Carrimycin in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia combined with pulmonary tuberculosis: A case report

BACKGROUND Pulmonary tuberculosis(PTB)is prevalent in immunocompromised populations,including patients with hematologic malignancies,human immunodeficiency virus infections,and chronic diseases.Effective treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia(APL)combined with PTB is lacking.These patients show an extremely poor prognosis.Therefore,studies should establish efficient treatment options to improve patient survival and prognosis.CASE SUMMARY A 60-year-old male with pain in the right side of his chest and a fever for 4 d visited the outpatient department of our hospital.Peripheral blood smear revealed 54%blasts.Following bone marrow examinations,variant APL with TNRC18-RARA fusion gene was diagnosed.Chest computed tomography scan showed bilateral pneumonitis with bilateral pleural effusions,partial atelectasis in the lower lobes of both lungs,and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid gene X-Pert test was positive,indicative of PTB.Carrimycin,ethambutol(EMB),and isoniazid(INH)were administered since he could not receive chemotherapy as the WBC count decreased continuously.After one week of treatment with carrimycin,the patient recovered from fever and received chemotherapy.Chemotherapy was very effective and his white blood cells counts got back to normal.After being given five months with rifampin,EMB and INH and chemotherapy,the patient showed complete remission from pneumonia and APL.CONCLUSION We report a case of PTB treated successfully with carrimycin with APL that requires chemotherapy.

CD71-mediated liposomal arsenic-nickel complex combined with all-trans retinoic acid for the efficacy of acute promyelocytic leukemia

Clinically,arsenic trioxide(ATO)was applied to the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia(APL)as a reliable and effective frontline drug.However,the administration regimen of AsⅢwas limited due to its fast clearance,short therapeutic window and toxicity as well.Based on CD71 overexpressed on APL cells,in present study,a transferrin(Tf)-modified liposome(LP)was established firstly to encapsulate AsⅢin arsenic-nickel complex by nickel acetate gradient method.The AsⅢ-loaded liposomes(AsLP)exhibited the feature of acid-sensitive release in vitro.Tf-modified AsLP(Tf-AsLP)were specifically taken up by APL cells and the acidic intracellular environment triggered liposome to release AsⅢwhich stimulated reactive oxygen species level and caspase-3 activity.Tf-AsLP prolonged half-life of AsⅢin blood circulation,lowered systemic toxicity,and promoted apoptosis and induced cell differentiation at lesion site in vivo.Considering that ATO combined with RA is usually applied as the first choice in clinic for APL treatment to improve the therapeutic effect,accordingly,a Tf-modified RA liposome(Tf-RALP)was designed to reduce the severe side effects of free RA and assist Tf-AsLP for better efficacy.As expected,the tumor inhibition rate of Tf-AsLP was improved significantly with the combination of Tf-RALP on subcutaneous tumor model.Furthermore,APL orthotopic NOD/SCID mice model was established by 60CO irradiation and HL-60 cells intravenously injection.The effect of co-administration(Tf-AsLP+Tf-RALP)was also confirmed to conspicuous decrease the number of leukemia cells in the circulatory system and prolong the survival time of APL mice by promoting the APL cells’apoptosis and differentiation in peripheral blood and bone marrow.Collectively,Tf-modified acid-sensitive AsLP could greatly reduce the systemic toxicity of free drug.Moreover,Tf-AsLP combined with Tf-RALP could achieve better efficacy.Thus,transferrinmodified AsⅢliposome would be a novel clinical strategy to improve patient compliance,with promising translation prospects.

Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome in a Patient with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: A Case Report

Introduction: Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) is highly associated with hemostasis alterations. The atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare type of Thrombotic Microangiopathy (TMA) due to an overactivation of the alternative complement pathway. Case Presentation: A 48-years-old woman was diagnosed with APL and achieved molecular remission after induction therapy. During the second consolidation cycle she presented with TMA. She began treatment with plasma exchange plus corticotherapy but due to aggravation of symptoms Eculizumab was initiated. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, infections and drug toxicity causes were ruled out. There was no evidence of relapse of the APL. Genetic studies of the hereditary anomalies of the alternative complement pathway were negative and the decision of stopping Eculizumab was made. During maintenance therapy for the APL she presented a severe relapse of the aHUS, requiring dialysis. She re-started treatment with Eculizumab with a progressive hematologic recovery and improvement of renal function. She completed APL treatment without relapse of the leukemia for the moment and continues to be treated with Eculizumab. Conclusion: This is the first published case of coexisting aHUS and APL successfully treated with Eculizumab.

All-trans Retinoic Acid,Arsenic Trioxide,and Anthracycline-based Chemotherapy Improves Outcome in Newly Diagnosed Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Regardless of FLT3-ITD Mutation Status

All-trans retinoic acid(ATRA)and pre-upfront arsenic trioxide(ATO)have revolutionized the therapy of acute promyelocytic leukemia(APL).However,internal tandem duplication of FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3(FLT3-ITD)mutations is associated with increased risk of relapse.The aim of this study was to analyze the prognostic impact of FLT3-ITD on APL patients who received remission induction with ATRA,idarubicin(IDA)and/or ATO,followed by ATRA plus ATO along with anthracycline,as consolidation therapy.A total of 72 patients newly diagnosed with APL were included in this study.83.3%of the patients achieved complete remission(CR)after induction therapy.FLT3-ITD mutations were detected in 16(22.2%)patients and closely related to bcr-3 PML-RARa transcript(P<0.001).The 5-year overall survival(OS)rate was 100%in both FLT3-ITDposltlve and FLT3-ITD^(negatlve)groups,and there was no significant difference in 5-year event-free survival(EFS)between the two groups(78.3%vs.83.3%,P=0.85).ATRA plus ATO and anthracycline-based chemotherapy achieved great outcome in newly diagnosed APL regardless of the FLT3-ITD mutation status.

Myeloid sarcoma of the colon as initial presentation in acute promyelocytic leukemia:A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Myeloid sarcoma(MS)rarely occurs in acute promyelocytic leukemia(APL)at onset,but it can develop in relapse cases,especially after APL treated with alltrans retinoic acid(ATRA).Therefore little is known about the clinical features and suitable treatment for APL related MS due to the rarity of the disease,although this may be different from the treatment and prognosis of MS in the relapse stage.To our best knowledge,this is the second case report of APL initial presentation as colon MS.CASE SUMMARY A 77-year-old woman complained of intermittent right lower abdominal pain,black stool,and difficult defecation for 2 mo.Physical examination showed diffuse tenderness during deep palpation and an anemic appearance.Laboratory findings showed positivity for fecal occult blood testing;white blood cell count:3.84×109/L;hemoglobin:105 g/L;platelet count:174×109/L;and negativity for tumor markers.Abdominal enhanced computed tomography showed a space occupying lesion in the colon(1.9 cm).Fibrocolonoscopy revealed a polypoid and ulcerated mass measuring 2.5 cm.The tumor was removed.To our surprise,MS was confirmed by immunohistochemistry.PML/RARαfusion gene was detected in colon specimens by fluorescent in situ hybridization and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction,which was consistent with the bone marrow.She was diagnosed as having APL related MS.A smooth and unobstructed intestinal wall was found by fibrocolonoscopy,and continuous molecular remission was confirmed in both the bone marrow and colon after four courses of ATRA+arsenic trioxide(ATO).ATRA+ATO showed a favorable therapeutic response for both APL and MS.CONCLUSION Early use of ATRA can benefit APL patients,regardless of whether MS is the first or recurrent manifestation.

