We identified a high frequency of ARID1A mutations, suggesting the involvement of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes in the clinical presentation, acute promyelocytic leukemia‐like morphology and all‐trans retinoic acid/arsenic trioxide treatment resistance of ZBTB16‐RARA rearranged AMLs. This evidence concerns the gene SMARCA1 and acute promyelocytic leukemia.