APL is the first leukemia in which in vitro maturation was regularly inducible. APL serves as a model of acute leukemia in which the failure of maturation is due to a block in transcription due to a fusion gene product formed as a result of a translocation t(15;17). This protein exerts a dominant inhibitory effect on the wildtype allele. Treatment with all trans retinoic acid (ATRA) induces maturation in APL cells which then disappear by senescense. Remission is thus induced without cytotoxicity . ATRA also rapidly terminates disseminated intravascular coagulation , the cause of death in about 50% of patients before ATRA became available. Arsenic compounds also induce maturation in APL .
| When you have finished with the program, you may close this window, or return to the previous web page using your browser's "Back" button. |