All-trans-retinoic acid syndrome

Changed by Daniel J Bell, 27 Apr 2022
Disclosures - updated 24 Apr 2022: Nothing to disclose

Updates to Article Attributes

Body was changed:

All-trans-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) syndrome, more recently known as differentiation syndrome (DS) 8, is a condition that can occur with patients with acute promyelocytic leukaemia who are on therapeutic all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA).

All-trans-retinoic-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is a normal constituent of plasma that is derived physiologically by intracellular oxidation of plasma retinol that has been absorbed from the intestines. ATRA is also used as an accepted therapy for acute promyelocytic leukaemia. ATRA can differentiate acute promyelocytic leukaemia blasts into mature granulocytes.

Clinical presentation

It is characterised by fever, respiratory distress, pleural and pericardial effusion, weight gain, and pulmonary infiltrates noted on chest radiography.

Radiographic features

Will depend on the system involved although many of the features are described in relation to the lungs.

Plain radiograph

Although the chest radiographic features are not specific, in the context of an appropriate clinical history, they may aid in early recognition of the ATRA syndrome. Recognised chest radiographic features that can be part of the ATRA syndrome include: 

In addition, chest radiography may show nodules and consolidation. 

CT

CT features may not be specific and the clinical context is extremely useful in image interpretation. According to one study, the most consistent CT chest findings were small, irregular peripheral nodules in the lungs along with pleural effusions 5.

Treatment and prognosis

Early intervention with high dose corticosteroids is thought to abort progression. While most patients do well the occurrence of ATRA syndrome was associated with lower event-free survival.

History and etymology

It was first described in 1991 by Frankel et al. 1-3,7.

See also

  • -<p><strong>All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) syndrome</strong>, more recently known as <strong>differentiation syndrome (DS) </strong><sup>8</sup>, is a condition that can occur with patients with <a href="/articles/acute-promyelocytic-leukemia">acute promyelocytic leukaemia</a> who are on therapeutic all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA).</p><p>All-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) is a normal constituent of plasma that is derived physiologically by intracellular oxidation of plasma retinol that has been absorbed from the intestines. ATRA is also used as an accepted therapy for <a href="/articles/acute-promyelocytic-leukemia">acute promyelocytic leukaemia</a>. ATRA can differentiate acute promyelocytic leukaemia blasts into mature granulocytes.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>It is characterised by fever, respiratory distress, pleural and pericardial effusion, weight gain, and pulmonary infiltrates noted on chest radiography.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>Will depend on the system involved although many of the features are described in relation to the lungs.</p><h5>Plain radiograph</h5><p>Although the chest radiographic features are not specific, in the context of an appropriate clinical history, they may aid in early recognition of the ATRA syndrome. Recognised chest radiographic features that can be part of the ATRA syndrome include: </p><ul>
  • +<p><strong>All-<em>trans</em> retinoic acid (ATRA) syndrome</strong>, more recently known as <strong>differentiation syndrome </strong><sup>8</sup>, is a condition that can occur with patients with <a href="/articles/acute-promyelocytic-leukemia">acute promyelocytic leukaemia</a> who are on therapeutic all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA).</p><p>All-<em>trans </em>retinoic acid (ATRA) is a normal constituent of plasma that is derived physiologically by intracellular oxidation of plasma retinol that has been absorbed from the intestines. ATRA is also used as an accepted therapy for <a href="/articles/acute-promyelocytic-leukemia">acute promyelocytic leukaemia</a>. ATRA can differentiate acute promyelocytic leukaemia blasts into mature granulocytes.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>It is characterised by fever, respiratory distress, pleural and pericardial effusion, weight gain, and pulmonary infiltrates noted on chest radiography.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>Will depend on the system involved although many of the features are described in relation to the lungs.</p><h5>Plain radiograph</h5><p>Although the chest radiographic features are not specific, in the context of an appropriate clinical history, they may aid in early recognition of the ATRA syndrome. Recognised chest radiographic features that can be part of the ATRA syndrome include: </p><ul>
  • -<li><a href="/articles/septal-lines-in-lung">septal lines</a></li>
  • +<li><a href="/articles/septal-lines-in-lung-1">septal lines</a></li>
  • -</ul><p>In addition, chest radiography may show nodules and consolidation. </p><h5>CT</h5><p>CT features may not be specific and the clinical context is extremely useful in image interpretation. According to one study, the most consistent CT chest findings were small, irregular peripheral nodules in the lungs along with pleural effusions <sup>5</sup>.</p><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>Early intervention with high dose corticosteroids is thought to abort progression. While most patients do well the occurrence of ATRA syndrome was associated with lower event-free survival.</p><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>It was first described in 1991 by <strong>Frankel</strong> et al. <sup>1-3,7</sup>.</p><h4>See also</h4><ul>
  • -<li><a title="Leukaemia" href="/articles/leukaemia">leukaemia</a></li>
  • -<li><a href="/articles/leukaemia-pulmonary-manifestations">pulmonary manifestations of leukaemia</a></li>
  • +</ul><p>In addition, chest radiography may show nodules and consolidation. </p><h5>CT</h5><p>CT features may not be specific and the clinical context is extremely useful in image interpretation. According to one study, the most consistent CT chest findings were small, irregular peripheral nodules in the lungs along with pleural effusions <sup>5</sup>.</p><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>Early intervention with high dose corticosteroids is thought to abort progression. While most patients do well the occurrence of ATRA syndrome was associated with lower event-free survival.</p><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>It was first described in 1991 by Frankel et al. <sup>1-3,7</sup>.</p><h4>See also</h4><ul>
  • +<li><a href="/articles/leukaemia">leukaemia</a></li>
  • +<li><a href="/articles/leukaemia-thoracic-manifestations">pulmonary manifestations of leukaemia</a></li>

Updates to Synonym Attributes

Title was changed:
Differentiation syndrome (DS)
Slug changed from differentiation-syndrome to differentiation-syndrome-ds.

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