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Generic Name: Asparaginase
Brand Name(s): Elspar®
IUPAC: Not Applicable: This is an enzyme (protein).
FDA Approval: yes
Manufacturer Link
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Usage: Asparaginase is used in the treatment of acute lymphocytic
leukemia in combination with other drugs primarily in pediatric cases. In 2006 the FDA approved pegaspargase (Oncaspar®) as part of a multi-agent treatment plan for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Pergaspargase is another form of aspariginase with a longer half-life and decreased incidence of allergic reactions.
(1) Asparaginase is given as in IV infusion or as an injection into a muscle.
Mechanism: Asparaginase (Elspar®) is an
enzyme that breaks down (disassembles) the
amino acid asparagine which is needed for cell maintenance and growth. In many cases of leukemia, unlike normal cells, the leukemia cells are unable to make their own asparagine and must rely on outside sources of asparagine for survival. By reducing free asparagine in the body, asparaginase treatment results in a depletion of cancerous cells while normal cells are more likely to be preserved.
Side Effects: Common side effects include nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite. Less common side effects include changes in blood clotting and blood sugar levels and also temporary bone marrow depression. Allergic reactions to this drug are relatively common and can be serious and the chance of reaction is greater in patients that have received this treatment at an earlier time. For this reason asparaginase should only be administered in a hospital setting. Asparaginase often has a negative effect on liver function which may be greater in cases where liver function is already abnormal. This decrease in liver function may cause the toxic effects of other drugs to be greater.
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