All-trans retinoic acid and late relapses in acute promyelocytic leukemia: very long-term follow-up of the North American Intergroup Study I0129

Leuk Res. 2013 Jul;37(7):795-801. doi: 10.1016/j.leukres.2013.03.001. Epub 2013 Mar 23.

Abstract

We report a long-term follow-up (median 11.8 years) of the First North American Intergroup Study. 379 patients were randomized to induction with ATRA or to chemotherapy. All complete responders (CR) received consolidation chemotherapy, then randomized to 1 year ATRA or observation. 245 patients received ATRA sometime during the study: 195 (80%) achieved a CR. Nine (4.6%) relapsed late (>3 years from CR), the last occurred after 4.6 years; 7 of them were still alive after 5.5-15 years. In APL patients, late relapses are uncommon, and those who sustain CR >5 years can be considered cured.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / complications
  • Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / drug therapy*
  • Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / mortality
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / drug therapy
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / mortality
  • Prognosis
  • Survival Rate
  • Time Factors
  • Tretinoin / adverse effects*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Tretinoin