Successful treatment of relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia with arsenic trioxide in a hemodialysis-dependent patient: A case report

BACKGROUND Arsenic trioxide(ATO)is recommended for patients who do not achieve molecular remission or who have molecular or morphologic relapse.However,there are no guidelines for adjusting ATO dosage in patients with severe renal failure or on dialysis.Herein,we report the successful treatment of relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia(APL)in a patient on hemodialysis with ATO single agent and review the cases in literature.CASE SUMMARY A 46-year-old woman who has been on hemodialysis to chronic glomerulonephritis for 15 years visited our hospital for pancytopenia.She had been seen for pancytopenia 3 years ago and had been diagnosed with APL.She also received chemotherapy for APL but unfortunately was lost to follow-up after her second consolidation chemotherapy.She was noted to have pancytopenia by her nephrologist during hemodialysis 1 mo ago.Bone marrow biopsy and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)tests revealed a diagnosis of relapsed APL.Treatment for relapsed APL with ATO single agent was started and she achieved molecular remission after administering 24 doses of ATO.Thus far,four consolidation therapies have been performed with the ATO single agent,and,to date,the molecular remission has been maintained as negative promyelocytic leukemia/retinoic acid receptor-αfusion gene as confirmed by RTPCR testing for two years.CONCLUSION This is a rare case of relapsed APL successfully treated with the single agent ATO in a patient on hemodialysis.

CYTOKINE SECRETION IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE PROMYELOCYTIC LEUKEMIA AFTER TREATMENT WITH ALLTRANS RETINOIC ACID

ABSRTACT Objective: To detect the modulation of cytokines production by acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells before or after exposure to all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). Methods: Diagnoses were performed according to the FAB cytological classification criteria and cytogenetic criteria. Bone marrow or blood samples from APL patients were collected in heparinized microfuge tube. Primary APL cells were separated and purified by traditional Ficoll-Hypaque density centrifugation and enriched after adherence to plastic surfaces. IL-1b, IL-6, IL-8, TNFa and G-CSF levels in the supernatants of cultured leukemia cells were estimated by ELISA method. NBT method was used to detect the differentiation of APL cells at the same time. Results: 96 h after exposure to ATRA at 10-6 M in vitro or 60 mg/day in vivo, APL cells showed a significant increase of IL-1b (P<0.05) and G-CSF (P<0.05) production, and a significant decrease of IL-6 (P<0.05) and IL-8 (P<0.05), however, there was no obvious variation of TNFa. On the other hand, the proliferation of APL cells in vitro was statistically correlated to the IL-1b secretion or G-CSF secretion. And the cell number ratio in patients with detectable IL-1b or G-CSF was higher than that without detectable IL-1b or G-CSF. Conclusion: IL-1b and G-CSF secretion may play an important role in the proliferation of APL cells after exposure to ATRA.

Pediatric acute myeloid leukemia patients with i(17)(q10)mimicking acute promyelocytic leukemia:Two case reports

BACKGROUND Chromosome i(17)(q10)abnormality is mainly associated with chronic myeloid leukemia(CML),myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative tumors(MDS/MPD),and acute myeloid leukemia(AML).The role of i(17)(q10)in AML is still unknown,the differences between AML and acute promyelocytic leukemia(APL)-like AML with i(17)(q10)need more research.This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and laboratory evidence of 2 AML cases with i(17)(q10),similar to APL phenotype.CASE SUMMARY Both pediatric patients were males;case 1 had newly diagnosed AML,and case 2 showed relapsed tumor after 1 year of drug withdrawal.Bone marrow cell morphology,chromosome karyotype analysis,Fully-instrumented submersible housing test,immunological assays,molecular biological methods,and blood tumor panoramic gene test were performed.All-trans retinoic acid(ATRA)combined with arsenic acid(As2O3)were used in the first course of treatment.Bone marrow was dominated by abnormal promyelocytic granulocytes.Karyotype test revealed i(17)(q10)isochromosome.Immunological phenotype mainly included positive expressions of CD9,CD13,CD33,and CD38.Case 1 suffered intracranial hemorrhage after re-chemotherapy and died on D162.For case 2,on D145 and D265,bone marrow promyelocytic granulocytes accounted for 2%.Flow cytometric residual lesion detection showed no abnormal immunophenotype cells.The copy number of WT1 gene in two cases were 1087 and 1010,respectively,and the expression rates were 55.29% and 59.5%,respectively.CONCLUSION ATRA,As2O3,and chemotherapy may be ineffective in treating APL-like AML with i(17)(q10)but without t(15;17)and PML-RARA fusion gene.

Central nervous system recurrence in a patient treated for acute promyelocytic leukemia,resulting in sideroblastic anemia:A case report

BACKGROUND Previous cases that have been stated in this article have displayed that around 1%to 7%of patients that have been treated with chemotherapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia developed myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia.One can see that’s why this case presentation of a 60-year-old man that had a good response to acute promyelocytic leukemia treatment,that later presented with a central nervous system recurrence of acute promyelocytic leukemia and acquired sideroblastic anemia(a form of myelodysplasia)from treatment is a unique case report.CASE SUMMARY The presence of central nervous system relapse in acute promyelocytic leukemia patients is very unlikely compared to recurring mainly in the bone marrow.It is also uncommon to be diagnosed with sideroblastic anemia(form of myelodysplastic syndrome)as a result from treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia.This case report highlights the detection,treatment/maintenance with idarubicin,all-trans-retinoic-acid,arsenic trioxide,methotrexate,6-mercaptopurine,and ommaya reservoir intrathecal methotrexate administration in a patient that had central nervous system relapse of acute promyelocytic leukemia and acquired sideroblastic anemia.CONCLUSION In essence,first time relapse concerning the central nervous system in treated acute promyelocytic leukemia patients who had a good response to therapy is very uncommon.The acquirement of a myelodysplastic syndrome such as ringed sideroblastic anemia is also rare regarding this patient population.Although such cases are infrequent,this case report represents a unique insight of the detection,treatment,and maintenance of a 60-year-old man diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia,resulting in the acquirement of sideroblastic anemia and central nervous system relapse.

Cross-sectional network analysis of plasma proteins/metabolites correlated with pathogenesis and therapeutic response in acute promyelocytic leukemia

The treatment of PML/RARA+acute promyelocytic leukemia(APL)with all-trans-retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide(ATRA/ATO)has been recognized as a model for translational medicine research.Though an altered microenvironment is a general cancer hallmark,how APL blasts shape their plasma composition is poorly understood.Here,we reported a cross-sectional correlation network to interpret multilayered datasets on clinical parameters,proteomes,and metabolomes of paired plasma samples from patients with APL before or after ATRA/ATO induction therapy.Our study revealed the two prominent features of the APL plasma,suggesting a possible involvement of APL blasts in modulating plasma composition.One was characterized by altered secretory protein and metabolite profiles correlating with heightened proliferation and energy consumption in APL blasts,and the other featured APL plasma-enriched proteins or enzymes catalyzing plasma-altered metabolites that were potential trans-regulatory targets of PML/RARA.Furthermore,results indicated heightened interferon-gamma signaling characterizing a tumor-suppressing function of the immune system at the first hematological complete remission stage,which likely resulted from therapy-induced cell death or senescence and ensuing supraphysiological levels of intracellular proteins.Overall,our work sheds new light on the pathophysiology and treatment of APL and provides an information-rich reference data cohort for the exploratory and translational study of leukemia microenvironment.

Berbamine selectively induces apoptosis of human acute promyelocytic leukemia cells via survivin-mediated pathway

