I think this is a very nice question. There is no doubt about the diagnosis. Because if you don't know the translocation, nothing happens... the answers give you the diagnosis. Now it's time to find out how acute promyelocytic leukemia is currently treated (ATRA aside... which I'm sure you know). As of 2017, the PETHEMA protocol for APL in low to intermediate risk patients (and/or over 70 years of age) is ATO+ATRA. In high risk patients, it is treated with ATRA+chemotherapy. I don't think they want you to know how risk is established in promielos, but it is based on leukocyte and platelet counts. In this case, it doesn't score anything for the score since you have <10,000 leukocytes and >40,000 platelets. That is, it is a low risk. Correct answer 2. Perhaps some people have been confused by option 3. One of the main causes of mortality in the induction of a promyelocyte is coagulopathy, but option 3 is totally incorrect. We could only mess things up even more by putting heparin!!!! I don't know what they are explaining right now in the academies, but it is clear that they wanted you to know that many promyelocytes, since 3 little years ago, are not treated with chemotherapy.

I think this is a very nice question. There is no doubt about the diagnosis. Because if you don't know the translocation, nothing happens... the answers give you the diagnosis. Now it's time to find out how acute promyelocytic leukemia is currently treated (ATRA aside... which I'm sure you know). As of 2017, the PETHEMA protocol for APL in low to intermediate risk patients (and/or over 70 years of age) is ATO+ATRA. In high risk patients, it is treated with ATRA+chemotherapy. I don't think they want you to know how risk is established in promielos, but it is based on leukocyte and platelet counts. In this case, it doesn't score anything for the score since you have <10,000 leukocytes and >40,000 platelets. That is, it is a low risk. [HIDDEN] Perhaps some people have been confused by option 3. One of the main causes of mortality in the induction of a promyelocyte is coagulopathy, but option 3 is [HIDDEN] We could only mess things up even more by putting heparin!!!! I don't know what they are explaining right now in the academies, but it is clear that they wanted you to know that many promyelocytes, since 3 little years ago, are not treated with chemotherapy.

65-year-old woman referred to the ED for fever and alterations in the CBC: hemoglobin 11.4 g/dL, leukocytes 0.86 x103/μL,(neutrophils 41.9 %, lymphocytes 55.8 %),platelets 48.0 x103/μL, fibrinogen 118 mg/dL,D-dimer 20.2 μg/mL. A bone marrow examination was performed and the patient was diagnosed with acute leukemia with t(15;17) in 60% of the cells. Which of the following answers is correct?

If asymptomatic, transretinoic acid (ATRA) will be initiated and controls in day hospital will be recommended.

Treatment with arsenic trioxide, ATRA and supportive therapy will be initiated.

It is a myeloblastic leukemia type M3, so chemotherapy and heparin treatment will be initiated to control disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Antibiotic treatment should be started. When the fever disappears, leukemia treatment should be started.

Postremission therapy in acute promyelocytic leukemia: room for improvement?

A 29-year-old white man presented to the hospital with a 3-week history of fatigue, generalized weakness, gingival swelling and bleeding, and headaches. Laboratory work revealed WBC 30.4 k/μL, hemoglobin 7.9 g/dL, and platelets 16 k/μL. The WBC differential showed 64% blasts and 24% promyelocytes. Coagulation studies revealed prothrombin time (PT) 13.5 seconds, internationalized normalized ratio (INR) 1.3, fibrinogen 199 mg/dL, D-dimer greater than 1.0 μg/mL, and fibrin split products greater than 40 μg/mL. A bone-marrow aspirate with biopsy was performed, yielding the diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), with t(15;17)(q23;q21.1) in all metaphases. Induction therapy commenced with daunorubicin, cytarabine (Ara-C), and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), and complete remission was documented 5 weeks later. PML-RARA fusion transcripts were still detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. He is now referred to you for consideration of postremission therapy in the setting of high-risk acute promyelocytic leukemia in first remission.

[Effect of all-trans retinoic acid on the newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukaemia: our experience].

Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) is characterised by the morphology of bias cells (M3), t(15;17) translocation, and coagulopathy combining disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and fibrinolysis. Anthracy cline-cytosine arabinoside (Ara C) intensive chemotherapy yields a complete remission in 50 percent (%) to 80% of newly diagnosed APL patients. Failure to achieve complete remission results in fatal bleeding due to coagulopathy or fatal sepsis during the phase of aplasia. It has been recently shown that all trans retinoic acid (ATRA) selectively differentiates abnormal promyelocytes into mature granulocytes in APL, both in vitro and in vivo, and induced complete remission in 80% to 90% of the newly diagnosed patients. It has also been observed that therapy with ATRA rapidly improved coagulopathy, and induced no aplasia. However, in 30% of patients the treatment with ATRA as a single drug was associated with rapid increase in leukocytes and signs of "ATRA syndrome", which could have fatal outcome. Therefore the European study group initiated in 1991 a multicentre randomised trial comparing chemotherapy with daunorubicin Ara C (chemotherapy group) and ATRA combined to the same chemotherapy (ATRA group) in newly diagnosed APL patients, aged 65 years or less. Results of this study strongly suggest that ATRA should be incorporated in the front line therapy of newly diagnosed APL. The aim of our study was to confirm their results in our newly diagnosed patients. In our study we had 15 subsequently hospitalised patients with APL in whom diagnosis was made according to MIC classification, and who were treated with ATRA (Vesanoid-Hoffman La Roche) combined with chemotherapy according to the recommendation of the European study groups. The comparison of the effect of ATRA we has evaluated by the outcome of APL in 12 patients who received only combined chemotherapy in induction phase according to the Yu-AML-89 protocol 12 or 01-AM-86 protocol. Both protocols include daunorubicin and Ara C. In all patients MIC classification was performed. Characteristics of the patients included in the study with special emphasis to symptoms at presentation, are given in Table 1. Patients treated with ATRA plus chemotherapy received daily oral dose of ATRA 45 mg/m2 until the complete remission, or for a maximum of 90 days. After complete remission they received three courses of daunorubicin 60 mg/m2 for 3 days, and Ara C 200 mg/m2 for 7 days. However, course one was added to ATRA on day one of treatment of initial leukocyte counts were greater than 5 x 10(9)/L or rapidly started to increase to above 6 x 10(9)/L or more. Patients treated with chemotherapy received only in induction phase daunorubicin 45 mg/m2 for 4 days and Ara C 200 mg/m for 7 days as well as the intensive platelet support, heparin, fresh frozen plasma in those with bleeding. During the study haemostasis monitoring was performed in all patients. Complete remission was defined according to the criteria of the European study group. Early death was defined as a death during the therapy with ATRA or chemotherapy due to "ATRA syndrome", bleeding, aplasia, or resistant leukaemia. Statistical analysis was performed according to the Kruskal-Wallis test. Relevant haematological and pathobiological characteristics at presentation are shown in Table 2. It can be seen that there were no significant characteristic differences at presentation between ATRA group and chemotherapy group. The effects of the treatment are shown in Table 3. It can be seen that complete remission was achieved in 87% of patients receiving ATRA combined with chemotherapy and only in 42% of patients who received combined chemotherapy. This difference is significant (p < 0.01). Duration of complete remission lasted for 14 months (median) in the patients receiving ATRA while only 5 months (median) in the patients who received combined chemotherapy. Fatal outcome in ATRA group occurred in 13% due to the "ATRA syndrome" and in 58% of the patients treated with combined chemotherapy due to bleeding. Table 4 shows four selected patients from ATRA group in whom complete remission was followed with disappearance of t (15;17), thus providint the evidence of the eradication of clonal abnormalities. It should be emphasised that 2 of 15 patients developed ATRA syndrome during the early phases of the treatment with a feature of cardiorespiratory distress. The therapy with steroid was unsuccessful. Nine of 13 patients in ATRA group had moderate side effects with no necessity to discontinue the therapy. Our clinical trial shows for the first time in our county a beneficial effect of ATRA in addition to chemotherapy compared with chemotherapy alone in newly diagnosed APL, thus comfirming the results of the European study group. The only flaw of in our study may come from the fact that the patients included in the study were not randomised and that for the comparison of the ATRA group were used previously treated patients with chemotherapy alone. However, we believe that this flaw has been overcome since uniform diagnostic procedure and particularly MIC classification were performed in all patients. In addition to that, all patients included in the trial were subjected to the analysis of haemostatic status as well as to precise biochemical studies, ECG and abdominal echography. It is interesting to note that in our study, similarity to the European study group, 13% of patients developed "ATRA syndrome". Therefore, it is recommended that further effort should be made in order to prevent this fatal and not yet resolved syndrome.

