The effect of L-asparaginase of plasma coagulation factors in acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Serial coagulation studies were performed in 26 pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia during initial induction therapy with vincristine, prednisone, and L-asparaginase. Prolongation of screening coagulation tests was frequent: prothrombin time (in 16 of 26 patients), partial thromboplastin time (23/26) and thrombin time (21/26). In all 26 patients fibrinogen levels fell below .20 g/100 ml and 16 had levels below .10 g/100 ml. Sixteen patients had plasma coagulation factor assays performed. In these 16 patients, Factor XI was less than 40% in 14 and Factor XI was less than 70% in 9, with only a few scattered low levels of other factors. There were no clinical bleeding episodes. Coagulation abnormalities returned to normal at the completion of L-asparaginase therapy while the patients remained on vincristine and prednisone.
D000347:Afibrinogenemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D001215:Asparaginase / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002648:Child; D005173:Factor XI Deficiency / Q000139:chemically induced; D002836:Hemophilia B / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014750:Vincristine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014750:Vincristine; D001215:Asparaginase; D011241:Prednisone