L-asparaginase reinduction and maintenance therapy in previously treated acute lymphocytic leukemia.
Four patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia previously treated with conventional chemotherapy received intramuscular L-asparaginase in combination with other chemotherapy for reinduction and maintenance therapy. These patients received the L-asparaginase for 8, 14, 27, and 34+ months without demonstrating any significant adverse effects. Only 1 of the 4 was clearly resistant to the other chemo-therapy, and 3 of 4 had recurrence of their disease while receiving L-asparaginase. L-asparaginase can be added to reinduction and maintenance regimens of patients resistant to other chemotherapy and is well tolerated for long periods when given intramuscularly weekly with other immunosuppressant agents.
D000293:Adolescent; D001215:Asparaginase / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D001215:Asparaginase