[Significance of L-asparaginase activity and biochemical parameters evaluation in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia]

Przegl Lek. 2006;63(1):44-6.
[Article in Polish]

Abstract

L-asparaginase is one of the most important agent used in multidrug chemotherapy regimens in the treatment of malignancies which derive from lymphoid system (acute lymhoblastic leukemias and non-hodgkin lymphoma). L-asparaginase leads to enzymatic cleavage of L-asparagine (amino acid essential for lymphoblasts' growth) to ammonia and L-aspartic acid, what results in depletion of L-asparagine in a serum and cerebrospinal fluid, and finally leads to destruction of lymphoblasts, which lack ability of endogenic L-asparagine production. In the course of L-asparaginase therapy severe side effects could be observed such as: coagulation disturbances, acute pancreatitis, anaphilactic shock and other types of allergic reaction, as well as liver and CNS failure. Monitoring of L-asparaginase activity in serum is recomended in order to optimalize therapy with L-asparaginase and reducing risk of severe side effects. Continuous assessment of L-asparaginase activity during therapy gives also opportunity to detect asymptomatic inactivation of L-ASPA - so called "silent inactivation", which is cused by production of antibodies against xenogenic protein, especcialy in IgG class. This process leads to shortening of half-life of L-ASPA. The paper shows presently available monitoring methods during therapy with L-ASPA, with all their pros and cons.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Asparaginase / metabolism*
  • Asparaginase / therapeutic use*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Drug Monitoring
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / drug therapy*
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / metabolism
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / drug therapy*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / metabolism*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Asparaginase