DIC Complicating APL Successfully Treated With Recombinant Thrombomodulin Alfa.

An 8-year-old boy developed anorexia, fatigue, and fever. Laboratory examination revealed a high white blood cell (WBC) count of 145×10/μL with 97.5% abnormal promyelocytic cells that contained Auer bodies. Faggot cells were seen. He was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia. Later, a chromosome analysis showed 46,XY,t(15;17)(q22;q12). Promyelocytic Leukemia-retinoic acid receptor α-fused gene and chimeric mRNA were confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, respectively. He was complicated with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and his fibrin and fibrinogen degradation product at the onset was 37.6 μg/mL. Human recombinant thrombomodulin (rTM) was started for DIC. After dexamethasone was administered at a dose of 8 mg/m to prevent all-trans retinoic acid syndrome on day 1, all-trans retinoic acid was started at a dose of 45 mg/m on day 4. Cytarabine (100 mg/m/d) and daunorubicin (45 mg/m/d) were started on day 9. The WBC count gradually increased to 270×10/μL on day 8, and then decreased beginning on day 9. DIC improved after the initiation of chemotherapy and only minor petechia was noted. DIC did not become worse even after rTM was stopped on day 8. The risk of DIC and bleeding is high in the early stage of treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia, especially in patients with a high WBC count. In our patient, rTM may have prevented fatal DIC and made it possible to safely administer induction chemotherapy.

[Complete remission of acute promyelocytic leukemia accompanied by DIC in an elderly patient treated with all-trans retinoic acid].

In this paper we report on a 74-year-old female patient who was suffering from acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and who, upon admission to our hospital on February 20, 1992, was also found to be stricken with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The DIC, however, was quickly arrested by administration of heparin and there was no exacerbation. Also, on admission her peripheral blood leukocyte count was 700/ul, but after oral administration of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) (45 mg/m/day) was begun on February 22, this count gradually increased and peaked at 35,200/ul on March 7. Some of these matured leukocytes revealed dysplastic features; some had Auer bodies. At this time cytogenetic analysis of bone marrow cells showed 46XX, t (15;17). The leukocyte count gradually decreased to 1,500/ul, and the dysplastic features disappeared. On March 21 her thrombocytes and reticulocytes began to increase, and she achieved complete remission when her abnormal karyotype disappeared on March 24. She suffered no severe complications such as infection or hemorrhage during treatment. We therefore suggest that ATRA is very effective for APL in elderly patients. It neither exacerbates DIC nor increases the risk of infection. In fact, when ATRA treatment is compared to the standard cytotoxic chemotherapy there is a reduced risk of infection.

[Analysis of empirical treatment for newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia combined with disseminated intravascular coagulation].

This study was aimed to explore the clinical characteristics and optimal therapeutic methods for newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) combined with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) so as to guide the clinical therapy. The clinical date and therapeutic outcome of 25 cases of APL combined with DIC treated from January 2008 to March 2013 in our department were analysed retrospectively. The 25 patients were given ATRA 20 mg orally twice a day and arsenic trioxide (ATO) 10 mg intravenously once a day to induce differentiation therapy, the chemotherapy was added after degranulation of promyelocytes. At the same time the platelets, fresh frozen plasma, fibrinogen, cryoprecipitate,prothrombin complex and amino methylbenzoic acid, low molecular weight heparin were given to treat DIC. According to the laboratorial examination of coagulation and fibrinolysis, the medication was adjusted.The white blood cell count, platelet level, prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time of plasma (APTT), fibrinogen level were detected, and the relation of those factors and age with bleeding severity was analyzed by multivariate manner. The results showed that among 25 patients with APL (low-risk 5 cases, intermediate risk 13 cases and high risk 7 cases), 22 cases combined with DIC, incidence of DIC was 88%. Out of 22 patients with DIC 21 patients (95.5%) were corrected, except 1 case death. After the first course of treatment, 23 cases (92%) gained complete remission (CR) with average CR time 31.8 ± 7.2 days. During the induction of CR, the average platelet transfusion level was 75.68 ± 55.88 U, the RBC level was 8.90 ± 5.69 U, the average level of fresh frozen plasma transfusion of APL patients with DIC was 21.92 ± 19.32 U. The recovery time of platelet level to normal was 29.3 ± 9.3 days, the recovery time of PT, APTT, FDP and fibrinogen to normal were 12.7 ± 9.5 days, 11.6 ± 8.6 days, 16.0 ± 9.3 days and 125.3 ± 85.3 days respectively. The multivariate analysis showed that WBC count at onset was >10 × 10(9)/L and APTT was prolonged. These two factors were main reasons resulting in severe bleeding. It is concluded that the newly diagnosed APL always combined with DIC, therefore in the early phase of disease active transfusion of blood products, application of anti-coagulation and anti-fibrinolytic drugs as well as heparin should be performed; the coagulation function should be as soon as recovered to normal so as to early correct DIC. These measures can significantly decrease the mortality of APL patients resulting from DIC. The hyperleukocytosis and prolonged APTT are the main factors for severe bleeding.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia with (15;17) translocation and chromosome no. 11 deletion (q23).

