What is asparaginase?
Asparaginase is an enzyme that is used in the body to accelerate aspiginine change to products called aspartic acid and ammonia. It is usually harvested from a microorganism called Escherichia coli (E. coli). Asparaginase is used in both pharmaceutical and industrial food packages. In the packaging of food products it is an additive that prevents starch food from the development of carcinogen called acrylamide. It is used medical in therapeutic plans for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (all).
The enzyme treats leukemia by removing asparragine in the body, which feeds on malignant cancer cells. Asparagine is used by all nutrition cells, but only cancer cells are not able to produce their own. Cancer cells are not able to grow and reproduce, as asparragine is converted into ammonia ammonia by administration of asparaginase in the form of Elspar® drug. This drug is effective for most patients diagnosed with acute lymphlastic leukemia.
Elspar® is served by INTRAvenic or injections to the muscles of the legs. The dose varies greatly depending on the height and weight of the patient treated. There are many reports on anaphylactic allergic reactions to the drug, so all patients receive a test dose before the start of cancer therapy. Other serious side effects are pancreatitis, stroke and an increase in blood glucose. Liver enzymes may increase during treatment, but usually return to normal as soon as the drug is interrupted.
The most common side effects of asparaginase are symptoms similar to flu, including fever, nausea, chills and vomiting. Several patients experience excessive drowsiness and depression. It is possible to have hallucinations in the treatment of asparaginase. Some reported seizures and confusion due to the use of this drug. Confusion and drowsiness are caused by an increase in aspartic acid and ammonia circulating in the blood.
Asparraginase is classified as rIziko pregnancy Category C. It is not recommended to conceive or father of the child while being treated with it. Women who have already gave birth are warned not to breastfeed because drugs can pass through breast milk. In addition, there is a known risk for receiving immunization in the treatment of Elspar®.
During the treatment of asparraginase cancer, it is common for blood work to perform the proper functioning of the liver and other organs often. Blood will be tested for increased pancreatic enzymes and blood clotting times. Increasing the clotting factor may indicate a higher risk of stroke. Sugar in the blood will be monitored to ensure that there is no increase in dangerous level due to treatment.