Arsenic-based treatment holds out new hope for APL patients

Published: 18-Sep-2002


Following the recent EU Commission marketing authorisation, Cell Therapeutics (UK)'s Trisenox (arsenic trioxide) is now available in Austria, Sweden, Denmark and Finland, as well as in France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and the UK. It is said to be an important new treatment option for patients with relapsed/refractory acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).

Trisenox has been designated by the Commission as an orphan drug for use in the treatment of relapsed/refractory APL. It is estimated that more than 20% of APL patients fail to respond to standard treatment, whereas Trisenox produces a complete response in 87% of patients studied.

Trisenox is also being evaluated in other malignancies, including multiple myeloma (MM) and myelodysplasia (MDS). In June 2002, CTI released preliminary Trisenox data indicating clinically significant responses in MM and MDS patients. Additionally, Trisenox was well tolerated. Grade three toxicities were predominantly hematological, occurred infrequently and were easily managed with growth factors.

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