The patient, a 76-year-old man, was referred with fever, large ecchymotic lesions and ulcerative laryngitis. Blood counts showed a hemoglobin of 11 g/100 ml, hematocrit of 31%, red blood cell count of 3.5 X 10(12)/1, white blood cell count of 6.8 X 10(9)/1 and platelet count of 16.0 X 10(9)/1. The differential count showed 17% neutrophils, 4% lymphocytes, 40% promyelocytes and 39% myeloblasts. The sternal marrow sample showed a marked hypercellularity. Of the cells, 80-85% were hypergranular promyelocytes, some of them showing bundles of Auer rods. No granulocytic maturation was observed. A few erythroblasts were present. A disseminated intravascular coagulation was observed (fibrinogen 0.85 g/l, factor V 18%, fibrin degradation products 640 mg/l). The serum creatinin was at 217 micromol/1 and the urea at 16.8 mmol/1. The treatment (daunorubicin, heparin, platelet transfusion) was unsuccessful and the patient died three days after entering hospital. The bone marrow karyotype by direct examination showed only normal metaphases (32 photographed). All the metaphases from the unstimulated blood 48-h culture (25 photographed) were clonal, showing the pattern 47,XY,del(11) (q23),t(15;17) (q24? q22?), +mar. The marker was '16 like' in size but its origin could not be determined (Figs. 1 and 2).

Comparison of laboratory characteristics between acute promyelocytic leukemia and other subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia with disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is an acute myeloid leukemia (AML) subtype with distinctive cell morphology, molecular presentation, clinical course, and treatment. About 90% of APL patients present with hemorrhagic complications due to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). When APL is suspected, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) treatment is recommended even before confirmation by molecular tests. Specific criteria for differentiating unconfirmed APL from other AML subtypes with DIC are currently lacking. We aimed to achieve the early diagnosis of APL from other AML types with DIC by restricting the DIC criteria. We retrospectively analyzed 29 patients newly diagnosed with AML accompanied by DIC from January 2005 to January 2013. Fibrin degradation products (FDP) (77.7 µg/mL vs. 23.7 µg/mL, p=0.026), D-dimer (7,376.2 ng/mL vs. 1,315.2 ng/mL, p=0.018), and TIBC (264.4 µg/dL vs. 206.8 µg/dL, P=0.046) were higher, while fibrinogen (133.8 mg/dL vs. 373.2 mg/dL, p<0.001), WBC (14.988×10(9)/L vs. 70.755×10(9)/L, p=0.015), and ESR (7.1 mm/h vs. 50.0 mm/h, p <0.001) were lower in APL patients than in the patients with other AML subtypes. FDP ≥27 µg/mL, D-dimer ≥2,071 ng/mL, and fibrinogen ≤279 mg/dL were our threshold values. These markers may be characteristic to APL and helpful in presumptive diagnosis. APL may be differentiated from other AML subtypes by core markers of DIC (FDP, D-dimer, and fibrinogen). We suggest that clinicians set new diagnostic thresholds by restricting the DIC criteria. These findings support the early initiation of ATRA, prior to confirmation by PML-RARA molecular testing.

Successful treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia in a 92-year-old man using all-trans retinoic acid combined with oral arsenic: A case report.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia is a special subtype of acute myeloid leukemia. The incidence of early death and complications is high. An oral regimen of all-trans retinoic acid combined with the realgar-indigo naturalis formula (RIF) without chemotherapy has provided a new strategy for the treatment of these patients. A 92-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital due to fatigue and oral bleeding. He had no fever or lung infection. Routine blood test showed white blood cell count 1.0 ×109/L, hemoglobin 100 g/L, and platelets 21 × 109/L. Coagulation function indicated fibrinogen 1.02 g/L and D-dimer 2360 ng/mL. And 28% abnormal promyelocytes were observed in peripheral blood. A bone marrow morphologic, immunophenotypic, cytogenetic, and molecular examination was performed. Routine bone marrow examination showed active proliferation of nucleated cells, with promyelocytes accounting for 91%; immunophenotyping revealed an early myeloid cell population, accounting for approximately 82.4% of all cells. From February 15, 2020, 25 mg/m2 all-trans retinoic acid was orally administered daily. After the fusion gene result was obtained, oral administration of 60 mg/kg RIF daily began since February 18, 2020. The combination of the 2 agents was given until March 16, 2020. Oral administration of 25 mg/m2 retinoic acid daily began from March 20, 2020 for 2 weeks, and oral administration of 60 mg/kg RIF daily lasted for 4 weeks as the consolidation therapy. During the treatment, the proportion of promyelocytes in peripheral blood, white blood cell count, platelets, coagulation function, liver function, and QT interval were monitored. Oral retinoic acid and oral RIF were given without chemotherapy and the patient achieved bone marrow remission after 1 month, and molecular remission was achieved 2 months later. In the early stage of acute promyelocytic leukemia, combined thrombocytopenia and disseminated intravascular coagulation may develop. Platelet and fresh frozen plasma infusion were proactively given until platelets were stabilized above 30 × 109/L, and the coagulation function returned to normal. The regimen was safe and effective, and subsequent treatment did not require hospitalization, which helped to improve the patient's quality of life.

[An unusual cause of febrile neutropenia: brucellosis].

Febrile neutropenia which is a common complication of cancer treatment, is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality. Several gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria are responsible for infections in neutropenic patients, however the most common microorganisms are Escherichia coli and coagulase-negative staphylococci, in decreasing order. Although Brucella spp. infections are endemic in Turkey, brucellosis-related febrile neutropenia has only rarely been reported. In this report, a case of brucellosis-related febrile neutropenia in a patient with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) was presented. A 56-year-old male patient presenting with fever, petechiae/purpura, leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, and anemia was admitted to our hospital. Laboratory studies revealed a hemoglobin level of 8.27 g/dl, leukocyte count of 77.100 k/ml, absolute neutrophil count of 200 k/ml, and platelets at 94.200 k/ml. The patient was diagnosed as AML-M1 and piperacillin/tazobactam was started as the first-line antibiotic therapy due to the febrile neutropenia. On admission, blood and urine cultures were negative. Once the fever was controlled, remission/induction chemotherapy was initiated. However, fever developed again on the eight day, and vancomycin was added to the therapy. Since the fever persisted, the antibiotic therapy was gradually replaced with meropenem and linezolid. However, fever continued and the patient's general condition deteriorated. Subsequently performed Brucella tube agglutination test revealed positivity at 1/320 titer and the microorganism grown in blood culture (Bactec 9050; BD, USA) was identified as B.melitensis by conventional methods. Rifampicin and doxycycline therapy was started immediately, however, the patient died due to septic shock. If the tests for brucellosis were performed earlier when response to second step antibiotic therapy lacked in this patient, it was assumed that mortality could be prevented by the prompt initiation of the appropriate treatment. Thus, since brucellosis is endemic in Turkey, it should be considered as a possible agent of febrile neutropenia especially in patients unresponsive to empiric antibiotherapy and appropriate diagnostic tests should be performed.

