What is “acute promyelocytic leukemia” (APL)?
Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a subtype of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), defined by the World Heath Organization classification. It is caused by a specific translocation between parts of two chromosomes. This translocation prevents myeloid cells from developing into mature white blood cells, leading to an abundance of abnormal, immature cells. The cancerous cells eventually crowd out the healthy blood cells needed for the body to function normally. Ten to 15 percent of adult AML patients will have the APL subtype.
