title: Thrombotic complications during L-asparaginase treatment for acute lymphocytic leukemia.
abstract: We report 2 new cases of thrombosis occurring in a cohort of 21 consecutive patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia treated with L-asparaginase (L-ase), 6,000 U/die s.c. or i.m. days 15-21 from start of chemotherapy, according to the GIMEMA LAL 0288 protocol. The first patient died of massive diffuse thromboembolism (thrombosis of sagittal sinus and of suprahepatic veins and pulmonary arteries; multiple hepatic and splenic infarctions) associated with markedly reduced levels of protein C, antithrombin III and plasminogen. In the second patient, portal vein thrombosis developed soon after the completion of L-ase. Antithrombin III was reduced, whereas protein C level was normal. Therapy with fresh frozen plasma and subcutaneous calcium heparin (12,500 U twice daily) proved successful, and 8 days later abdominal echotomography revealed the complete disappearance of the thrombus. The incidence of thrombosis is similar to that previously found in a cohort of consecutive patients treated at our Department with a different schedule and dosage of L-ase administration, and similar to that reported in previous series.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Ematologia, Ospedale San Bortolo, Vicenza, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Castaman
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rodeghiero
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001215:Asparaginase / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015452:Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011239:Prednisolone; D001215:Asparaginase