Bone marrow transplantation is a well established modality of treatment for oncologic, hematolologic and immunologic diseases, however the recurrence is the main cause of treatment failure . The variables regarding to selection, conditioning and follow up should be analyzed since them can influence it in a fundamental manner. The early diagnosis of relapse is sustented by the ability to detect the minimal residual disease. The methodology using flowcitometry, conventional cytogenetic, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) allow the diagnosis of these residual clone that are responsible for relapse. L.M.S.O., 54 year old lady, was diagnosed with promyelocitic leukemia (AML M3) in 1997. She was submitted to an autologous bone marrow transplantation in 09/01/98 as consolidation therapy. Two years after the transplant she was diagnosed with a molecular relapse by RT-PCR sequentially performed. The use of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) was able to induce a new molecular remission. The mechanism of action of ATRA to induce remission in AML M3 is not well established. This drug can be use in relapse. In the case that was presented, the early diagnosis that leaded to this good result happened because of a well planned post transplant evaluation. These variables of selection, conditioning and follow up should be well studied to plan an adequate and prolonged post transplant follow up, allowing better results with the procedure.
Leukemia; promyelocitic leukemia; bone marrow transplantation