ACUTE PROMYELOCYTIC LEUKEMIA

Significant advances have occurred in the diagnosis, treatment, and lo ng-term outcome of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). T he purpose of this review is to describe the molecular genetics of thi s disease, the use of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in clinical trial s of APL, and the clinical and basic research questions for future inv estigation. Findings of clinical studies in mainland China using ATRA as induction therapy for patients with APL concurrent with laboratory characterization of the molecular changes in APL have led to worldwide clinical trials of ATRA in the treatment of patients with APL. Major advances in understanding the molecular biology and genetics of APL ha ve occurred over the past 5 years. These findings have been translated into novel treatment strategies using all-trans retinoic acid as a di fferentiation agent in the induction phase of therapy resulting in imp roved long-term outcome, reduced morbidity, and lower costs for patien ts with APL. Advanced molecular techniques are being employed for diag nosis and for monitoring of patient response to treatment.