pegcrisantaspase

Pegcrisantaspase is a recombinant, pegylated form of Erwinia asparaginase (crisantaspase), derived from the bacterium Erwinia chrysanthemi and genetically engineered to be produced in Pseudomonas fluorescens. It is designed as an antineoplastic agent for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or lymphoblastic lymphoma who have developed hypersensitivity to pegaspargase. Pegcrisantaspase hydrolyzes L-asparagine to L-aspartic acid and ammonia, depleting plasma asparagine levels. Leukemia cells are unable to synthesize sufficient asparagine due to low levels of asparagine synthetase, making them susceptible to this depletion and leading to inhibition of protein synthesis and cell death. The drug has orphan designation for precursor cell lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma.

Brand names

Asparec

Other names

pegcrisantaspase