Characteristics features and factors influencing early death in Acute promyelocytic leukemia; Experience from United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Inaam Bashir Hassan, Mariam R.Al Zaabi, Arif Alam, Mohammed Jawad Hashim, Martin S. Tallman, Jorgen Kristensen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Although acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a curable hematologic malignancy, early death (ED) remains a significant cause of treatment failure especially in developing countries. In a retrospective data analysis of 67 adult APL patients diagnosed in United Arab Emirates we report an ED rate of 11.9% which is comparable to that reported from more developed countries. We identified the following parameters at presentation as significant predictor of increased ED: Age >40 years (P = 0.015), fever (P = 0.030), WBC count >20 × 109/L (P = 0.010), the breakpoints other than bcr1 (P = 0.043) and fibrinogen level <1.5 g/L (P = 0.025). Delay in ATRA administration beyond 24 h from admission and fibrinogen <150 mg/dL were also significant predictors of ED, but only among high-risk patients (P = 0.035 and P = 0.033, respectively). WBC count >10 × 109/L and expression of HLA-DR (P = 0.018) or CD2 (P = 0.017) were significant predictors for differentiation syndrome (DS) which was found to be a predictor of ED (P = 0.002). Reducing the APL related ED rate in centers with limited resources is feasible provided early initiation of ATRA administration and early correction of coagulopathy in high-risk patients in addition to prompt treatment of DS. To our knowledge this is the first report from the Arabian Gulf describing ED in APL.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)90-98
Number of pages9
JournalInternational Journal of Hematology
Volume106
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 1 2017

Keywords

  • Acute promyelocytic leukemia
  • Early death
  • United Arab Emirates

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hematology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Characteristics features and factors influencing early death in Acute promyelocytic leukemia; Experience from United Arab Emirates (UAE)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this