Successful treatment of retinoic acid syndrome with dexamethasone: a case report.

Retinoic acid syndrome (RAS) is the clinical syndrome that occurs after treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). The patients experience fever, dyspnea, hypotension, respiratory distress, edema and weight gain. Chest x-ray will show pulmonary infiltrates and pleuropericardial effusion. The onset of this syndrome is usually 5-21 days after ATRA treatment when white blood cell counts are rising more than 10,000/cu.mm. The authors have reported a case of RAS. The patient was a 29-year-old man who had been working in a battery manufacturing factory for 7 years. He presented with easily bruising for one month. The initial blood test showed hematocrit of 36.2%, white blood cells count of 3,200/cu.mm with 28% neutrophils, 20% lymphocytes, 2% eosinophils and 50% promyelocytes and platelet of 20,000/cu.mm. Peripheral blood smear revealed numerous fragmented red blood cells. Bone marrow examination showed hypercellularity with abnormal promyelocytes of 95% and bone marrow cytogenetics was translocation of chromosome 15 and 17 [t (15;17)(q22;q12)]. The diagnosis was acute promyelocytic leukemia and the patient was treated with ATRA 45 mg/m2/day per oral starting on day 1 and intravenous idarubicin 10 mg/n2 on day 4, 5 and 6. On day 13, he had a body temperature of 39 degrees C and a dry cough. The white blood cells were rising to 7,400/cu.mm with 16% neutrophils. On day 18, he had oliguria, high grade fever, hypotension, cough with chest pain and white blood cells rose to 21,300/cu.mm with 65% neutrophils and rising of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. Chest x-ray showed enlarged cardiac shadow with pleural effusion. Echocardiogram revealed moderate amount of pericardial effusion. The diagnosis of RAS was made and ATRA was withdrawn. Intravenous dexamethasone 4 mg every 6 hours and hemodialysis was started. The patient's symptoms improved dramatically and bone marrow examination was in complete remission. He was subsequently given cytarabine and idarubicin as consolidation. This patient had clinical manifestation consistent with RAS, which improved after prompt treatment.

[All-trans retinoic acid-induced myelomonocytoid differentiation in acute promyelocytic leukemia].

A 30-year-old man with a diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) was admitted. Laboratory findings were as follows: WBC 32,900/microliter with 88% promyelocytes, Hb 10.4 g/dl, platelets 2.6 x 10(4)/microliter. Coagulation tests revealed DIC. Bone marrow was hypercellular with 91.8% promyelocytes which were strongly positive for peroxidase and positive for alpha-naphthyl butyrate esterase. Cytogenetic study revealed 46, XY, t(15;17) (q22:q11). He was treated with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) along with hydroxyurea (HU) and low-molecular weight heparin (LMH). Because his WBC increased to 93,700/microliter on day 6 of ATRA therapy, DCMP chemotherapy was given, while ATRA was withheld. He developed enterocolitis due to myelosuppression. ATRA was restarted along with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). His WBC rose to 10,400/microliter with a marked, but temporary predominance of myelomonocytes both in peripheral blood and in bone marrow. These myelomonocytoid cells were positive for specific and nonspecific esterase double stainings. Then he entered complete remission. It was of interest that myelomonocytoid differentiation of APL cells was induced by ATRA. The etiology was discussed.

[Marked bone marrow necrosis preceding acute myeloblastic leukemia in childhood].

A 3-year-old boy was transferred to our hospital because of fever, abdominal pain and severe systemic bone pain on October 16, 1989. Hematological examination showed hemoglobin 8.7 g/dl, white blood cell count 5300/microliters with 9% neutrophils and platelet count 5.5 x 10(4)/microliters. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy revealed markedly necrotic cells. Blood chemistry showed transient elevation of CRP, serum LDH, FDP, FDP-Ddimer and fibrinogen. Tc99m pyrophosphate bone scanning showed multiple uptake spots in various bone. Although the sign of fever, abdominal pain and bone pain disappeared spontaneously after three weeks, anemia persisted. About two months later from bone marrow necrosis, abnormal cells appeared in the bone marrow. A diagnosis of AML (M3) was made and a combination chemotherapy started. This case is remarkable for elevation of acute phase protein in association with bone marrow necrosis.

Newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) represents a medical emergency with a high rate of early mortality. As a consequence, as soon as the diagnosis is suspected based upon cytologic criteria, it is necessary to start all- trans retinoic acid (ATRA) treatment without delay. For patients with newly diagnosed APL, induction therapy with ATRA plus anthracycline based chemotherapy is recommended. At present the combination of arsenic trioxide plus ATRA should be considered for patients who are not candidates for anthracycline-based therapy. For pediatric and adult patients with APL aged < 60 years who achieve a CR with induction, I recommend 3 intensive courses of consolidation chemotherapy associated to ATRA, targeted on the basis of the risk group at diagnosis. In patients treated with a very intensive consolidation chemotherapy maintenance treatment can be omitted. However If a maintenance treatment has to be adopted I suggest the use of intermittent ATRA for 15 days every 3 months for a period of 2 years, rather than ATRA associated to chemotherapy. Moreover, taking into account the medical literature, a reduced dosage of ATRA ( 25 mg/m(2)) in pediatric patients and a consolidation chemotherapy of reduced intensity in elderly patients is recommended. Furthermore, in order to maximize survival, careful attention should be reserved to the coagulopathy and to the appearance of the differentiation syndrome. Finally, PCR for the PML/RARA fusion gene on a bone marrow specimen every three months for two years, and then every six months for additional three years are needed during the follow-up.

Acquired protein C deficiency in a child with acute myelogenous leukemia, splenic, renal, and intestinal infarction.

