asparaginase
information and resources from the National Cancer Institute
asparaginase
An enzyme isolated from the bacterium Escherichia coli or the bacterium Erwinia carotovora. Asparagine is critical to protein synthesis in leukemic cells, which cannot synthesize this amino acid due to the absence of the enzyme asparagine synthase. Asparaginase hydrolyzes L-asparagine to L-aspartic acid and ammonia, thereby depleting leukemic cells of asparagine and blocking protein synthesis and tumor cell proliferation, especially in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. This agent also induces apoptosis in tumor cells. The E. carotovora-derived form of asparaginase is typically reserved for cases of asparaginase hypersensitivity. asparaginase
An enzyme isolated from the bacterium Escherichia coli or the bacterium Erwinia carotovora. Asparagine is critical to protein synthesis in leukemic cells, which cannot synthesize this amino acid due to the absence of the enzyme asparagine synthase. Asparaginase hydrolyzes L-asparagine to L-aspartic acid and ammonia, thereby depleting leukemic cells of asparagine and blocking protein synthesis and tumor cell proliferation, especially in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. This agent also induces apoptosis in tumor cells. The E. carotovora-derived form of asparaginase is typically reserved for cases of asparaginase hypersensitivity.
Elspar
ELSPAR is 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.
Merck & Co, Inc Aug 01 2002
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