Polyethylene glycol-L-asparaginase versus native L-asparaginase in canine non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
42 dogs with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) were randomized for treatment with either PEG-L-asparaginase 10 IU/kg intramuscularly (n = 22) or L-asparaginase 400 IU/kg intraperitoneally (n = 20). Another 20 dogs were treated with either PEG-L-asparaginase 30 IU/kg (n = 10) or L-asparaginase 400 IU/kg (n = 10). Each treatment protocol consisted of two asparaginase treatments followed by a 10-week period of induction chemotherapy and then maintenance on asparaginase until progression occurred. No significant differences were found between treatments in the response rates after 2 weeks of asparaginase therapy or in the time to relapse, the time to treatment failure or the remission period. The reaction to asparaginase after the initial 2 weeks was a prognostic factor for the total duration of remission under asparaginase maintenance therapy. No side-effects were noted in the dogs treated with PEG-L-asparaginase, whereas 14 (48%) of the L-asparaginase treated dogs had side-effects related to this drug, including anaphylactic shock (9), anorexia or vomiting (4), hypersensitivity-related oedema (3), seizures (1) and acute pancreatitis (1). No abnormalities in clotting times, fibrinogen levels or antithrombin-III levels were found in any of the 62 dogs. PEG-L-asparaginase has the same anti-tumour activity as native L-asparaginase in dogs with NHL, but lacks side-effects.
Teske
E
E
Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Rutteman
G R
GR
van Heerde
P
P
Misdorp
W
W
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001215:Asparaginase / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D004800:Enzymes, Immobilized / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004800:Enzymes, Immobilized; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C042705:pegaspargase; D001215:Asparaginase