We report the case of a 6-year-old boy diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia (AML-M3V) when he presented with pallor, abdominal pain, anorexia, and fatigue. Induction chemotherapy was started according to the AML-BFM 98 protocol along with Vesanoid (ATRA, All-trans retinoic acid). On the sixth day of induction, he developed splenic and gallbladder infarcts. Splenectomy and cholecystectomy were performed while chemotherapy induction continued as scheduled. Four days later, he developed ischemic areas in the kidneys and ischemic colitis in the sigmoid colon. Hypercoagulation studies showed severe deficiency of protein C. Tests showed protein C 16% (reference range 70-140%), protein S 87% (reference range 70-140%), antithrombin III 122% (reference range 80-120%), prothrombin time 13.6 s (reference = 11.3), INR (international normalized ratio) 1.21, partial thromboplastin time 33 s (reference = 33), fibrinogen 214 mg/dl, D-dimer 970 μg/ml, factor II 98%, and that antinuclear antibody, antiphospholipid antibodies, mutation for factor II gene (G20210A), and mutation for Arg506 Gln of factor V were all negative (factor V Leiden). There was no evidence of clinical disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). He was treated with low molecular weight heparin and did well. He continues to be in complete remission 7 years later with normal protein C levels. Acquired protein C deficiency can occur in a variety of settings and has been reported in acute myelocytic leukemia. However, clinically significant thrombosis in the absence of clinical DIC, such as our case, remains extremely rare.

[CD2 and CD8 expression in acute promyelocytic leukemia].

A 34-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for a headache in March, 1995. The patient's hemoglobin was 7.5 g/dl, platelet count was 1.8 x 10(4)/microliter and white blood cell (WBC) count was 12,400/microliters with 99% myeloblasts. Myeloblasts were agranular or hypogranular but electron microscopy revealed microgranules in cytoplasm, and a few faggots were observed. The bone marrow was hyperplastic due to myeloblasts and chromosomal abnormality was recognized: 46, XY, t(15; 17) (q22; q12). PML-RAR alpha with intron 3 breakpoint of the PML locus, and rearrangements of the T-cell receptor beta and gamma genes were detected. These cells were positive for CD2 (63%), CD8 (47%), CD13 (87%) and CD33 (99%). Microgranular variant type of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) was diagnosed. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was also present. The patient was treated with enocitabine, daunorubicin, 6-mercaptopurine, dalteparin sodium, anti-thrombin III concentrates and gabexate mesilate with prophylactic frozen transfusions of fresh plasma and platelet transfusions for 5 days, but WBC count did not decrease and DIC did not improve. The patient died of cerebral hemorrhage 7 days after diagnosis of APL. APL with CD8 expression has never been reported. We suggest that therapy should be modified in this type of APL and conclusions concerning the most appropriate therapeutic strategy will depend on the results of treatment of similar cases in the future.

Acute myeloid leukemia

Acute promyelocytic leukemia is treated with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and either arsenic trioxide (ATO) monotherapy or an anthracycline. A syndrome similar to disseminated intravascular coagulation can develop during the initial few days of treatment or at the time the leukemia is diagnosed, and treatment can be complicated by a differentiation syndrome characterised by fever, fluid overload and low oxygen levels. Acute promyelocytic leukemia is considered curable. There is insufficient evidence to determine if prescribing ATRA in addition to chemotherapy to adults that suffer from acute myeloid leukaemia is helpful. Consolidation Even after complete remission is achieved, leukemic cells likely remain in numbers too small to be detected with current diagnostic techniques. If no consolidation therapy or further postremission is given, almost all people with AML will eventually relapse.

Clinical features and treatment outcomes of pediatric acute promyelocytic leukemia in a Mexican pediatric hospital.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a distinct type of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) characterized by chromosomal translocations involving the retinoid acid receptor α (RARA) gene on chromosome 17. APL is a relatively rare blood disease that is highly curable with current treatment strategies; however, patient outcomes are heterogeneous in countries with limited resources. Promyelocytic leukemia accounts for 20-25% of all AML cases in Latin American countries. We conducted a study from July 2007 to July 2012 and applied the IC-APL2006 protocol. This case study reports the results from eleven patients with AML M3 (five males and six females). In all cases, the diagnoses were made by aspirating bone marrow and evaluating the t(15:17) or t(11:17) transcript. In eight cases, the molecular biology-based diagnostics for the PLM-RARa transcript were positive, and they were negative in two cases. One patient was positive for the PLZF-RARa transcript. The mean WBC at the time of diagnosis was 10.1 x 10(9)/L, and the mean platelet count was 17.1 x 10(9)/L. The mean percentage of abnormal promyelocytes in the bone marrow aspirates was 68%. Of the eleven patients, four presented with disseminated intravascular coagulation. All of the patients began treatment with transretinoic acid (ATRA) (45 mg/m(2)/day), which led to 4 cases of ATRA syndrome. There were 2 relapses, and the patient died in one case. The remaining ten patients were alive after the median follow-up period of 33.6 months (range from 11 to 60 months). The authors report on a series of cases involving pediatric patients with AML M3 seen at a single institution; the patients were stratified and treated with a standard protocol to obtain satisfactory results. Although the number of patients is limited, the health outcomes are relevant. To our knowledge, this is the first series of pediatric APL patients in Mexico who were treated with the IC-APL2006 protocol.

Pediatric acute promyelocytic leukemia: all-transretinoic acid therapy in a Brazilian pediatric hospital.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is an uncommon form of pediatric acute nonlymphocytic leukemia. It is characterized by clinical (refractory coagulopathy), morphologic (promyelocytic differentiation arrest), and cytogenetic t(15;17) hallmarks. The introduction of all-transretinoic acid (ATRA) or tretinoin, a biologic response modifier, in its therapy was followed by dramatic improvement in its outcome. To show the results of APL treatment in our hospital, we reviewed the information about 15 patients less than 18 years old, newly diagnosed with APL between November 2002 and November 2006. The diagnosis was made upon examination of bone marrow aspirates. The clinical charts were searched for data regarding clinical presentation, diagnosis, initial response with induction therapy, toxicity of ATRA, and antracyclic drug (daunorubicin). The median age was 10 years; the male-to-female ratio was 2:1. Fourteen patients received induction chemotherapy. Thirteen achieved complete remission. Six patients showed signs of coagulopathy. Only 1 patient was diagnosed with ATRA syndrome. There was a death owing to sepsis before the beginning of the therapy and 2 relapses with death associated with the therapy discontinuation. Preliminary results are encouraging and confirm that ATRA is safe and efficacious as first choice therapy for APL.

Delayed recovery of normal hematopoiesis in arsenic trioxide treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia: a comparison to all-trans retinoic acid treatment.

