Calaspargase pegol

Calaspargase pegol, sold under the brand name Asparlas, is a medication for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It is approved in the United States as a component of a multi-agent chemotherapeutic regimen for ALL in pediatric and young adult patients aged one month to 21 years.

Calaspargase pegol is an engineered protein consisting of the E. coli-derived enzyme L-asparaginase II conjugated with succinimidyl carbonate monomethoxypolyethylene glycol (pegol). The L-asparaginase portion hydrolyzes L-asparagine to L-aspartic acid depriving the tumor cell of the L-asparagine it needs for survival. The conjugation with the pegol group increases the half-life of the drug making it longer acting.

The most common (incidence ≥ 10%) grade ≥ 3 adverse reactions are elevated transaminase, increased bilirubin, pancreatitis, and abnormal clotting studies.