Peg-L-asparaginase

Peg-L-asparaginase, an enzyme that specifically targets asparagine, plays a crucial role in converting L-asparagine to aspartic acid and ammonia. Asparagine, an essential amino acid for cell survival, is normally produced in human tissues by asparagine synthetase.

The administration of pegaspargase leads to the death of leukemia cells due to its mechanism of action, akin to that of L-asparaginase from Escherichia coli, an earlier enzyme utilized in treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

However, the use of E. coli-derived L-asparaginase may induce hypersensitivity in some patients, necessitating frequent dosing.

Pegylation of pegaspargase enables optimal enzyme activity, reduces immune response and uptake by the reticuloendothelial system, and prolongs the half-life of L-asparaginase. Pegaspargase was FDA-approved in February 1994 for the treatment of…