II. Indications
- FDA approved (adults and children age >5 years old)
- Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL, refractory)
- Off-Label
III. Mechanism
- Small-molecule Arsenic-based antineoplastic (As2O3)
- Also used in manufacturing (wood preservatives, Pesticides, and glass)
- Degrades the PML Protein-Retinoic Acid receptor alpha fusion Protein (PML/RARa)
- Inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis of APL cells (as well as other cancer cells)
- Promotes dell differentiation and Angiogenesis
IV. Dosing
- See other references for disease specific dosing protocols
V. Adverse Effects
- APL Differentiation Syndrome
- Presents with fever and Dyspnea
- Signs include Pulmonary Infiltrates, Pleural Effusions, Pericardial Effusions, weight gain, Cardiomyopathy, Hypotension
- EKG Abnormalities
- Gastrointestinal
- Miscellaneous
VI. Safety
- Avoid in Lactation
- Avoid in pregnancy (all trimesters)
- Use reliable Contraception
- Monitoring
VII. Safety
- Avoid in Lactation
- Avoid in pregnancy (all trimesters)
- Use reliable Contraception
VIII. Resources
- Arsenic Trioxide (DailyMed)
Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)
Related Studies
Definition (NCI_NCI-GLOSS) | A drug used to treat acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) that has not gotten better or that has come back after treatment with other anticancer drugs. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. |
Definition (NCI) | A small-molecule arsenic compound with antineoplastic activity. The mechanism of action of arsenic trioxide is not completely understood. This agent causes damage to or degradation of the promyelocytic leukemia protein/retinoic acid receptor-alpha (PML/RARa) fusion protein; induces apoptosis in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells and in many other tumor cell types; promotes cell differentiation and suppresses cell proliferation in many different tumor cell types; and is pro-angiogenic. (NCI04) |
Definition (PDQ) | A small-molecule arsenic compound with antineoplastic activity. The mechanism of action of arsenic trioxide is not completely understood. This agent causes damage to or degradation of the promyelocytic leukemia protein/retinoic acid receptor-alpha (PML/RARa) fusion protein; induces apoptosis in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells and in many other tumor cell types; promotes cell differentiation and suppresses cell proliferation in many different tumor cell types; and is pro-angiogenic. Check for "http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?id=43067&idtype=1" active clinical trials or "http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?id=43067&idtype=1&closed=1" closed clinical trials using this agent. ("http://nciterms.nci.nih.gov:80/NCIBrowser/ConceptReport.jsp?dictionary=NCI_Thesaurus&code=C1005" NCI Thesaurus) |
Concepts | Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Inorganic Chemical (T197) , Hazardous or Poisonous Substance (T131) |
MSH | C006632 |
SnomedCT | 400907001, 72251000 |
LNC | LP19295-2, MTHU008146 |
English | arsenic(III) oxide, arsenous anhydride, diarsenic trioxide, Arsenic Sesquioxide, Arsenous Acid Anhydride, Arsenous Oxide, White Arsenic, Arsenic (III) Oxide, arsenic trioxide, arsenic trioxide (medication), ARSENIC TRIOXIDE, arsenic trioxide [Chemical/Ingredient], Arsenic Trioxide, Arsenic trioxide, Arsenous oxide, White arsenic, Arsenic trioxide (product), Arsenic trioxide (substance), AS2O3 |
Spanish | arsénico blanco, trióxido de arsénico (producto), trióxido de arsénico (sustancia), trióxido de arsénico, óxido arsenoso |