Hypersensitivity reactions to L-asparaginase in dogs and cats

The tumor inhibitory properties of L-asparaginase were discovered in the 1960s. L-asparaginase hydrolyzes asparagine to aspartic acid leading to decreased systemic L-asparagine levels. This, coupled with a limited asparagine synthetase activity in malignant lymphoid cells, decreases protein synthesis leading to cellular death. Toxicities related to L-asparaginase fall into two categories: those related to hypersensitivity to the foreign protein and those related to decreased asparagine and protein synthesis inhibition.
Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery - Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Oncology Source Type: research