Abstract
L-asparaginase is an important drug in the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Treatment is associated with several toxicities, including acute pancreatitis. Clinical course, presentation, re-exposure to L-asparginase after pancreatitis and risk of recurrent pancreatitis within an asparaginase-intensive protocol has been poorly reported. Children (1-17 years) on the ongoing Nordic Society of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology (NOPHO) ALL2008 protocol with asparaginase-associated pancreatitis (AAP) diagnosed between 2008 and 2012 were identified through the online NOPHO ALL toxicity registry. NOPHO ALL2008 includes eight or 15 doses of intramuscular pegylated L-asparginase (PEG-asparaginase) 1000 iu/m(2) /dose at 2-6 weeks intervals, with a total of 30 weeks of exposure to PEG-asparaginase (clinicaltrials.gov no: NCT00819351). Of 786 children, 45 were diagnosed with AAP with a cumulative risk of AAP of 5·9%. AAP occurred after a median of five doses (range 1-13), and 11 d (median) from the latest administration of PEG-Asparaginase. Thirteen patients developed pseudocysts (30%) and 11 patients developed necrosis (25%). One patient died from pancreatitis. Twelve AAP patients were re-exposed to L-asparginase, two of whom developed mild AAP once more, after four and six doses respectively. In conclusion, re-exposure to PEG-asparaginase in ALL patients with mild AAP seems safe.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Journal | British Journal of Haematology |
Volume | 165 |
Issue number | 1 |
Pages (from-to) | 126-133 |
Number of pages | 8 |
ISSN | 0007-1048 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Apr 2014 |
Keywords
- Adolescent
- Antineoplastic Agents
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
- Asparaginase
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Female
- Humans
- Infant
- Male
- Pancreatitis
- Polyethylene Glycols
- Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma
- Treatment Outcome