Erwinaze (asparaginase (Erwinia chrysanthemi))
Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
Overview
Asparaginase (Erwinia chrysanthemi), an asparaginase enzyme derived from Erwinia chrysanthemi (formerly Erwinia carotovora; also known as Pectobacterium chrysanthemi), is an antineoplastic agent.
Asparaginase (Erwinia chrysanthemi) catalyzes the deamidation of the amino acid asparagine to aspartic acid and ammonia, resulting in reduced concentrations of circulating asparagine. Because of a lack of asparagine synthetase, some leukemic cells cannot synthesize asparagine and depend on an exogenous source of the amino acid for protein synthesis and cell survival. Because normal cells are able to synthesize asparagine, they are less affected by asparaginase-induced depletion of the amino acid.
The half-life of asparaginase (Erwinia chrysanthemi) reportedly is approximately 15.6 hours following IM administration and appears to be shorter than that of native (nonconjugated) asparaginase (Escherichia coli) (no longer commercially available in the US) or pegaspargase (conjugate of monoethoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG) and E. coli-derived asparaginase). Following IV infusion, the half-life is approximately 7.5 hours; this difference in half-life is reflected in the proportion of patients achieving sustained serum trough asparaginase activity of at least 0.1 or 0.4 units/mL. (See Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia and Hypersensitivity to Escherichia coli-derived Asparaginase under Uses: Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia.) Asparaginase (Erwinia chrysanthemi) is antigenically distinct from asparaginase (Escherichia coli).
USES: Erwinia asparaginase is used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It works by starving tumor cells of needed nutrients and slowing tumor cell growth.
Generic name: asparaginase (Erwinia chrysanthemi)
Pronunciation: (er-WIN-ee-a as-PAR-a-jin-ase)
Reference product & biosimilars
No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.
Today’s intelligence on Erwinaze
Indications
The following indications are listed for Erwinaze:
- Acute Lymphoid Leukemia
Also known as: Acute Lymphatic Leukemia, Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, Acute Lymphogenous Leukemia, Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
Dosing
Dosage of asparaginase (Erwinia chrysanthemi) is expressed in international units (IU, units) and must be individualized according to body surface area. Clinicians should consult published protocols for the dosage of asparaginase (Erwinia chrysanthemi) and other chemotherapeutic agents and the method and sequence of administration.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
Drug interactions
No formal drug interaction studies have been performed with asparaginase (Erwinia chrysanthemi) to date.
There are no contraindication interactions for this drug.
There are no severe interactions for this drug.
There are no moderate interactions for this drug.
Contraindications
Asparaginase (Erwinia chrysanthemi) is contraindicated in patients with a history of serious pancreatitis, serious thrombosis, or serious hemorrhagic events associated with prior asparaginase therapy or a history of serious hypersensitivity reactions (including anaphylaxis) to asparaginase (Erwinia chrysanthemi).
There are no contraindication contraindications for this drug.
There are no severe contraindications for this drug.
There are no moderate contraindications for this drug.
Adverse reactions
Adverse effects reported in 1% or more of patients receiving asparaginase (Erwinia chrysanthemi) include systemic hypersensitivity reactions, hyperglycemia, aminotransferase abnormalities, fever, pancreatitis, local reactions, vomiting, nausea, thrombosis, hyperbilirubinemia, abdominal pain or discomfort, and diarrhea.
There are no severe adverse reactions for this drug.
There are no less severe adverse reactions for this drug.
Precautions
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Safety and efficacy of asparaginase (Erwinia chrysanthemi) as a component of combination chemotherapy for the treatment of acute lymphocytic (lymphoblastic) leukemia (ALL) have been established in pediatric patients 1 year of age and older who were hypersensitive to E. coli-derived asparaginase. (See Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia and Hypersensitivity to Escherichia coli-derived Asparaginase under Uses: Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia.)
Asparaginase (Erwinia chrysanthemi) may cause fetal harm if administered to pregnant women based on animal findings. (See Fetal/Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality under Cautions: Warnings/Precautions.)
It is not known whether asparaginase (Erwinia chrysanthemi) is distributed into milk. The effects of the drug on nursing infants and on milk production also are unknown. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions to asparaginase (Erwinia chrysanthemi) in nursing infants, women should be advised to discontinue nursing during asparaginase (Erwinia chrysanthemi) therapy and for at least 3 months after the last dose.
Safety and efficacy of asparaginase (Erwinia chrysanthemi) have not been established in geriatric patients.
ICD codes
No ICD codes are available for this drug.
Formulary status
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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
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