Predictors for early death in paediatric patients with acute promyelocytic leukaemia

Dr Abla talks to ecancertv at ASH 2015 about an international, retrospective study looking at the incidence of and predictors for early death in paediatric patients with acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL).

APL is a rare subtype of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in children, Dr Abla explains and although the prognosis for those affected has improved over the years, a small proportion of children still die very early on in the disease course.

The study considered data on more than 700 children and found the overall incidence of early death was 6.3%.

Results support the early oral use of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), Dr Abla suggests.