title: A new extracorporeal reactor-dialyzer for enzyme therapy using immobilized L-asparaginase.
abstract: Depletion of circulating L-asparagine has proved beneficial in the treatment of some acute lymphoyctic leukemias. To avoid the immunologic sequelae of administering L-asparaginase parenterally, we have covalently attached the enzyme to the outside of the fibers of a conventional hollow fiber hemodialyzer. This provides ready access of the substrate to the enzyme, while simultaneously isolating the foreign protein from the immune system. Such reactor-dialyzers perform well, both in vitro and in vivo. Circulating L-asparagine in the healthy dog is reduced from about 50 micrometer to less than 2 micrometer within 30 min of connecting the reactor-dialyzer and the reduction persists for at least 4 hr after cessation of treatment.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001215:Asparaginase / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001216:Asparagine / Q000097:blood; D002482:Cellulose; D004285:Dogs; D004800:Enzymes, Immobilized / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007688:Kidneys, Artificial; D010477:Perfusion
chemical_list: D004800:Enzymes, Immobilized; D001216:Asparagine; D002482:Cellulose; D001215:Asparaginase