Asparaginase (Elspar)
This medication was discontinued by the manufacturer in December 2012, and is now essentially out of stock. Alternatives include Pegaspargase (Oncaspar) or Asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi (Erwinaze).
General information
Class/mechanism: Depletes plasma asparagine, selectively killing leukemic cells which are unable to synthesize asparagine due to a lack of asparagine synthetase.[1][2]
Route: IV, IM
Extravasation: neutral
For conciseness and simplicity, HemOnc.org currently will focus on treatment regimens and not list information such as: renal/hepatic dose adjustments, metabolism (including CYP450), excretion, monitoring parameters (although this will be considered for checklists), or manufacturer. Instead, for the most current information, please refer to your preferred pharmacopeias such as Micromedex, Lexicomp, Medscape, UpToDate (courtesy of Lexicomp), or the prescribing information.[1]
Diseases for which it is used
- B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
- Extranodal NK- and T-cell lymphoma, nasal type
- NK- and T-cell lymphoma
- T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Patient drug information
- Asparaginase (Elspar) patient drug information (Chemocare)[3]
- Asparaginase (Elspar) patient drug information (UpToDate)[4]
History of changes in FDA indication
- 1978-01-10: Initial approval for acute lymphocytic leukemia. (Based on CCG 101/143)
- 2002-08-01 (oldest label available at Drugs @ FDA): indicated in the therapy of patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia. This agent is useful primarily in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents in the induction of remissions of the disease in pediatric patients. ELSPAR should not be used as the sole induction agent unless combination therapy is deemed inappropriate. ELSPAR is not recommended for maintenance therapy.
Also known as
- Generic names: colaspase, crisantaspase, L Asparaginase, L-ASP
- Brand names: Asparaginasa, Chephacardin, Colaspase, Crasnitin, Elspar, Engenase, Kidrolase, Laspar, L Asparaginasa, L Asparaginasum, L-Asperone, L-Ginase, Leucoginase, Leunase, Onconase, Paronal, Spectrila
References
- Drugs
- Intravenous medications
- Intramuscular medications
- Subcutaneous medications
- Neutral
- Asparagine-specific enzymes
- B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia medications
- Extranodal NK- and T-cell lymphoma, nasal type medications
- NK- and T-cell lymphoma medications
- T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia medications
- FDA approved in 1978
- Discontinued drugs
- WHO Essential Cancer Medicine