Summary
Like all scripting languages so and oracle sql has its escape character. If you execute in E-Business Suite
select * from all_tables where table_name like 'AP_%';
The results will not be all tables starting with AP_* as might be expected but all table starting with AP*
Now put the escape character at your statement to get exactly what you want.
select * from all_tables where table_name like 'AP<_%' ESCAPE '<';