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Pegaspargase
Pegaspargase, sold under the brand name Oncaspar, is a medication used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).[5] Often it is used together with anthracycline, vincristine, and corticosteroids (for example prednisone and dexamethasone).[6] Pegaspargase can be administered either via an intravenous infusion or a intramuscular injection.[6] Known side effects include allergic reactions, coagulopathy, high blood sugar, affecting liver function, pancreas inflammation, and blood clots in the brain.[6] There is no data regarding the usage of pegaspargase during pregnancy.[7] Therefore, caution should be observed and pegaspargase should only be used during pregnancy when the benefits outweigh the possible risks. Pegaspargase is a modified version of the enzyme asparaginase which has undergone PEGylation.[8][6] It works by breaking down the amino acid asparagine that are circulating in the bloodstream.[6] The circulating asparagine is essential for the cancer cells to enable growth since they can't produce their own, in contrast to normal cells.[9] The normal cells are therefore less affected by pegaspargase. Pegaspargase was approved for medical use in the United States in 1994.[6] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[10] It is made by Sigma-Tau.[6] References
Information related to Pegaspargase |
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