Patients with APL are prone to experiencing many conditions that may be abnormal for …show more content…
Typically in the first phase, all-trans retinoic acid, ATRA, is given. This substance is similar to vitamin A. It is then combined with standard chemotherapy. In the future, doctors plan to try to use arsenic trioxide during induction with a select group of patients. During the second phase, ATRA, arsenic trioxide, and chemotherapy are given together. The combination of these three drugs are used in attempt to get rid of any cells that may have been inactive during the first phase, but could now start to grow and cause APL to return. The last phase is when chemotherapy and ATRA are given to the patient for about a year to try to avoid a relapse for the