Background Currently, resistance and relapse are still major problems in acute promyelocytic leukemia （APL） cases. Thus, new agents that override the resistance are crucial to the development of curative therapies for APL. In this study, we investigated the effects of berbamine on the proliferation of APL cell line NB4 and its possible mechanisms. Methods NB4 cells were treated with berbamine at different concentrations （0-64 μg/ml） for 72 hours. MTT assay was used to determine proliferation inhibition of NB4 cells. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by both flow cytometry （FCM） and morphological examination. PML/RAR-α and survivin mRNAs were measured by nested-RT-PCR and RT-PCR, respectively. Activated-caspase 3 was determined by FCM. Results Berbamine greatly inhibited the proliferation of NB4 cells in dose- and time-dependent manners, and its IC50 value was 3.86 μg/ml at 48 hours. Both morphological observations and FCM results showed that berbamine induced apoptosis of NB4 cells with concomitant increase of activated caspase-3 and decrease of survivin mRNA. After treatment with berbamine at 8 μg/ml for 48 hours, the percentage of apoptotic cells increased from 2.83% to 58.44% （P〈0.01）, and the percentage of cells with activated-caspase 3 elevated from 2.06% to 70.89% （P〈0.01）, whereas, level of survivin mRNA was reduced to 38.24% of control （P〈0.01）. However, no significant change was observed in PML/RAR-α mRNA.Conclusions Berbamine induces caspase-3-dependent apoptosis of leukemia NB4 cells via survivin-mediated pathway, suggesting that berbamine may be a novel potential agent against APL with a mechanism distinct from that of all-trans retinoic acid （ATRA） and arsenic trioxide （ATO）.

Detecting PML-RARα transcript in acute promyelocytic leukemia using real-time quantitative RT-PCR

Background Real-time quantitative RT-PCR （RQ-PCR） assay has become a vital tool to monitor residual disease of leukemia, However, the complexity and standardization of RQ-PCR should never be overlooked and the results should be interpreted cautiously in clinical conditions. We aimed to assess the methodology of RQ-PCR and its clinical applications in monitoring molecular kinetics of 36 newly diagnosed cases of acute promyelocytic leukemia patients with t （15;17） from October 2004 to December 2005.Methods All the TaqMan probe-based RQ-PCR reactions and analysis were performed on an ABI-PRISM 7500 platform, The quantitation of PML-RARα transcripts was represented by the normalized quotient, that is, PML-RARα transcript copies divided by ABL transcript copies, According to induction therapy, the patients were classed into two groups： group 1 （n=23）, three-drug combination including arsenics, all-trans retinoic acid and mitoxantrone; and group 2 （n=13）.two-drug combination from all-trans retinoic acid, arsenics and mitoxantrone.Results The sensitivity of RQ-PCR was 1 per 105 cells and 5 copies of the PML-RARα transcript could be reproducibly detected, No false positive results occurred in 40 non-acute promyelocytic leukemia samples, Optimal amplification efficiency could be attained, which was determined by the slope of the standard curves （slope： -3.2 -- -3.7）. The inter-assay and intra-assay variation coefficients of the method were 1.01% and 0.56% respectively. Although the time to attain hematological complete remission was similar in both groups, the time to achieve molecular remission of group 1 was significantly shorter than that of group 2 （61 days vs 75 days, P=0.034）. The rate of molecular remission within 70 days was higher in group 1 than in group 2 （75.00% vs 38.46%, P=0.036）, Compared with pretreatment, median reduction of the PML-RARα transcript before first consolidation therapy differed significantly between group 1 and group 2 （log scale, 3.15 vs 2.31, P=0.024）, Interestingly, we found that PML-RARα transcript levels temporarily increased in bone marrow （7 patients） and peripheral blood （22 patients） samples of patients during induction therapy in both groups.Conclusions The RQ-PCR assay is reliable for the detection of PML-RARα transcripts. Arsenics, all-trans retinoic acid and mitoxantrone triad induction treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia is superior to two-drug combination induction therapy in terms of the molecular response.

