Asparaginase
| Clinical data | |
|---|---|
| Trade names | Elspar, Leunase, Rylaze, Spectrila, others |
| Other names | crisantaspase, colaspase, asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi (recombinant)-rywn |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
| MedlinePlus | a682046 |
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| Routes of administration | Intramuscular, intravenous |
| Drug class | Antineoplastic |
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| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Elimination half-life | 39-49 hours (IM), 8-30 hours (IV) |
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| ECHA InfoCard | 100.029.774 |
| Chemical and physical data | |
| Formula | C1377H2208N382O442S17 |
| Molar mass | 31732.06 g·mol−1 |
| (what is this?) (verify) | |
Asparaginase is an enzyme that is used as a medication and in food manufacturing. As a medication, L-asparaginase is used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL). It is given by injection into a vein, or muscle. A PEGylated version, pegaspargase, is also available. In food manufacturing it is used to decrease acrylamide.
Common side effects when used by injection include allergic reactions, pancreatitis, blood clotting problems, high blood sugar, kidney problems, and liver dysfunction. Use in pregnancy may harm the baby. As a food it is generally recognized as safe. Asparaginase works by breaking down the amino acid known as asparagine without which the cancer cells cannot make protein.
Asparaginase was approved for medical use in the United States in 1978. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. It is often made from Escherichia coli (E. coli) or Erwinia chrysanthemi.