On arsenic trioxide in the clinical treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia

Peng Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.lrr.2017.03.001

On arsenic trioxide in the clinical treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia

Leuk Res Rep. 2017 Mar 9:7:29-32. doi: 10.1016/j.lrr.2017.03.001. eCollection 2017.

Author

Peng Zhang¹

Affiliation

¹ The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Room 1601, Unit 1, Building Kuihua 10, Meichenjiayuan, Daoli District, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150010, China.

Abstract

Arsenic is generally considered hypertoxic. However, it has been used in traditional Chinese medicine since ancient times, to treat serious illnesses. Recently, a single dose of arsenic trioxide (As₂O₃) has been found especially effective in treating acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Generally speaking, As₂O₃ is a more effective treatment of APL than other, newer medications and has less severe adverse reactions and greater safety.

Keywords: Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia; Arsenic; Treatment; Trioxide.

Publication types

Review