To examine laboratory data including total blood cell count, leukocyte morphology and coagulation parameters during treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) at a single institute, and compare the precise differences between all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (As2O3) treatment. Sixteen patients with APL who were treated with ATRA or As2O3 alone and achieved complete remission (CR) were analyzed. ATRA 45 mg/m2/day was given orally until CR. As2O3 0.15 mg/kg/day was given intravenously until leukemic blasts and promyelocytes were eliminated from the bone marrow. All 7 patients in the ATRA-treated group were primary cases and all 9 patients in the As2O3-treated group were relapsed cases after the achievement of CR with the ATRA. There was no difference in the data before treatment between these two groups. The duration of leukocytopenia and neutropenia during As2O3 treatment was significantly longer than those of ATRA treatment. The nadir of leukocyte and neutrophil counts was observed later in the As2O3-treated group. Terminal neutrophil differentiation was observed more obviously in the ATRA-treated group. The red blood cell count and hemoglobin concentration decreased significantly at the end of As2O3 treatment and were lower than those of ATRA treatment. Platelets recovered earlier in the ATRA-treated group. Coagulation parameters were not significantly changed between the two groups. In comparison with ATRA treatment, the recovery of several components in the peripheral blood cells was delayed in As2O3 treatment. Therefore we should pay more and longer attention in As2O3 treatment.

Clinical bleeding events and laboratory coagulation profiles in acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Bleeding is the leading cause of death for patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Blood component transfusion to correct coagulopathy is the keystone in reducing bleeding. The benefit of fresh frozen plasma transfusion is unproven. Using laboratory profiles to predict bleeding is important guidance for the determination of transfusion policies in the treatment of APL. For 116 patients of APL, bleeding events were collected and correlated with various hematologic and coagulation parameters, including leukemic cell percentages, white blood cell (WBC) and platelet counts, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen levels, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) scores. Overt DIC occurred in 77.6% of patients. Severity of DIC was associated with bone marrow leukemic cell percentages but unrelated to bleeding. Patients with bleeding had significantly higher WBC counts (26.73 ± 6.18 vs. 13.03 ± 3.03 per μL, P = 0.026) and more prolonged PT (4.85 ± 0.70 vs. 2.59 ± 0.28 s, P = 0.002) and APTT (3.98 ± 1.68 vs. 0.96 ± 0.93 s, P = 0.017). Fibrinogen levels, platelet counts, and leukemia cell percentages were not significantly different between bleeding and non-bleeding patients. PT is valuable in prediction of bleeding. Patients with PT ≧ 5 s had a relative risk of 6.14 for bleeding. Seven patients had severe bleeding before initiation of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). Patients with APL are susceptible to DIC and subsequent bleeding events. Prompt ATRA administration is crucial in preventing hemorrhagic events. High WBC counts, prolonged PT, and APTT are associated with clinical bleeding in our series. PT is the most accurate parameter in predicting bleeding. Based on these findings, supportive care should be directed toward correction of coagulopathy to prevent bleeding complications and fresh frozen plasma appears to be indicated for coagulopathy associated with APL.

Analysis of prognostic factors in newly diagnosed patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia: the APL92 study of the Japan Adult Leukemia Study Group (JALSG).

All-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) has been incorporated in front-line therapy for newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). We conducted a multicenter study of differentiation therapy with ATRA alone or in combination with chemotherapy followed by intensive postremission chemotherapy in patients with APL (the JALSG APL92 study), and analyzed prognostic factors to increase the cure rate in our subsequent trial. From 1992 to 1997, adult patients with newly diagnosed APL received oral ATRA 45 mg/m2 daily alone until complete remission (CR) if initial leukocyte counts were < 3.0x10(9)/l, and ATRA daily plus daunorubicin (DNR) 40 mg/m2x3 days plus enocitabine (BHAC) 200 mg/m2x5 days if leukocyte counts were > or =3.0 x 10(9)/l. If peripheral blasts exceeded 1.0x10(9)/l during therapy, DNRx3 days plus BHACx5 days was added. After CR was achieved, three courses of consolidation and six courses of maintenance/intensification chemotherapy were administered. Of 376 patients enrolled, 369 were evaluable (median age 46 years, range 15-86 years; median leukocyte counts 2.0x10(9)/l), and 333 (90%) achieved CR (94% of patients treated with ATRA alone, 88% with ATRA plus later chemotherapy, 89% with ATRA plus initial chemotherapy, and 86% with ATRA plus initial and later chemotherapy). At a median follow-up of 45 months, the predicted 6-year overall and event-free survival (EFS) rates for all patients were 65% and 52%, respectively. Favorable prognostic factors for CR were younger age, no or mild purpura, high serum total protein level, low lactate dehydrogenase level, and no or mild disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Favorable prognostic factors for EFS were leukocyte counts < 10.0x10(9)/l, mild DIC, and no sepsis during induction therapy. In the JALSG APL97 study, we intensified chemotherapy for patients with leukocyte counts > or =3.0x10(9)/l, and are randomly testing whether further chemotherapy is required for APL patients with negative PCR for PML/retinoic acid receptor alpha in the maintenance phase.

Leukemia -- Treatment / Management

APL: APL patients typically present with bleeding diathesis with increased coagulation parameters (elevated PT, aPTT) and low fibrinogen. Peripheral smear shows a predominance of myeloid blasts with Auer rods. It is important to start the treatment with ATRA (all-trans-retinoic acid) when APL is suspected rather than awaiting confirmatory tests with FISH. ATRA advances arrested promyeloblasts into becoming mature granulocytes which can result in differentiation syndrome. [17] Differentiation syndrome is seen during 48 hours of ATRA initiation to even three weeks from starting therapy for APL. Patients have a fever, respiratory distress with acute pulmonary infiltration on imaging, and capillary leak resulting in edema. It can mimic sepsis, resulting in delaying the treatment with dexamethasone. The commonly accepted starting dosage is 10mg every 12 hours till improvement in symptoms and counts. [18] Other significant complication with ATRA includes raised intracranial pressure leading to headaches and significant vision changes from papilledema.

AIDA (all-trans retinoic acid + idarubicin) in newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia: a Gruppo Italiano Malattie Ematologiche Maligne dell'Adulto (GIMEMA) pilot study.

