergy while minimizing cardiotoxicity and the severity of differentiation syndrome. Consolidation comprised 2 cycles of ATRA and ATO without chemotherapy, followed by 2 years of maintenance with ATRA, oral methotrexate, and 6-mercaptopurine. Of 124 evaluable patients, there were 4 (3.2%) early deaths, 118 (95%) hematologic complete remissions, and all 112 patients who commenced consolidation attained molecular complete remission. The 2-year rate for freedom from relapse is 97.5%, failure-free survival 88.1%, and overall survival 93.2%. These outcomes were not influenced by FLT3 mutation status, whereas failure-free survival was correlated with Sanz risk stratification (P[trend] = .03). Compared with our previously reported ATRA/idarubicin-based protocol (APML3), APML4 patients had statistically significantly improved freedom from relapse (P = .006) and failure-free survival (P = .01). In conclusion, the use of ATO in both induction and consolidation achieved excellent outcomes despite a substantial reduction in anthracycline exposure. This trial was registered at the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (www.anzctr.org.au) as ACTRN12605000070639.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / administration & dosage
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Arsenic Trioxide
  • Arsenicals / administration & dosage
  • Arsenicals / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Idarubicin / administration & dosage
  • Idarubicin / therapeutic use*
  • Induction Chemotherapy / methods
  • Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oxides / administration & dosage
  • Oxides / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tretinoin / administration & dosage
  • Tretinoin / therapeutic use*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Arsenicals
  • Oxides
  • Tretinoin
  • Arsenic Trioxide
  • Idarubicin