Oral arsenic trioxide for relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia in pediatric patients

Four patients (age 3-11 years at diagnosis) with relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), 12-38 months from diagnosis, were treated with oral arsenic trioxide (As(2) O(3) ). One patient was treated with oral As(2) O(3) monotherapy and chemotherapy. Three patients failed initial oral or intravenous As(2) O(3) monotherapy were treated with oral As(2) O(3) plus ATRA followed by long-term oral maintenance (cumulative As(2) O(3) dose 280-2,100 mg). All patients achieved molecular remission, at a median follow up of 122 (10-132) months with no adverse effects. Oral As(2) O(3) , particularly in prolonged maintenance with oral ATRA may obviate the need of stem cell transplantation in relapsed pediatric APL.