From March 1993 to October 1993, 20 consecutive, newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients from 13 Italian institutions entered in a pilot study named AIDA, combining all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) with idarubicin (IDA). ATRA was administered orally beginning on the first day of induction at the dosage of 45 mg/m2/d until complete remission (CR), whereas IDA was administered intravenously at the dosage of 12 mg/m2/d on days 2, 4, 6, and 8 of the induction. Patients who achieved CR were consolidated with 3 courses of chemotherapy without ATRA; thereafter, they were followed up for molecular and hematologic CR. The median age was 35.3 years (range, 6.5 to 67.6 years); 8 patients were males and 12 females; 4 had the hypogranular variant of APL (M3v), and 4 (2 with M3v) presented with leukocyte counts > or = 10,000/microL. Molecular analysis for the promyelocytic leukemia-retinoic acid receptor alpha (PML-RAR alpha) hybrid gene at diagnosis was performed in 16 patients by means of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis, and all were RT-PCR+ for the hybrid gene. In the remaining 4 patients, the cytogenetic study showed the presence of the t(15;17). After a median time of 36 days (range, 28 to 52 days) 18 (90%) patients achieved CR; the remaining 2 patients died 12 and 34 days after diagnosis from myocardial infarction caused by fungal myocarditis and from massive hemoptysis, respectively. ATRA syndrome was observed in only 2 patients, and, after the prompt discontinuation of ATRA and initiation of dexamethasone, both recovered from the syndrome. However, after recovering, 1 patient achieved CR, whereas the other died at day 34 because of massive hemoptysis; other side effects were very limited. At recovery from the third consolidation course, only 3 of 14 (21.4%) tested patients were RT-PCR+ for the PML-RAR alpha hybrid gene. Of these, 2 relapsed shortly afterwards; however, in the last patient, the PML-RAR alpha disappeared at successive testing performed 2 months later. As of September 30, 1995, after a median follow-up period from diagnosis of 27 months (range, 24 to 31 months), the overall survival and event-free survival durations are 85% and 69%, respectively; moreover, 14 of 18 (78%) patients who achieved CR are still alive and in first molecular and hematologic CR. Of the 4 relapsed patients, 3 achieved a second CR with ATRA and, after further treatment, are now in molecular and hematologic CR after 4+, 16+, and 17+ months from the second CR. These results indicate that (1) the AIDA protocol is highly effective in treating APL; (2) after 3 consolidation courses, the majority of patients who achieved CR are RT-PCR- for the hybrid gene PML-RAR alpha; (3) the persistence of an RT-PCR positivity for the PML-RAR alpha hybrid gene after 3 consolidation courses is indicative of early relapse, thus these patients still require additional treatment. These results have prompted the Gruppo Italiano Malattie Ematologiche Maligne dell'Adulto (GIMEMA) to initiate, in cooperation with the Associazione Italiana di Ematologia ed Oncologia Pediatrica and some European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) centers, a new multicentric clinical trial named AIDA LAP 0493 for the treatment of adult and pediatric APL patients. All patients are considered eligible if APL diagnosis is confirmed with molecular or cytogenetic studies for PML-RAR alpha hybrid gene or t(15;17) and are enrolled to receive the same induction and consolidation therapy of this pilot study. After consolidation, patients who are RT-PCR- for PML-RAR alpha hybrid gene are randomized to four arms, whereas patients who are RT-PCR+ after consolidation undergo, if eligible, an allogenic transplantation procedure.

Pancytopenia

Diagnosis Pancytopenia usually requires a bone marrow biopsy in order to distinguish among different causes. anemia: hemoglobin < 13.5 g/dL (male) or 12 g/dL (female). leukopenia: total white cell count < 4.0 x 109/L. Decrease in all types of white blood cells (revealed by doing a differential count). thrombocytopenia: platelet count < 150×109/L. Treatment Treatment is done to address the underlying cause. To tide over immediate crisis Blood transfusion with packed red blood cells (PRBC) or platelet transfusion may be done. Sometimes there are obvious clinical clues to suggest underlying B12 deficiency for a cause of pancytopenia. In this selected cases even with severe anemia blood product transfusions can be avoided and vitamin B12 treatment itself suffice. In other situations like acute leukemia, Myelodysplastic syndrome, aplastic anemia etc. disease specific therapy is needed. References External links EID Journal (Volume 6, Number 6), CDC, December 2000.

Hairy cell leukemia

Treatment Several treatments are available, and successful control of the disease is common. Not everyone needs treatment immediately. Treatment is usually given when the symptoms of the disease interfere with the patient's everyday life, or when white blood cell or platelet counts decline to dangerously low levels, such as an absolute neutrophil count below 1000 cells per microliter (1.0 K/μL). Not all patients need treatment immediately upon diagnosis.

Arsenic trioxide

Uses Medical Arsenic trioxide is used to treat a type of cancer known as acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). It may be used both in cases that are unresponsive to other agents, such as all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) or as part of the initial treatment of newly diagnosed cases. This initial treatment may include combination therapy of arsenic trioxide with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). Effectiveness appears similar to Realgar/Indigo naturalis, which can be taken by mouth and is less expensive but is less available. In the 1970s, Chinese researcher Zhang Tingdong and colleagues discovered this use. It was approved for leukemia treatment in the United States in 2000. University of Hong Kong developed a liquid form of arsenic trioxide that can be given by mouth. Organoarsenic compounds, such as feed additives (roxarsone) and medication (neosalvarsan), are derived from arsenic trioxide.

[Complete remission of acute promyelocytic leukemia resisting all-trans retinoic acid of one case treated by tanshinone II A].

A 30 years-old man was administrated with dizziness and fatigue for half month, and the big toe on his left foot got the prolonged bleeding of wound complicated with fever 7 days before the admission. The physical examination (PE) discovered that the case suffered from the anemic appearance, lower part tenderness of sternum, petechiae and purpura on skin of lower extremities, and with remaining not to be remarkable. The examination of blood routine showed WBC 2.3 x 10(9)/L, Hb 60/L, BPC 34 x 10(9)/L and blasts 0. 85. The bone marrow smear indicated markedly the hypercellularity, promyelocytes 89% and strongly positive myeloperoxidase (MPO). The PT and APTT were prolonged, and the FDP and D-dimer were positive. The acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) with DIC was diagnosed. The patient was administered with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) with dosage of 20 mg three times per day. After 14 week treatment, the patient did not get complete remission. Then the tanshinone II A was taken orally with 30mg twice each day. After 8 week treatment of tanshinone II A, the blood routine was restored to normal. Four weeks later, the bone marrow also became normally, and the patient got a complete remission (CR). After more than 3 months of consolidation therapy with tanshinone II A, the patient was relapsed. When the homoharringtonine and cytarabine (HA) were given, the patient was got CR again. Three years later, he was relapsed secondarily, and then died of intracranial hemorrhage. The tanshinone II A could induce CR of APL with ATRA resistance, no side effect was observed; there is a reoccurring possibility from consolidation therapy with tanshinone II A.

Co-expression of t(15;17) and t(8;21) in a Case of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: Review of the Literature.

