The article demonstrates the relative concepts of apoptosis and summarizes the effect of arsenic trioxide to the carcinoma, its possible principle included. Recent development of the reports about arsenic trioxide-induced apoptosis is referred and reviewed. Apoptosis is a natural mechanism and a common physiological death of cell, and its abnormity has great effect on cancer. Arsenic trioxide can induce apoptosis in APL cell and other cancer cells, and has been used in treating the patient with other kinds of malignant cancers. The mechanisms of arsenic trioxide-induced apoptosis are gradually becoming a hotspot, but still not lucid. With intensive study of arsenic trioxide, it can be a useful ways in treating cancer patients in the future.