Dr. Waxman on Advancements in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia

Samuel Waxman, MD, Distinguished Service Professor of Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology, Distinguished Service Professor of Oncological Sciences, Mount Sinai Health System, discusses advancements in treating patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).

APL went from being a 100% fatal disease to being 95% curable, Waxman explains. Over years of studying the disease, there has been a novel concept in treating APL, a leukemia now known to be treatable with two minimally toxic agents, known as all trans retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide. In combination alone, without chemotherapy, it is predicted that more than 85% to 90% of patients can be treated.

Another interesting characteristic of treating APL, Waxman says, is that therapy can be administered to patients of varying ages with equal efficacy and without toxicities associated with chemotherapy.

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