全反式维甲酸与亚砷酸联合化疗对急性早幼粒细胞白血病高危患者的疗效

目的观察全反式维甲酸(ATRA)与亚砷酸(ATO)联合化疗对急性早幼粒细胞白血病(APL)患者的疗效。方法回顾性分析86例不同危险分级的初治APL患者的临床资料。根据治疗前白细胞和血小板数将APL患者分为低、中、高危三组。采用ATRA+ATO+蒽环类药诱导缓解,蒽环类药+阿糖胞苷巩固治疗,ATRA+ATO+甲氨蝶呤(MTX)[部分加用6-巯基嘌呤(6-MP)]维持治疗。结果治疗后,完全缓解(CR)率高达95.3%(82/86)。中位随访37个月,高危组和中低危组无事件生存率及中枢神经系统累积复发率差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。维持治疗单用MTX者或MTX+6-MP者CR率均为100%。结论 APL患者尤其是高危患者可以从ATO+ATRA+化疗中受益;该方案作为初治APL的一线治疗方案优势明显。     

急性早幼粒细胞白血病18例临床分析

目的　探讨急性早幼粒细胞白血病(APL)的临床特点、最佳治疗方案、维A酸综合征(RAS)的防治。方法　分析18例APL患者的临床资料。结果　18例APL患者中以出血起病16例。维A酸联合化疗治疗8例,疗程>6周期2例,分别于第2 6个月、第72个月复发死亡;2例早期死亡;4例<4周期者2例无病生存5年以上,2例于5年后复发,治疗后再次完全缓解。维A酸、砷剂联合化疗治疗10例无病生存2～37个月。结论　APL是一种特殊类型急性白血病,临床以出血为主要症状,RAS以预防为主。     

Arsenic trioxide for management of acute promyelocytic leukemia: current evidence on its role in front-line therapy and recurrent disease

INTRODUCTION: Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), the most rapidly fatal leukemia only two decades ago, has been converted into the most frequently curable leukemia by the advent of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and its combination with anthracycline-based chemotherapy. More recently, arsenic trioxide (ATO) has been shown to be the most effective single agent in this disease and has been approved for the treatment of relapsed patients both in the United States and Europe. Moreover, ATO has been included in the design of several front-line studies, with the aim to reduce therapy-related toxicity while maintaining the potential of cure. AREAS COVERED: First, this review briefly discusses the mechanisms of action and the toxicity profile of ATO. Furthermore, the reported experience on the use of ATO as single agent or in combinatorial schemes both in relapsed and in newly diagnosed patients with APL is critically reviewed. Finally, the use of this agent in special subsets of patients unfit to receive conventional chemotherapy is discussed, along with its potential role in maintenance therapy. EXPERT OPINION: While the role of ATO as single agent or in combination with ATRA is well established and recommended by the European LeukemiaNet guidelines as a first option for relapsed patients, the role of the drug in newly diagnosed patients is still uncertain and based only on evidence levels mostly originating from non-randomized trials. The results of ongoing randomized studies should better define the role of ATO in front-line therapy.     

全反式维甲酸和三氧化二砷治疗初治急性早幼粒细胞白血病的疗效观察

目的观察全反式维甲酸(ATRA)联合三氧化二砷(As2O3)治疗初治急性早幼粒细胞白血病(APL)的疗效。方法对应用ATRA和As2O3联合诱导治疗的20例APL患者的完全缓解(CR)率、达CR所需时间和不良反应进行观察,并与单独应用ATRA组30例进行比较。联合用药组治疗方法为ATRA 25mg/(m2.d),0.1%As2O310ml/d直至CR。结果联合用药组与单独应用ATRA组相比,CR率差异无统计学意义(分别为95%、86.7%,均P>0.05);联合用药组获得CR所需的时间短于单独用药组(平均时间分别为24d、45d,均P<0.05),早期死亡率较单独用药组差异无统计学意义(分别为5%、13.3%,均P>0.05);与单独用药组相比,联合用药组的不良反应并未增加。结论联合用药诱导初发APL缓解的疗效优于单用药组,不良反应少,是一种值得推广应用的方案。     

