title: Effective dose of L-asparaginase for induction of remission in previously treated children with acute lymphocytic leukemia: a report from Childrens Cancer Study Group.
abstract: L-Asparaginase, in the dose of greater than or equal to 6000 IU/sq m three times weekly, was demonstrated to be an effective agent in reinduction of remissions in childhood leukemia. Four hundred thirteen children with acute lymphocytic leukemia were treated with L-asparaginase. Doses i.m. ranged from 300 to 12,000 IU/sq m. None of the patients had received prior asparaginase therapy. 6-Mercaptopurine was given p.o. concurrently. All of the patients had experienced several previous relapses, and their disease was not responsive to 6-mercaptopurine. L-Asparaginase was found to be effective in reinducing remissions at the following rates: 9.5% for 300 IU/sq m; 35.1% for 3,000 IU/sq m; 53.5% for 6,000 IU/sq m; and 62.5% for 12,000 IU/sq m. The drug was given three times weekly for four weeks. Hypersensitivity reactions occurred in 6.5% of patients.
mesh_terms: D001215:Asparaginase / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015122:Mercaptopurine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous
chemical_list: D015122:Mercaptopurine; D001215:Asparaginase