Effect of retinoic acid treatment on cytogenetic remission of chronic myeloid leukaemia.

The cytogenetic responses during the first chronic phase of 11 patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) treated with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) + interferon (IFN) were compared with those of 9 other CML patients treated with IFN alone. Metaphase and interphase cytogenetics and a semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to evaluate the cytogenetic responses. Two of the 11 patients in the ATRA + IFN group were withdrawn, one of them because of IFN intolerance, and the other because of non-compliance. Of the 9 remaining ATRA + IFN-treated patients 6 exhibited major cytogenetic responses, 3 of which were complete. Of the 9 patients treated with IFN alone, only 2 showed major cytogenetic responses. No severe adverse effects were observed. The preliminary results suggest that the ATRA + IFN combination may be superior in achieving cytogenetic remission in the first chronic phase of CML. Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel