History of promyelocytic leukaemia

The first reports on promyelocytic leukaemia came from Norway and France in 1957. Little by little, acute promyelocytic leukaemia acquired its rightful place in nosology as a hyperacute, invariable and rapidly fatal disease. In 1973, a high frequency of complete remissions induced by strong doses of daunorubicin and an acceptable frequency of true recovery, was demonstrated. After these preliminary events, the history of promyelocytic leukaemia was that of an important discovery: the first remissions of human acute leukaemia were obtained by cell differentiation, as all-trans retinoic acid induces complete remission of acute promyelocytic leukaemia in nearly all cases. The consequences of the discovery are discussed. For the long or middle term, we can hope for improved understanding of the action of retinoic acid, and possibly the preparation of new compounds with longer efficiency.