Outcomes in obese patients undergoing induction therapy for acute leukemia.

Obesity continues to be a growing epidemic in the United States. Guidelines published by American Society of Clinical Oncology in 2012 recommend dosing chemotherapy using actual body weight. However, the guidelines do not provide guidance for patients with hematologic malignancies.

Arsenic trioxide as first-line treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Purpose: The history, clinical pharmacology and toxicities, and role of arsenic trioxide as a first-line agent for treating acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) are described.

Summary: APL is most often characterized by the hallmark reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 15 and 17, leading to the fusion of the promyelocytic gene and retinoic acid receptor alpha. Arsenic's therapeutic utility as an antileukemic agent was first described in the late 18th century.