Arsenic Trioxide: Leukemia treatment & Drug list
Arsenic Trioxide is an antineoplastic agent historically known as a poison but served as a "gold standard" in modern medicine for treating specific forms of leukemia. The drug induces morphological changes and DNA fragmentation in cancer cells, leading to their death (apoptosis).
This substance is effective where standard chemotherapy may fail. On Unifarm, you can find a list of specialized medications containing this active ingredient.
Indications
- Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL): In adult patients.
- Relapsed or Refractory Leukemia: Prescribed for patients whose disease has returned after retinoid and anthracycline therapy, or if previous therapy was ineffective.
Dosage and administration
The medication is administered via intravenous infusion in a hospital setting under strict medical supervision. Infusion typically takes 1–2 hours.
Typical Regimen (Induction and Consolidation):
- The standard dose is 0.15 mg/kg of body weight daily.
- Administered daily until remission is achieved (but not exceeding 60 days).
- Subsequent consolidation cycles are given with breaks (e.g., 25 doses over 5 weeks).
The treatment schedule may be adjusted based on toxicity and patient response.
- Hypersensitivity to arsenic.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding (teratogenic effects).
- Children (safety and efficacy not fully established; used with caution).
- Severe cardiac rhythm disorders (especially QT prolongation).
Therapy requires constant monitoring of ECG and blood electrolytes:
- Cardiac: QT interval prolongation, tachycardia (requires monitoring to prevent arrhythmia).
- APL Differentiation Syndrome: A dangerous condition characterized by fever, dyspnea, and weight gain (requires immediate steroid treatment).
- Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain.
- General: Fatigue, hyperglycemia, elevated liver enzymes.
