BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

L-Asparaginase is an enzyme used to treat acute lymphocytic leukemia in combination with other chemotherapy agents.

CLINICAL USE

For treatment of acute lympocytic leukemia and non-Hodgkins lymphoma and also to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and is also used in some mast cell tumor protocols.

MODE OF ACTION

The rationale behind asparaginase is that it takes advantage of the fact that ALL leukemic cells are unable to synthesize the non-essential amino acid asparagine whereas normal cells are able to make their own asparagine These leukemic cells depend on circulating asparagine. Asparaginase however catalyzes the conversion of L-asparagine to aspartic acid and ammonia. It facilitates production of oxaloacetate which is needed for general cellular metabolism This deprives the leukemic cell of circulating asparagine.