三氧化二砷联合全反式维甲酸治疗初发急性早幼粒细胞白血病临床分析

目的三氧化二砷联合全反式维甲酸治疗初发急性早幼粒细胞白血病的临床疗效(即完全缓解率和融合基因PML-RARα转阴情况)及不良反应。方法 46例初发APL患者随机分成研究组予As2O3联合ATRA治疗24例,对照组仅予ATRA治疗22例,均治疗直至CR。根据外周血白细胞计数、维甲酸综合征以及肝功能变化调整两药物的剂量。观察CR率、获得CR和不良反应。结果 46例初发APL患者,ATRA联合As2O3组24例患者中,CR23例,1例未缓解,缓解率95.8%,ATRA单药组22例患者中,CR17例,5例未缓解,缓解率77.3%。两组间CR率差异有统计学意义。65.0%患者在治疗开始后出现白细胞升高,63.8%出现肝功能异常,多在减量或停用后1周内恢复。所有患者融合基因PML-RARα初发时均为阳性,CR时9.8%转阴。结论 As2O3联合ATRA治疗初发APL疗效好,不良反应少。长期完全缓解时间需要进一步观察。     

亚砷酸持续输注联合小剂量维A酸治疗急性早幼粒细胞性白血病临床观察

目的 探讨亚砷酸（ATO）持续输注联合小剂量维A酸（LD—ATRA）治疗急性早幼粒细胞白血病（APL）的有效性及安全性。方法6例初治APL采用ATO持续输注联合LD—ATRA方法治疗,ATO按10mg·d^-1加入5％葡萄糖500ml稀释,持续输注18h;ATRA按15mg·d^-1,连续口服1周：观察疗效、外周WBC、出凝血指标及不良反应？结果6例均达到CR,获CR时间为（25．3±1．03）d,无早期死亡与CNS—L发生。所有病例在治疗1周后,出凝血指标均恢复正常。外周血WBC均有增多,仅1例WBC超过30×10^9／L。不良反应轻,主要为Ⅰ～Ⅱ度肝功能损害,Ⅰ度恶心呕吐。结论ATO持续输注联合LD—ATRA方法治疗APL,具有疗效好,不良反应轻等优点,值得进一步研究.     

三氧化二砷治疗急性早幼粒细胞白血病疗效观察

目的 :观察三氧化二砷 (As2 O3)治疗急性早幼粒细胞白血病的完全缓解率、高白细胞发生率、肝功损害及融合基因转阴率 ,并与维甲酸 (ATRA )的治疗情况进行比较。方法 :随机分为两组 ,As2 O3组 17例 ,ATRA组 2 1例 ,分别选用 0 .1% As2 O310 m L/ d,静脉滴注 ;ATRA2 5 mg· m- 2 · d- 1 ,分 3次服用。分别观察两组的完全缓解率 (CR)、不良反应以及融合基因转阴率。结果 :As2 O3组 15 / 17例 (88.2 % )获 CR,获得 CR时间为 (2 8.1± 4 .6 ) d;ATRA组 19/2 1例 (90 .4 % )获 CR,获得 CR时间为 (39.4± 8.6 ) d,两组之间 CR无明显差别 ,但 As2 O3组获得 CR时间明显缩短。高白细胞发生率 As2 O3组 10 / 15例 (6 6 .7% ) ,ATRA组 18/ 19例 (94 .7% ) ,P<0 .0 5。肝功能异常 ,As2 O3组 11/ 17例(6 4 .7% ) ,ATRA组 13/ 19例 (6 8.4 % ) ,P>0 .0 5。所有患者治疗前 PML- RARα融合基因阳性。 As2 O3组 CR时 ,2 /14例 (14 % )转阴 ,ATRA组 2 / 19例 (10 .5 % )转阴 ,P<0 .0 5。CR后 1a,As2 O3组 5 / 8例 (6 2 .5 % )转阴 ,ATRA组 4 /11例 (36 .3% )转阴 ,P<0 .0 5。As2 O3组 15例获 CR者 ,无 1例复发。ATRA组 19例获 CR者 ,4例 (2 1% )复发。结论 :与 ATRA相比 As2 O3获得 CR时间缩短 ,高白细胞发生率低 ,CR及 CR     

