Understanding the Role of All-Trans Retinoic Acid in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells

Our study reveals that ATRA not only promotes broad differentiation of HL60 cells but also orchestrates a targeted reprogramming that synchronizes morphological maturation with distinct immunophenotypic shifts, mediated by transcriptional upregulation of <i>PU.1, RUNX1</i> and <i>CEBPα</i>. This integrative profiling - linking molecular, functional, and morphological parameters - offers a nuanced understanding of the differentiation trajectory and establishes a robust framework for assessing ATRA and other differentiation-based strategies in AML. By delineating these correlations, our findings pave the way for therapeutic approaches that leverage controlled leukemic cell maturation, potentially minimizing the cytotoxic burden associated with conventional chemotherapy.