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Comparison of crystalline and amorphous asparaginase in treatment of acute leukemia in children
Author(s) -
Pratt Charles B.,
Verzosa Manuel
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1002/cpt1972133343
Subject(s) - medicine , asparaginase , acute lymphocytic leukemia , leukemia , refractory (planetary science) , toxicity , bone marrow , gastroenterology , body surface area , lymphoblastic leukemia , materials science , composite material
Crystalline and amorphous preparations of asparaginase were compared with regard to toxicity and capacity to induce remission of acute leukemia in children. Both preparations were administered in a dosage of 5,000 international units (I.U.) per square meter of body surface area twice weekly for 4 doses. Thirty‐one children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and 6 with acute myelocytic leukemia (AML) refractory to conventional antileukemic drugs were admitted to this study. All were in complete relapse. Four of 11 children with ALL receiving crystalline asparaginase and 10 of 20 receiving the amorphous preparation developed complete‐remission bone marrow status. None of the children with AML responded. Hepatic and renal toxicity were more frequent in the patients receiving amorphous asparaginase, but not significantly so. None of the patients developed pancreatitis, and there were no toxic deaths with either preparation. Crystalline asparaginase has no apparent advantage over amorphous asparaginase in treatment of leukemia in children.