The evolution of arsenic in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia and other myeloid neoplasms: Moving toward an effective oral, outpatient therapy

The therapeutic potential of arsenic derivatives has long been recognized and was recently rediscovered in modern literature. Early studies demonstrated impressive activity of this compound in patients with relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Over the last 2 decades, intravenous arsenic trioxide has been used successfully, both alone and in combination with other agents, for the treatment of APL and, with some success, of other myeloid neoplasms. Arsenic trioxide is currently part the standard of care for patients with APL. More recently, oral formulations of this compound have been developed and are entering clinical practice. In this review, the authors discuss the evolution of arsenic in the treatment of APL and other myeloid neoplasms. Cancer 2016;122:1160-8. (c) 2015 American Cancer Society. Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is part of the standard of care for patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia. Oral formulations of ATO have been developed recently and are entering clinical practice. The authors discuss the evolution of arsenic in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia and other myeloid neoplasms.