Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Harboring STAT3::RARA Fusion: Current Summary

Atypical acute promyelocytic leukemia (aAPL) is a rare variant of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) defined by the lack of the typical PML::RARA fusion gene but instead involving alternative RARs rearrangements. Among these, the STAT3::RARA fusion has been identified, with all documented cases showing absolute resistance to ATRA treatment and associated with unfavorable prognosis. The STAT3::RARA fusion has been increasingly reported in recent years, indicating its recurrent nature. Recently, the identification of the tripartite STAT3::RARA::TE (TE, transposable element) fusion has provided insights into the molecular basis of ATRA resistance. Given these findings, an interim summary is timely.