Inhibition factors of arsenic trioxide therapeutic effects in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia

Objective To summarize limitations involved in arsenic trioxide therapeutic effects in acute promyelocytic leukemia, because current studies show that some individuals of acute promyelocytic leukemia have relatively poor outcomes during treatment with arsenic trioxide. Data sources Most relevant articles were included in the PubMed database between 2000 and 2013 with the keywords ＂acute promyelocytic leukemia＂, ＂arsenic trioxide＂, ＂thiol＂ or ＂methylation＂. In addition, a few older articles were also reviewed. Study selection Data and articles related to arsenic trioxide effect in acute promyelocytic leukemia treatment were selected and reviewed. We developed an overview of limitations associated with arsenic trioxide therapeutic effect. Results This review focuses on the researches about the arsenic trioxide therapeutic effect in acute promyelocytic leukemia and summarizes three mainly limitations which can influence the arsenic trioxide therapeutic effect to different degrees. First, with the combination of arsenic and glutathione the therapeutic effect and cytotoxicity decrease when glutathione concentration increases; second, arsenic methylation, stable arsenic methylation products weaken the apoptosis effect of arsenic trioxide in leukemia cells; third, gene mutations affect the sensitivity of tumor cells to arsenic trioxide and increase the resistance of leukemia cells to arsenic trioxide. Conclusions The chief limitations are listed in the review. If we can exclude all of them, we can obtain a better therapeutic effect of arsenic trioxide in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Annexin A2-S100A10 heterotetramer is upregulated by PML/RARα fusion protein and promotes plasminogen-dependent fibrinolysis and matrix invasion in acute promyelocytic leukemia

Aberrant expression of annexin A2-SI00A10 heterotetramer （AIIt） associated with PML/RARα fusion protein causes lethal hyperfibrinolysis in acute promyelocytic leukemia （APL）, but the mechanism is unclear. To facilitate the investigation of regulatory association between ANXA2 and promyelocytic leukemia/retinoic acid receptor α （PML/RARα） fusion protein, this work was performed to determine the transcription start site of ANXA2 promoter with rapid amplification of 5＇-cDNA ends analysis. Zinc-induced U937/PR9 cells expressed PML/RARα fusion protein, and resultant increases in ANXA2 transcripts and translational expressions of both ANXA2 and S100A10, while S100A10 transcripts remained constitutive. The transactivation of ANXA2 promoter by PML/RARα fusion protein was 3.29 ± 0.13 fold higher than that by control pSG5 vector or wild-type RARer. The overexpression of ANXA2 in U937 transfected with full-length ANXA2 cDNA was associated with increased S100A10 subunit, although S100A10 transcripts remained constitutive. The tPA-dependent initial rate of plasmin generation （IRPG） in zinc-treated U937/PR9 increased by 2.13-fold, and cell invasiveness increased by 27.6%. Antibodies against ANXA2, S100A10, or combination of both all remarkably inhibited the IRPG and invasiveness in U937/PR9 and NB4. Treatment of zinc-induced U937/PR9 or circulating APL blasts with all-trans retinoic acid （ATRA） significantly reduced cell surface ANXA2 and S100A10 and associated reductions in IRPG and invasiveness. Thus, PML/RARα fusion protein transactivated the ANXA2 promoter to upregulate ANXA2 and accumulate S100A10. Increased AIIt promoted IRPG and invasiveness, both of which were partly abolished by antibodies against ANXA2 and S100A10 or by ATRA.

Safety and efficacy of Compound Huangdai Tablets combined with all-trans retinoic acid for treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia:Clinical evidence and potential mechanisms

