title: Factor VIII/von Willebrand factor abnormalities during L-asparaginase treatment in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
abstract: Factor VIII/von Willebrand factor (VIII/vWf) related properties were studied in 10 patients affected by acute lymphoblastic leukemia during L-asparaginase-vincristine-prednisone treatment. These properties remained within the normal range during the period of observation without any difference from the basal values. On the contrary, VIII:C activity was already increased before medication and showed gradual additional elevation during the observation period, reaching a peak 1 week after discontinuation of L-asparaginase administration. Crossed immunoelectrophoresis of vWf, performed weekly in 2 patients during the period of medication, demonstrated a normal pattern before the beginning of treatment, but an apparently faster migrating peak during L-asparaginase therapy, suggesting a qualitative abnormality of vWf. No abnormal bleeding tendency was found in any of the patients.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Semeiotics, University of Padua Medical School, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Casonato
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Lazzaro
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosolen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Girolami
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001215:Asparaginase / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003378:Counterimmunoelectrophoresis; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014750:Vincristine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D014841:von Willebrand Factor; D014750:Vincristine; D005169:Factor VIII; D001215:Asparaginase; D011241:Prednisone