Meta-analysis of all-trans retinoic acid-linked arsenic trioxide treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia

OBJECTIVES: To explore the combination therapy of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO, As2O3) on acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). METHODS: A meta-analysis of six studies was performed. Among 415 included cases, 165 cases were in the ATRA + ATO group, 129 cases in the ATRA-alone group, and 121 cases in the ATO-alone group. The complete remission (CR) rate and incidences of three groups were compared, respectively, between the therapies of ATRA + ATO with ATRA-alone, ATRA + ATO with ATO-alone, and ATRA with ATO. RESULTS: The assessment results showed that ATRA + ATO therapy significantly improved the CR rate and decreased the incidences of cutaneous reaction compared with ATRA-alone (P < 0.05). However, incidence of liver injury was higher in the ATRA + ATO and ATO-alone groups than that in ATRA-alone group (P < 0.05). Difference in the complications between ATRA + ATO therapy and ATO-alone was not significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we suggest low-dose ATRA and ATO combination therapy may be more effective for the treatment of APL.