title: Early diagnosis of asparaginase-associated pancreatitis based on elevated serum elastase-1 levels: Case reports.
abstract: L-asparaginase (L-asp) is a well-known anticancer agent used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children. However, it is also known to induce several acute complications, such as acute pancreatitis. This is a presentation of two pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cases of asparaginase-associated pancreatitis (AAP) diagnosed at an early stage based on elevated serum elastase-1 levels, in the presence of normal serum amylase levels. Early diagnosis and treatment of AAP, although imperative, is occasionally difficult if only standard diagnostic procedures are followed. Elastase-1 is a potentially useful marker for the early diagnosis of AAP. Therefore, the measurement of elastase-1 levels, in addition to amylase and lipase levels, is recommended in L-asp-treated patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Morimoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.
authors.forename: Kota
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hirai
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.
authors.forename: Akiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fukumura
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiromitsu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takakura
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koike
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shimizu
keywords: acute lymphoblastic leukemia; asparaginase; chemotherapy; elastase-1; pancreatitis