Progress in diagnosis and treatment of asparaginase-associated pancreatitis in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia / 中国小儿急救医学

ABSTRACT

There is growing evidence of significant clinical and biological benefits of asparaginase (ASP) as a key agent in multidrug combination chemotherapy for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and the drug will continue to be used at higher total doses in intermediate- and high-risk patients.However, high doses of ASP can lead to treatment-related toxicities.Among them, asparaginase-associated pancreatitis (AAP), which is a life-threatening treatment-limiting side effect of chemotherapy, will lead to interruption or complete discontinuation of ASP at grade 3 or 4 in adverse event evaluations, while interruption or discontinuation of ASP may lead to relapse in patients with ALL with an increased risk of remission failure in the case of relapse.Rapid identification and management of AAP will help ensure that patients derive maximum benefit from ASP therapy.This review summarized the diagnosis and management of AAP, possible risk factors, and prudent re-exposure to ASP after the first episode of AAP.