title: Incidence and Management of Toxicity Associated with LAsparaginase in the Treatment of ALL and NK/TCell Lymphoma: an Observational Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lasparaginase (ASNase) is commonly used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and natural killer (NK)/Tcell lymphoma. This study was designed to describe the incidence of toxicity associated with ASNase in Asian adults. Secondary objectives were to investigate the management and impact of toxicity on subsequent ASNase use, and to compare the actual management against current recommendations.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective, multicenter, observational study, Asian patients ≥ 18 years old who received ≥ 1 dose of the native E. coli ASNase from 2008 to 2013 were included. Patients were excluded if they did not receive ASNase. Endpoints of this study were development of specific toxicities, whether ASNase was discontinued or rechallenged, and developmentg of recurrent toxicity. All data analyses were performed using SPSS version 20.0.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 56 patients were analyzed. Mean (±SD) age was 36.2 (±15.2) years old, with 62.5% being males, 55.4% with ALL and 28.6% with NK/Tcell lymphoma. Hypersensitivity (12.5%) was associated with the highest incidence of toxicity (6 out of 7 patients had Grade 3 and 4 toxicity), followed by 10.7% for hepatic transaminitis, 3.6% for nonCNS thrombosis and 1.8% each for hyperbilirubinemia and pancreatitis. Hypersensitivity recurred in the 3 patients who were rechallenged with E. coli ASNase.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ASNase is associated with a wide range of toxicities, with hypersensitivity being the most commonly observed among Asian adult patients.
authors: Clinical Pharmacist, Department of Pharmacy, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore Email : yeang.shu.hui@sgh.com.sg.
authors: Shu Hui
authors: SH
authors: Yeang
authors: Alexandre
authors: A
authors: Chan
authors: Chuen Wen
authors: CW
authors: Tan
authors: Soon Thye
authors: ST
authors: Lim
authors: Heng Joo
authors: HJ
authors: Ng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001215:Asparaginase / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D055611:Natural Killer T-Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D001215:Asparaginase