On arsenic trioxide in the clinical treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia

Arsenic is generally considered hypertoxic. However, it has been used in traditional Chinese medicine since ancient times, to treat serious illnesses. Recently, a single dose of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) has been found especially effective in treating acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Generally speaking, As2O3 is a more effective treatment of APL than other, newer medications and has less severe adverse reactions and greater safety.