Realgar transforming solution-induced differentiation of NB4 cell by the degradation of PML/RARα partially through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway.

PML/retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα), as a hallmark of acute promyeloid leukemia (APL), is directly related to the outcome of clinical APL remedy. It is reported that arsenicals can effectively degrade PML/RARα, such as arsenic trioxide and realgar. However, the high toxicity or insolubility have hampered their clinical applications.