title: L-asparaginase: an effective agent in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
abstract: L-asparaginase (L-ASNase) is an enzyme used most effectively in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) for more than 30 years. It catalyzes the hydrolysis of amino acid l-asparagine to aspartic acid and ammonia, which leads to cell death. Clinical trials have been conducted using L-ASNase in combination with other drugs and radiotherapy, which have led to great success in the treatment of ALL. Treatments consist of induction therapy and central nervous system therapy. The achievement of complete remission in patients is associated with a few side-effects of using L-asparaginase, including pancreatitis, coagulation abnormalities and allergic reactions. Sometimes tumor cells may develop resistance to L-ASNase. To overcome these difficulties, the drug is modified by pegylation or immobilization, and also treatment protocols can be modified to increase the efficiency of the drug.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, M. M. Modi College , Patiala , India.
authors.forename: Kuldeep
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Jagjeet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.forename: Shefali
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Walia
authors.forename: Teena
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pathak
authors.forename: Diwakar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Aggarwal
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001215:Asparaginase / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D006801:Humans; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D012074:Remission Induction
chemical_list: D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D001215:Asparaginase