How we prevent and treat differentiation syndrome in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia

Abstract

Differentiation syndrome (DS), formerly known as retinoic acid syndrome, is a relatively common and potentially severe complication seen in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia treated with alltrans retinoic acid and/or arsenic trioxide. The full-blown syndrome consists of unexplained fever, weight gain, dyspnea with pulmonary infiltrates, pleuropericardial effusion, hypotension, and renal failure. Most measures currently used for management of DS have very little evidencebased support,andtherefore,many remain controversial. Despite the lack of evidence supportingDSprophylaxis, severalgroups have adopted a preventive strategy with corticosteroids,especiallyforpatientswith leukocyte levels higher than from 5 to 10 × 109/L. DS diagnosis should be suspected in the presence of any of the abovementioned signs and symptoms, and preemptive treatment with dexamethasone should be started immediately. Other supportive measures can also be crucial for the correct management of DS, especially in those patients with life-threatening complications. Temporary discontinuation of all-trans retinoic acid or arsenic trioxide is indicated only for patients in very poor clinical condition or with severe renal or pulmonary dysfunction, sometimes requiring admission to the intensive care unit. Recognition of specific biomarkers and a better understanding of DS pathogenesis can be helpful for the development of specific therapies to counteract DS in a timelymanner. © 2014 by The American Society of Hematology.