title: [Advances on the role of pegaspargase in the treatment of childhood leukemia].
abstract: The chemotherapy agent L-asparaginase (L-asp) has been an important part of acute lymphoblastic leukemia therapy for over 30 years. It is evident that L-asp has a long-term curative effect. However, L-asp is associated with high incidence of adverse reactions. This has prompted the development of pegylated asparaginase (PEG-asp), which has undergone extensive testing. Apparently, PEG-asp has a prolonged half-life with a better tolerance profile while retaining the antileukemic effect. In this review, we attempt to outline the history of clinical application of L-asp, the pharmacological and clinical potential of various preparations of L-asp, the development of PEG-asp, and the clinical application and adverse events of PEG-asp. The literatures reviewed in this article is collected through online search of the major databases both in English and Chinese.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China. xtxie@163.com.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xiao-Tian
authors.initials: XT
authors.lastname: Xie
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001215:Asparaginase / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000139:chemically induced; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C042705:pegaspargase; D001215:Asparaginase