Objective: To study the possible mechanisms of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).
Methods: Retinoic acid resistant APL cell line MR-2 was used as in vitro model. The effect of As2O3 on MR-2 cell line was observed by cell viability, cell growth, cell morphology, flow cytometry assay, NBT reduction test and immunofluorescence analysis.
Results: 1.0 mumol/L of As2O3 could induce apoptosis of MR-2 cells and it correlated with the degradation of PML-RAR alpha fusion protein.
Conclusions: The therapeutic effect of As2O3 for APL possibly differs from that of ATRA, however, PML-RAR alpha fusion protein may be the target of both the therapy.