On arsenic trioxide in the clinical treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia

摘要

Arsenic is generally considered hypertoxic. However, it has been used in traditional Chinese medicine since ancient times, to treat serious illnesses. Recently, a single dose of arsenic trioxide (As 2 O 3 ) has been found especially effective in treating acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Generally speaking, As 2 O 3 is a more effective treatment of APL than other, newer medications and has less severe adverse reactions and greater safety.