Schematic representation of RA and/or arsenic therapy in APL. (A) Complete PML/RARA degradation by the RA/arsenic combination abrogates self-renewal and clears LICs, yielding APL cure. (B) Incomplete PML/RARA degradation by RA (or arsenic) allows survival of some LICs, yielding APL relapses. These remaining LICs can be cleared by concomitant or subsequent chemotherapy.