LONG-ACTION L-ASPARAGINASE IN THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC-LEUKEMIA

Long-action L-asparaginase in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. M. A. Volkova, S. A. Mayakova, G. I. Kaletin, B. V. Kurdyukov, M. A. Frenkel, A. K. Protasova, N. N. Tupitsin, Ye. V. Fleishman. Cancer Research Center, Moscow, Russia. Twenty-five patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia [15 adults and 10 children] received standard treatment in which regular L-asparaginase was replaced for L-asparaginase of prolonged action [PEG-asparaginase). The drug was administered once in two weeks in a dose 2500 IU/m2 for remission induction and consolidation or as a component of maintenance therapy. It was found that the response to primary PEG-asparaginase treatment or its use in the disease relapses produced the same response as regular L-asparaginase, being superior in convenience and feasibility of outpatient use. Side effects in the form of hypoproteinemia, hepatic toxicity and toxic pancreatitis [in children, 9 and 1 adults, respectively] were moderate and disappeared after 10(-20)-day discontinuation of the drug.