title: Recent developments in L-asparaginase discovery and its potential as anticancer agent.
abstract: L-Asparaginase (EC3.5.1.1) is an enzyme, which is used for treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and other related blood cancers from a long time. This enzyme selectively hydrolyzes the extracellular amino acid L-asparagine into L-aspartate and ammonia, leading to nutritional deficiencies, protein synthesis inhibition, and ultimately death of lymphoblastic cells by apoptosis. Currently, bacterial asparaginases are used for treatment purpose but offers scepticism due to a number of toxicities, including thrombosis, pancreatitis, hyperglycemia, and hepatotoxicity. Resistance towards bacterial asparaginase is another major disadvantage during cancer management. This situation attracted attention of researchers towards alternative sources of L-asparaginase, including plants and fungi. Present article discusses about potential of L-asparaginase as an anticancer agent, its mechanism of action, and adverse effects related to current asparaginase formulations. This article also provides an outlook for recent developments in L-asparaginase discovery from alternative sources and their potential as a less toxic alternative to current formulations.
authors: College of Life Sciences, Cancer Hospital & Research Institute, Gwalior, MP 474009, India.
authors: Abhinav
authors: A
authors: Shrivastava
authors: College of Life Sciences, Cancer Hospital & Research Institute, Gwalior, MP 474009, India; Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, PO Box 2457, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: abdularifkhan@gmail.com.
authors: Abdul Arif
authors: AA
authors: Khan
authors: Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, PO Box 2457, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; College of Allied Health Professionals, Directorate of Medical Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
authors: Mohsin
authors: M
authors: Khurshid
authors: Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, PO Box 2457, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Mohd Abul
authors: MA
authors: Kalam
authors: Department of Microbiology, Vikram University, Ujjain, MP, India.
authors: Sudhir K
authors: SK
authors: Jain
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur, MP, India.
authors: Pradeep K
authors: PK
authors: Singhal
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001215:Asparaginase / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001215:Asparaginase
keywords: Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia; Anticancer; Erwinase; Kidrolase; PEG-asparaginase; l-Asparaginase; l-Asparagine