Review Paper:
Acute Promyelocytic
Leukemia Unraveled: Biotechnological Approaches in Targeted Therapies and Molecular
Mechanisms - A Review
Nair Arun R., Venkatesan H., Soumya R.S. and Sridevi M.
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 20(7); 204-211;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/207rjbt2040211; (2025)
Abstract
Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL), a rare subclass of hematological disorder of
Acute Myeloid Leukemia, is distinguished due to the existence of promyelocytic leukemia
with retinoic acid receptor (PML-RARα) fusion protein. These fusion proteins will
disturb and manipulate the normal cell differentiation of leukocytes and will navigate
the leukemogenesis. The commencement of target therapies like All-Trans Retinoic
acid in combination with arsenic trioxide has drastically altered the treatment
prospects regarding APL, handing over extraordinary remissions and better survival
outcomes to the medical world.
Biotechnological advancement has elucidated the molecular details of the disease
which has helped in the creation and development of novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic
strategies. Collective actions of ATRA and ATO will disintegrate the PML-RARα fusion
protein, will induce apoptosis and will restore normal cell differentiation, thereby
bringing out the importance of blending medicines in treatment and targeted therapies
in APL management. Over and above, medical biotechnology has unlocked genomic and
proteomic assessment and evaluation and uncovered new genetic aberrations and pathways
with APL. This study also addresses treatment difficulties like relapse and therapeutic
resistance, calling attention to the need for more innovative approaches using biotechnology.
Biotechnology has lifted APL therapeutic management to a new high standard for targeted
therapies in blood-related cancers by integrating molecular biology with clinical
applications.
