title: L-asparaginase related hyperglycemia.
abstract: L-asparaginase is a valuable chemotherapeutic agent used in the induction of remission and improvement of long term survival in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Hyperglycemia is a well known side effect of L-asparaginase. Fourteen patients developed hyperglycemia during induction therapy of acute lymphoblastic leukemia with L-asparaginase, prednisolone, vincristine and daunorubicin. Hyperglycemia was observed after a mean of five doses of L-asparaginase (range 2-10). Seven of fourteen patients had neutropenic related infective episodes. Hyperglycemia resolved in all patients within 12 days (range 4-25) and two patients died of neutropenic septicemia. During reinduction therapy with the same drugs, only one out of ten patients developed hyperglycemia E-coli-L-asparaginase was replaced by Erwinia asparaginase in two patients one of who had recrudescence on further therapy. Close monitoring during L-asparaginase therapy for hyperglycemia will enable prompt recognition and early correction and prevent delay in therapy of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Bombay, India.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Iyer
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Advani
authors.forename: I T
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Magrath
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001215:Asparaginase / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D001215:Asparaginase