Severe Aplastic Anemia Manifesting After Complete Remission of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: Is it a Fortuitous Association?

Acute leukemia, secondary myelodysplasia and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria evolving from severe aplastic anemia (AA) following immunosuppressive therapy are well recognized. However, severe AA occurring after complete remission of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has been documented only once in 2009. We report a case of 30-year-old male diagnosed with APL who achieved complete cytogenetic remission with all-trans retinoic acid based induction regimen and developed severe AA few months later during maintenance therapy.