Therapeutic Outcome of Double-induction Combined with Anthracycline for Newly Diagnosed Patients with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia

Objective To analyze the therapeutic effect of double-induction combined with anthracycline(ATC)for the newly diagnosed patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia(APL).Methods Twenty-one newly diagnosed APL patients were treated with all-trans retinoic acid(ATRA)and arsenic trioxide(As2O3)combining with DA regimen as induction therapy.After complete remission(CR),they underwent 6 courses of ATC-based consolidation chemotherapy and 2 years of maintenance therapy with ATRA,As2O3 and combined chemotherapy mainly composed of ATC,alternatively.The overall treatment time was 3 years.14 cases were regularly monitored for PML-RARα fusion gene at the end of consolidation and in the following 2 years.Results Of the 21 APL cases,19 achieved CR,2 died of intracranial hemorrhage at the early time of induction.All the 19 cases who achieved CR after double-induction were in continuous complete remission(CCR)condition so far,and 2 of them were in CCR for more than 5 years,6 for more than 3 years.No case had serious or irreversible side effects during treatments.All the 14 cases were proved PML-RARα fusion gene negative at the end of consolidation,and none of them got positive afterwards.Conclusion For newly diagnosed patients with APL,double-induction combined with ATC is a highly effective and safe regimen.