Why is ATRA Effective in Treating Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL)?
APL is characterized by a specific genetic translocation t(15;17), resulting in the PML-RARA fusion gene. This fusion gene produces an abnormal receptor that blocks cell differentiation. ATRA targets and binds to this abnormal receptor, reversing the differentiation block and allowing cancer cells to mature into normal blood cells.
