The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of All-Trans-Retinoic Acid(ATRA) on acute promyelocytic leukemia (APM) patients with minimal residual disease. Two boys with APL, 4 and 6 years old, who were treated according to the POG 8101 protocol for 3 and 21/2 years respectively, achieved a complete remission confirmed by morphological, cytochemical and immunological characteristics of bone marrow after the end of treatment. The reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) revealed the presence of S type isoform of PML-RARa by analysis of PBMCs. Afterwards the patients received ATRA (45mg/m2/d per os) for 3 months, and 2 months later the disappearance of PML-RARa S fusion was established both by the analysis of PBMCs and by the analysis of BMMCs. In conclusion, RT-PCR is a technique for the diagnosis and assessment of APL minimal residual disease by amplification of the different PML-RARa. This technique may provide diagnosis in cases where conventional methods fail. Our results indicate that tretinoin is an effective agent for inducing complete remission in children with APL residual disease.

Log in or create a free account to read this content

Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com

Access through your institution

or

Sign in or create an account
Continue with Google
Continue with ORCiD