Treatment of promyelocytic blast crisis of chronic myelogenous leukemia with all trans-retinoic acid

Two recent reports have described major clinical benefits from all-trans-retinoic acid (tRA) therapy of patients with promyelocytic leukemia (APL). This paper describes the first patient with a blast crisis of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML-BC) who responded to oral tRA therapy. In vitro marrow studies, including clonogenic assays, immunopheno-typing, cytogenetics and premature chromosome condensation together with chromosome painting provided evidence for the in vivo differentiation and maturation of the malignant cells. The patient achieved a partial remission with reversal of all clinical features of disease, including normalization of peripheral blood counts, complete resolution of fever, fatigue and splenomegaly, and marked maturation of the bone marrow. This response to tRA in CML-BC is unique, and broadens the spectrum of diseases which may respond to retinoids.