Additional chromosomal abnormalities in acute myelogenous leukemia have been identified as one of the most important prognostic factors. Favorable chromosomal changes such as t(8;21), inv(16), and t(15;17) are associated with higher rates of complete remission and event-free survival. Translocation (15;17) characterizes acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) (French-American-British class M3) in almost all patients. Secondary chromosomal abnormalities are also present in approximately 23%-29% of patients with newly diagnosed APL. The prognostic implications of t(8;21) and other secondary cytogenetic aberrations in APL are reviewed here. We present a 47-year-old woman diagnosed with APL whose initial cytogenetic analysis included both t(8;21) and t(15;17). The initial induction chemotherapy included 3 days of idarubicin (12 mg/m2/day) and daily all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA; 45 mg/m2/day). At the sixth week of treatment, a control bone marrow biopsy was found to be normocellular, t(15;17) bcr3 and t(8;21) were negative, and t(15;17) bcr1 fusion transcripts were reduced from 5007 (1.78525699%) copies per 1 µg RNA to 40 (0.00062020%) with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Consolidation with 4 days of idarubicin (5 mg/m2/day), ATRA (45 mg/m2/day for 15 days), and cytarabine (1 g/m2/day for 4 days) was then started. However, the patient became pancytopenic and had neutropenic fever after consolidation treatment. Unfortunately, she died 3 months after the time of APL diagnosis, due to acute respiratory distress syndrome-like respiratory problems and multiorgan dysfunction requiring respiratory support and hemodialysis. None declared.

[Late and slow diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukemias--the main cause of early death].

Acute hypergranular promyelocytic leukemia (AML M3) belongs to malignant diseases leading very rapidly to death. Immediate treatment based on early diagnosis may cure one third of patients. The typical finding in peripheral blood of patients is pancytopenia with or without atypical promyelocytes. In published studies only 15-25% patients exhibit leukocyte counts above 10 x 10(9)/l. Five of our ten patients studied had leukocyte count above 10 x 10(9)/l. The difference might be in connection with late and slow diagnosis of AML M3. AML is not taken into consideration during medical examination even if the disease occurs in medical family. Thus we describe clinical signs of AML M3 that could be divided into three main groups: bleeding, infections and anemia. In patients with bleeding or anemia or with infections repeating within a short period or with an infection and concurrent signs of bleeding or anemia the complete blood cell count should be examined immediately. If blood cell count abnormalities are found the patient should be sent immediately to hematology unit for further examination and treatment. Early diagnosis enables to start "differentiation therapy" with all-trans retinoic acid that could be administered as monotherapy only in patients with leukocytes below 5 x 10(9)/l. Early diagnosis of AML M3 might ameliorate the fate of patients, since four of our five patients referred to us with elevated leukocyte counts expired in the first five days.

[Therapy of disseminated intravascular coagulation in acute promyelocytic leukemias. Apropos of 19 cases].

To evaluate our experience in the treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) associated to AML-M3 with substitution therapy with or without heparin. The clinical records of 19 patients diagnosed of AML-M3 in the Hospital Juan Canalejo, in La Coruña, between 1986 and 1991 were revised. DIC was defined by abnormalities in one or more of the following: prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastic time, thrombin time, fibrinogenaemia, fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products, D-dimers. The treatment given to 13 patients was only substitutive including platelets, fresh-frozen plasma, cryoprecipitates and antithrombin III. Low-dose sodium heparin (Kabi) in continuous intravenous infusion was associated to the treatment of the remaining 6 patients. With regard to the leukaemic therapy, most of the patients received daunorubicin, 2 mg/kg/day x 5 days, and AraC, 100 mg/Kg/day x 7 days. All patients showed haemorrhagic symptoms at diagnosis, and laboratory data of DIC were present in 11 cases (57%). The mean duration of DIC was 6.5 days for the patients receiving substitutive treatment and 9.5 days for those given heparin. Complete remission (CR) of the leukaemia was attained in 12 cases (63%); of the patients treated with heparin, 50% achieved CR whereas 75% of those receiving substitute therapy attained CR. The 24-months survival rate was 30% for the patients treated with substitutive therapy and 16% for those treated with heparin. The incidence of death associated to haemorrhage during induction therapy was 30% for the substitutive treatment group and 50% for the heparin group. Shorter duration of DIC, lesser rate of early death, higher CR rate and longer 2-year survival were found in those AML-M3 patients not receiving heparin.

Current routine practice and clinico-pathological characteristics associated with acute promyelocytic leukemia in Korea.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) can be life threatening, necessitating emergency therapy with prompt diagnosis by morphologic findings, immunophenotyping, cytogenetic analysis, or molecular studies. This study aimed to assess the current routine practices in APL and the clinico-pathologic features of APL. We reviewed the medical records of 48 Korean patients (25 men, 23 women; median age, 51 (20-80) years) diagnosed with APL in 5 university hospitals between March 2007 and February 2012. The WBC count at diagnosis and platelet count varied from 0.4 to 81.0 (median 2.0)×10(9)/L and 2.7 to 124.0 (median 54.5)×10(9)/L, respectively. The median values for prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were 14.7 (11.3-44.1) s and 29 (24-62) s, respectively. All but 2 patients (96%) showed a fibrin/fibrinogen degradation product value of >20 µg/mL. The D-dimer median value was 5,000 (686-55,630) ng/mL. The t(15;17)(q22;q12 and PML-RARA fusion was found in all patients by chromosome analysis and/or multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), with turnaround times of 8 (2-19) d and 7 (2-13) d, respectively. All patients received induction chemotherapy: all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) alone (N=11, 26%), ATRA+idarubicin (N=25, 58%), ATRA+cytarabine (N=3, 7%), ATRA+idarubicin+cytarabine (N=4, 9%). Since APL is a medical emergency and an accurate diagnosis is a prerequisite for prompt treatment, laboratory support to implement faster diagnostic tools to confirm the presence of PML-RARA is required.

Gangrenous cheilitis associated with all-trans retinoic acid therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia.

A 67-year-old Japanese woman who presented with erythema on the abdomen and pancytopenia was found to have acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). A skin biopsy revealed invasion of APL cells. She was started on induction treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) at 45 mg/m(2). On day 4, the leukemic cell number had increased to over 1.0 x 10(9)/L. Consequently, chemotherapy with idarubicin and cytarabine was initiated. On day 10, dryness of the lips appeared. The lower lip swelled and developed painful black eschars. A high fever was also present. Despite discontinuing ATRA on day 20 and administering antibiotics, an anti-fungal agent and valaciclovir, these signs did not improve. Histopathologically, the biopsied lip revealed infiltration of neutrophils and vasculitis. The patient was given ATRA on days 29 and 30 due to an increase in APL cell numbers, after which the gangrenous cheilitis extended over the whole lip. On day 49, the patient was started on re-induction treatment with arsenic trioxide. She achieved complete remission and the gangrenous cheilitis slowly healed over the following 8 weeks. Since the clinical features of the gangrenous cheilitis in this case were similar to those of ATRA-associated scrotal ulcers, it appears that activated neutrophils derived from differentiated APL cells may have caused the gangrenous cheilitis. Physicians should be alert to the development of gangrenous cheilitis during treatment with ATRA.