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| Pronunciation | /pəˈɡæspərɡeɪz/ |
| Trade names | Oncaspar |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
| MedlinePlus | a695031 |
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| Routes of administration | Intramuscular,intravenous |
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| Chemical and physical data | |
| Formula | C1377H2208N382O442S17 |
| Molar mass | 31732.06 g·mol−1 |
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Pegaspargase, sold under the brand nameOncaspar, is amedication used in the treatment ofacute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).[5] Often it is used together withanthracycline,vincristine, andcorticosteroids (for exampleprednisone anddexamethasone).[6] Pegaspargase can be administered either via anintravenous infusion or aintramuscular injection.[6]
Known side effects includeallergic reactions,coagulopathy, high blood sugar, affecting liver function,pancreas inflammation, and blood clots in the brain.[6] There is no data regarding the usage of pegaspargase during pregnancy.[7] Therefore, caution should be observed and pegaspargase should only be used during pregnancy when the benefits outweigh the possible risks.
Pegaspargase is a modified version of theenzymeasparaginase which has undergonePEGylation.[8][6] It works by breaking down theamino acidasparagine that are circulating in the bloodstream.[6] The circulating asparagine is essential for the cancer cells to enable growth since they can't produce their own, in contrast to normal cells.[9] The normal cells are therefore less affected by pegaspargase.
Pegaspargase was approved for medical use in the United States in 1994.[6] It is on theWorld Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[10] It is made bySigma-Tau.[6]