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Compound Huangdai Tablets(Realgar-Indigo Naturalis formula,RIF)combined with all-trans retinoic acid(ATRA)to treat acute promyelocytic leukemia(APL).Methods:This study was registered in PROSPERO(CRD42018108118).The relevant literatures on RIF treatment of APL were systematically searched in the following databases:China National Knowledge Infrastructure,Wanfang,VIP Medical Information System,Chinese Biomedical Database,EMBASE,Cochrane Library,and PubMed.The quality of the included studies was evaluated and Review Manager 5.3 software and Stata 13.0 software were used to perform the Meta-analysis.In addition,this study used the method of network pharmacology to conduct a preliminary exploration of the mechanism of RIF on APL.Results:The study included 12 studies involving 775 APL patients.The Meta-analysis showed that there was no significant difference(P>0.05)between the RIF group and the arsenic trioxide(ATO)group for primary outcomes,secondary outcomes apart from liver dysfunction.The incidence of liver dysfunction(P=0.006)in the RIF group were significantly lower than those in the ATO group.In addition,the cost of maintenance therapy in the RIF group was significantly lower(P<0.05)than the ATO group.Besides,the active ingredients in RIF mainly act on targets proteins such as ACHE,NCOA2,RXRA,and then play a role in the treatment of APL through regulating multiple molecular mechanisms,such as TP53 regulates transcription of cell cycle genes,nuclear receptor transcription pathway.Conclusion:There was no significant difference in efficacy of oral RIF combined with ATRA compared with intravenous ATO combined with ATRA for the treatment of APL.The oral RIF exposed patients to less risk,offered more convenience and had lower prices.RIF can treat APL by multi-target and multipathway interventions that inducing apoptosis of APL cells and inhibiting the proliferation of APL cells,and so on.Therefore,oral RIF in the treatment of APL is worthy of further research and development.

Blockade of deubiquitinase YOD1 degrades oncogenic PML/RARα and eradicates acute promyelocytic leukemia cells

In most acute promyelocytic leukemia(APL)cells,promyelocytic leukemia(PML)fuses to retinoic acid receptor α (RARα)due to chromosomal translocation,thus generating PML/RARαoncoprotein,which is a relatively stable oncoprotein for degradation in APL.Elucidating the mechanism regulating the stability of PML/RARαmay help to degrade PML/RARαand eradicate APL cells.Here,we describe a deubiquitinase(DUB)-involved regulatory mechanism for the maintenance of PML/RARαstability and develop a novel pharmacological approach to degrading PML/RARαby inhibiting DUB.We utilized a DUB siRNA library to identify the ovarian tumor protease(OTU)family member deubiquitinase YOD1 as a critical DUB of PML/RARα.Suppression of YOD1 promoted the degradation of PML/RARα,thus inhibiting APL cells and prolonging the survival time of APL cell-bearing mice.Subsequent phenotypic screening of small molecules allowed us to identify ubiquitin isopeptidase inhibitor I(G5)as the first YOD1 pharmacological inhibitor.As expected,G5 notably degraded PML/RARαprotein and eradicated APL,particularly drug-resistant APL cells.Importantly,G5 also showed a strong killing effect on primary patient-derived APL blasts.Overall,our study not only reveals the DUB-involved regulatory mechanism on PML/RARαstability and validates YOD1 as a potential therapeutic target for APL,but also identifies G5 as a YOD1 inhibitor and a promising candidate for APL,particularly drug-resistant APL treatment.

Hemostatic abnormalities associated with acute promyelocytic leukemia and corrective effects of all-trans-retinoic acid or arsenic trioxide treatment

Objective To study in vivo effect of all trans retinoic acid (ATRA) or arsenic trioxide (As 2O 3) on the expression of tissue factor (TF) and the hemostatic disorders, a series of parameters were measured in bone marrow blasts and plasma from acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients Methods The plasma variables were measured by ELISA or chromogenic study The TF transcription was assessed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction technique (RT PCR) Results The blast cell procoagulant activity (PCA), TF antigen of APL cell lysates, as well as the transcription of APL TF mRNA elevated at diagnosis, were reduced after ATRA or As 2O 3 therapy The plasma level of platelet α granular membrane protein 140, soluble fibrinomonomer complex, thrombomo^dulin, tissue plasminogen activator and D dimer significantly increased, fibrinogen, antigen level of protein C, plasminogen, α2 plasminogen inhibitor and plasminogen activator inhibitor decreased at diagnosis, were restored to normal after complete remission but protein C activity and protein S remained elevated in ATRA group Conclusions There existed activation of platelets and consumption of anticoagulants as well as activation of coagulation and fibrinolytic system before treatment Both ATRA and As 2O 3 therapy down regulated the expression of TF mRNA, decreased the PCA and TF level in APL cells, inhibited coagulation activation, secondary hyperfibrinolysis and recorrected other hemostatic abnormalities, thus greatly improved the bleeding symptom in early stage of the treatment

