F1000Research (Jul 2017)

Recent advances in acute promyelocytic leukaemia [version 1; referees: 3 approved]

  • Chin-Hin Ng,
  • Wee-Joo Chng

DOI
https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.10736.1
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6

Abstract

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Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APML) is a subtype of leukaemia arising from a distinct reciprocal translocation involving chromosomes 15 and 17, which results in the PML-RARA fusion gene. Over the past three decades, APML has been transformed from a highly fatal disease to a highly curable one. This drastic improvement is because of the introduction of a new treatment strategy with all-trans retinoic acid and, more recently, arsenic trioxide. The revolutionary treatment of APML has also paved the way for a new cancer treatment, which is genetically targeted therapy. In this review, we look into this amazing journey of transformation and provide recent advances in the management of APML.

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