Dynamic white blood cell kinetics enable early risk stratification of differentiation syndrome in low- and intermediate-risk acute promyelocytic leukemia

Background

Differentiation syndrome (DS) is a potentially life-threatening complication during induction therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Previous studies have linked white blood cell (WBC) elevation with DS development; however, conventional WBC-based assessment mainly relies on peak values and does not adequately reflect the dynamic pattern or timing of WBC changes. We aimed to develop and internally validate an early warning model for DS based on early WBC kinetics during arsenic trioxide (ATO) induction therapy in patients with low- and intermediate-risk APL.