Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 20, 2026
Modeling Chemotherapy Resistant Leukemia In Vitro
Published on: February 9, 2016
[In vitro study on arsenic trioxide-inducing apoptosis in primary acute promyelocytic leukemie cells]
1Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai 200025.
Objective:
To illustrate mechanisms of arsenic trioxide(As2O3) in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).
Methods:
Cell-DNA content distribution, CD11b and CD33 antigens and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction were evaluated in fresh APL cells from six APL patients treated in vitro with As2O3.
Results:
As2O3 had double effects on the cells inducing apoptosis and inducing partial differentiation at higher and at lower drug concentrations, respectively. As2O3 (0.1 approximately 2.0 micromol/L) could rapidly modulate and degrade APL-specific marker molecule PML-RARalpha protein, which could play an important role in the effects of As2O3 on APL cells.
Conclusion:
As2O3 had double effects (induction of apoptosis and partial differentiation) on APL cells through the modulation and degradation of PML-RARalpha proteins.