Use of arsenic trioxide in haematological malignancies: insight into the clinical development of a novel agent

BACKGROUND: Arsenic trioxide delivers high rates of complete clinical remission in patients with relapsed/refractory acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL), and is associated with high rates of molecular remission as indicated by PCR negativity for the PML-RARalpha gene. OBJECTIVE: Mitochondria are considered to be the primary intracellular target of arsenic trioxide, and preclinical and mechanistic studies suggest that this agent may have broad applicability in haematological and other malignancies. Investigations of this agent are ongoing in a range of haematological malignancies, and studies in newly diagnosed APL, acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), multiple myeloma (MM) and chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) are reviewed here using published articles and presentations at international congresses to June 2004. Medline was used to source published preclinical and clinical data, and abstract databases and publications from relevant major international haematology/oncology congresses were searched to source updates of preclinical and clinical trial data. FINDINGS: Accumulating data indicate that arsenic trioxide may be a useful addition to the therapeutic regimens that have been so successful in treating newly diagnosed APL, and investigations are ongoing to incorporate this agent into the first-line APL treatment paradigm. Preliminary data from clinical studies indicate that arsenic trioxide has clinical activity as a single agent in MDS and MM, and combination therapies are being investigated. In MM, the combination regimens under study incorporate ascorbic acid, which can enhance the efficacy of arsenic trioxide by reducing intracellular glutathione concentrations. In CML, arsenic trioxide is being investigated in combination with imatinib mesylate in patients who have failed initial imatinib treatment. In AML, although results with single-agent arsenic trioxide were not encouraging, treatment using arsenic trioxide in combination with ascorbic acid is a proposed strategy in elderly patients not able to withstand intensive chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: This versatile agent has a predictable and manageable safety profile and avoids many of the severe toxicities associated with conventional chemotherapies. Ongoing clinical studies will help to define the role of arsenic trioxide in the treatment of haematological malignancies.     

Biotransformation of arsenic trioxide by AS3MT favors eradication of acute promyelocytic leukemia: revealing the hidden facts

Abstract

Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is one of the most effective drugs for treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). It could specifically target the PML/RARα fusion oncoprotein stability and induces APL cell differentiation as well as apoptosis. Although many studies have been conducted to document the anticancer effects and mechanism of ATO, there is little information about the association between biotransformation of ATO to active arsenic metabolites and APL therapy. Generally, ATO can be rapidly converted into trivalent methylated metabolites by arsenic (+3 oxidation state) methyltransferase (AS3MT) mostly in liver and redistributed to bloodstream of APL patients who receiving ATO treatment, thereby leading to a balance between cytotoxicity and differentiation, which is proposed to be the key event in successful treatment of APL. In this review, we comprehensively discussed possible roles of AS3MT and methylated arsenic metabolites in APL therapy, so as to reveal the association between individual differences of AS3MT expression and activity with the therapeutic efficacy of ATO in APL patients.     

Effects of arsenic trioxide, all-trans-retinoic acid and dexamethasone on NB4 cell line

Background and the purpose of the study

Experimental and preclinical observations have indicated that combination therapy with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) may strongly enhance their therapeutic effects in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Whilst dexamethasone (Dex) is routinely used for the control of APL- differentiation syndrome, its effect on the pharmacodynamics of ATO is not clear. Therefore, in this study, effects of therapeutic concentrations of ATO, ATRA and Dex and their sequential usages on the proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis in t(15;17)-positive NB4 cells was investigated.

Methods

Cells were treated with therapeutic concentrations of ATO, ATRA and Dex either as single or in combination and cell proliferation was assessed by XTT assay. Expression of CD11b as an indicator of cell differentiation and the percentage of 7-AAD positive cells as a marker of apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry.

