THP-ADM in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Three patients, diagnosed as acute promyelocytic leukemia and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), were treated with THP-ADM in combination with heparin and intensive platelet transfusion. Two of the three patients achieved complete remission. The remaining one patient also responded favorably to the therapy and achieved marrow aplasia, and significant improvement of coagulopathy was observed after chemotherapy. However, he suddenly died of intractable congestive cardiac disturbance ten days after the completion of THP-ADM induction therapy. The mechanism of this unique delayed anthracycline-associated cardiotoxicity was discussed.