Treatment of STAT5b-RARA positive acute promyelocytic leukemia by Venetoclax combining with homoharringtonine, cytarabine: A case report and literature review

Introduction:Acute promyelocytic leukemia(APL)is mostly due to the chromosome translocation t(15;17)(q22;q12),leading to the formation of PML-RARA fusion protein.Some patients carried rare translocation involving RARA gene,who were called variant APL caused by RAR family(RARA,RARB,and RARG)and partner genes.STAT5b-RARA was a rare type of molecular genetic abnormality with unfavorable prognosis which have been reported in only 18 cases in variant APL.Knowledge of STAT5b-RARA(+)APL treatment is still limited.Case report:We presented a 38-year-old female variant APL case,who was STAT5b-RARA positive detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.The patient failed to respond after four-drug combined induction chemotherapy:idarubicin,cytarabine,all trans retinoic acid,and arsenic trioxide(As 2 O 3).Then,the patient was re-induced with azacytidine,but still failed to achieve complete remission(CR).Next,she was treated with Venetoclax combining with homoharringtonine and cytarabine as the salvage therapy and achieved CR.Later,the patient received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation after 4 cycles of consolidation therapy.Conclusion:Venetoclax combining with homoharringtonine and cytarabine has been used as the salvage therapy in the STAT5b-RARA positive APL successfully.

Advances in Management of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia with Arsenic Trioxide

Acute promyelocytic leukemia （APL）, with specific features in cell morphology, is classified as M3 by French-American-British （FAB）. Among M3, 95% of patients show specific chromosome translocation t（15;17）q（22;21） with PML-RAR fusion gene, and 5% of patients show other subtypes. According to the statistical analysis of 2 540 adult acute myeloid leukemia （AML） cases in Harbin institute of Hematology ＆ Oncology, APL accounted for 23%.

Long term survey of outcome in acute promyelocytic leukemia

Objective To investigate all trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and As 2O 3 which were found to be able to selectively induce differentiation and apoptosis in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and recently became standard treatment for de novo or relapsed APL The results of long term follow up in 72 APL patients were presented and prognostic factors discussed Methods Seventy two newly diagnosed patients with APL entering CR with ATRA were consolidated with chemotherapy alone (31 patients), ATRA+chemotherapy (30 patients) and ATRA alone (11 patients) Univariate analysis was done to identify the potential prognostic factors A total of 40 cases of patients relapsed after their first complete remission, including 3 groups of patients: group A, patients treated with ATRA and chemotherapy after relapse (8 patients); group B patients treated with As 2O 3 alone for 2 nd CR and consolidation (21 patients); group C patients treated with As 2O 3 for 2 nd CR and both As 2O 3 and chemotherapy for consolidation (11 patients) Univariate analysis was also done to identify the potential prognostic factors Results With a median follow up of 45 months (5 75 months), the median event free survival was 21 months and median overall survival was not achieved The estimated 3 and 5 year event free survival (EFS) and over all survival (OS) were 32 5±10 5%, 18 4±7 5% and 73 8±17 5%, 58 5±15 2% In denovo patients, the combination of ATRA and chemotherapy in both induction and post remission treatment was found to be statistically significant for EFS ( P =0 023), and initial peripheral leukocyte count was significantly related to OS In relapsed patients, only the treatment of As 2O 3 with or without chemotherapy in consolidation after relapse was statistically significant for CR and both EFS ( P =0 0061) and OS ( P =0 0013) Conclusion ATRA is an effective induction therapy and can be considered as first choice of treatment in denovo APL Addition of chemotherapy in both induction and post remission therapy can delay or decrease the possibility of relapse compared to ATRA alone As 2O 3 is an effective agent for relapsed APL and remains an important prognostic factor for relapsed APL