Results

ATO, but not ATRA and Dex, decreased proliferation of the cells dose-dependently. Pre-treatment of the cells with any of the drugs did not alter the effects of other drugs on the proliferation. Pre-treatments with Dex blocked the apoptotic effect of ATO (1 µM).

Conclusion

No improvement or antagonistic effects was observed with the pretreatment/ combination of the ATO and ATRA on the differentiation and apoptosis of the cells. It is possible that concomitant usage of Dex with apoptotic doses of ATO in APL patients counteract therapeutic effects of ATO.     

APL and differentiation therapy--joint international congress

This meeting formed part of a series of bi-annual conferences, which had its beginnings in Sardinia in 1985, with the goal of promoting the concept of differentiation induction in cancer therapy. As in the past, the organizers of this meeting aimed to bring together both basic and clinical investigators to promote their interaction. Therapeutic successes of all trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), arsenic trioxide and STI-571 have proven the importance of oncogene-targeted therapies in cancer treatment, and underlie the usefulness of such interactions for effective and rational design of therapeutic approaches to combat malignant diseases. Consequently, discussions devoted to the clinical use of the above drugs, as well as to the molecular pathogeneses of the diseases in which these drugs are effective, occupied a considerable part of the congress. Although the clinical application of differentiation therapy still remains confined to acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), some interesting data have began to emerge in other cancers where agents, such as arsenic trioxide, retinoids and ligands for other nuclear receptors, are showing some promise.     

Arsenic trioxide in the treatment of haematological malignancies

Arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)) for leukaemia treatment was described a century ago. Recent resurgence in the use of arsenic trioxide is related to its high efficacy in acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL). Most arsenic trioxide preparations are intravenous, although an oral formulation is similarly efficacious. Side effects of arsenic trioxide are usually minor, including skin reactions, gastrointestinal upset, and reversible increases in transaminases. During therapy, a leukocytosis occasionally occurs, which may be complicated by fluid accumulation and pulmonary infiltration. Arsenic trioxide causes an asymptomatic QT prolongation in most patients. However, if concomitant cardiopulmonary diseases or electrolyte disturbances are present, more sinister arrhythmias may develop. Therefore, before commencement of arsenic trioxide therapy, a full cardiac assessment and avoidance of drugs that prolong QT interval should be instituted. Arsenic trioxide is partly renally excreted and, therefore, dose adjustment is required when renal function is impaired. In addition to its use in APL, arsenic trioxide is now tested in other malignancies, notably multiple myeloma.     

Arsenic trioxide in the treatment of haematological malignancies

Arsenic trioxide (As₂O₃) for leukaemia treatment was described a century ago. Recent resurgence in the use of arsenic trioxide is related to its high efficacy in acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL). Most arsenic trioxide preparations are intravenous, although an oral formulation is similarly efficacious. Side effects of arsenic trioxide are usually minor, including skin reactions, gastrointestinal upset, and reversible increases in transaminases. During therapy, a leukocytosis occasionally occurs, which may be complicated by fluid accumulation and pulmonary infiltration. Arsenic trioxide causes an asymptomatic QT prolongation in most patients. However, if concomitant cardiopulmonary diseases or electrolyte disturbances are present, more sinister arrhythmias may develop. Therefore, before commencement of arsenic trioxide therapy, a full cardiac assessment and avoidance of drugs that prolong QT interval should be instituted. Arsenic trioxide is partly renally excreted and, therefore, dose adjustment is required when renal function is impaired. In addition to its use in APL, arsenic trioxide is now tested in other malignancies, notably multiple myeloma.     

