Binds to Retinoic Acid Receptor-Promyelocytic Leukemia Complex (RAR-PML) Protein
Promotes differentiation of myeloid precursors and stimulates maturation of leukemic cells
Decreases disseminated Intravascular coagulation (DIC) and hemorrhagic complications during APML treatment
Toxicity
Probably due to cytokine release by leukemic cells or enhanced integrin expression on maturing granuloctyes (ATRA causes in vivo maturation of leukemic cells into more normal appearing granulocytes) causing adherence to vascular endothelium and migration into tissues