A practical strategy to subcutaneous administered in-situ gelling co-delivery system of arsenic and retinoic acid for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia

Arsenic trioxide (ATO) combined with all trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is the first choice for the treatment of low and medium risk acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Clinical studies reported that the combination of ATO and ATRA could achieve a significant curative effect. However, the retinoic acid syndrome, serious drug resistance and the short half-life in vivo which lead to frequent and large dose administration limit the application of ATRA. In addition, the preparations of arsenic are conventional injections and tablets in clinic, which has poor patients' compliance caused by frequent long-term administration and serious side effects. In order to overcome the above limitations, a phospholipid phase separation gel (PPSG) loaded with ATO and ATRA was developed. ATO+ATRA-PPSG (AAP), as a biodegradable sustained-release delivery system, was the first achievement of co-delivery of hydrophilic ATO and lipophilic ATRA with high drug loading which is the main problem in the application of nano preparation. The prepared PPSG displayed high safety and biocompatibility. The drug in PPSG was released slowly and continuously in vivo and in vitro for up to 10 d, which could reduce the side effects caused by the fluctuation of blood drug concentration and solve the problem of the long treatment cycle and frequent administration. In vivo pharmacokinetics depicted that PPSG could improve the bioavailability, decrease the peak concentration, and prolong the t_1/2 of ATO and ATRA. Particularly, AAP significantly inhibited the tumor volume, extended the survival period of tumor-bearing mice, and promoted the differentiation of APL cells into normal cells. Therefore, ATO+ATRA-PPSG not only could co-load hydrophilic ATO and lipophilic ATRA according to the clinical dosage, but also possessed the sustained-release and long-acting treatment effect which was expected to reduce administration time and ameliorate compliance of patients. Thus, it had great potential for clinical transformation and application.     

Pharmacotherapeutic management of autism

Importance of the field: Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) represents a paradigm of therapeutic success in clinical hematology. Since the introduction of all-trans-retinoic-acid in the early 1980s, complete remission rates exceed 90% and the cure rate is >?70%. Notwithstanding, various questions concerning the management of APL remain unanswered.

Areas covered in this review: The aim of this article is to focus on still controversial issues in the management of APL, such as the role of arsenic trioxide as front-line therapy, the management of older unfit patients, the potential utility of gemtuzumab–ozogamycin and the effectiveness (if any) of maintenance therapy for patients in molecular remission. In addition, the possibility of reducing the intensity of post-remission therapy, which is associated with substantial morbidity in potentially cured patients, is discussed.

What the reader will gain: Current and future therapeutic options for the treatment of newly diagnosed and relapsed APL.

Take home message: To date, the therapy of APL is the most successful example of differentiation therapy and its scientific history can serve as a model for subsequent development of similar treatments in other leukemias and cancers. However, treatment strategies continue to evolve rapidly, with particular focus on minimizing the early and late effects of cytotoxic chemotherapy.     

三氧化二砷诱导NB4细胞的基因表达谱改变

目的：研究三氧化二砷在诱导急性早幼粒细胞白血病细胞株NB4分化过程中基因表达谱的改变．方法：通过逆转录方法将经过及未经过三氧化二砷处理的NB4细胞mRNA制备成两种探针,应用Cy3和Cy5两种荧光染料分别标记这两种探针,随后与包含1003条待研究人类基因的表达谱基因芯片杂交,通过扫描和计算机软件分析,寻找经三氧化二砷作用后表达有差异的基因．结果：NB4细胞在三氧化二砷(0．5μmol／L)作用后3条基因上调,18条基因下调．1条参与蛋白酶体降解途径的基因显著上调,多条与细胞信号传导、RNA加工及蛋白质合成相关基因下调．结论：PSMB6及ITGBI基因的表达改变可能与NB4细胞的凋亡和／或分化有密切关系．     

Kinetic study of a 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin-based formulation of all-trans-retinoic acid in Sprague-Dawley rats after oral or intravenous administration

all-trans-Retinoic acid (ATRA, vitamin A acid, or tretinoin) is a potent chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Its poor aqueous solubility not only affects its oral absorption but also prevents it from forming an aqueous parenteral formulation. Recently, we developed a water-soluble formulation of ATRA with 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPbetaCD). In present study, this formulation was tested in Sprague-Dawley rats. Kinetic study of ATRA was carried out after oral or intravenous administration. Though there were no statistical differences in any of the estimated pharmacokinetic parameters between ATRA sodium salt and HPbetaCD-based ATRA after intravenous administration, inclusion of ATRA into HPbetaCD was found to greatly improve the oral absorption of ATRA.