[Therapeutic alternatives to native L-asparaginase in the treatment of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia]. / Alternatives thérapeutiques à la L-asparaginase native dans le traitement de la leucémie aiguë lymphoblastique de l'adulte.

L-asparaginase is an effective antineoplastic agent, which is an integral part of combination chemotherapy protocols for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Its antitumor effect results from the depletion of asparagine, an amino acid essential to leukemia cells, and subsequent inhibition of protein synthesis leading to cytotoxicity. However, its use has been limited by a high rate of hypersensitivity reactions and development of neutrolizing anti-asparaginase antibodies, and by the need of frequent administration. To overcome these limitations modified versions of L-asparaginase (such as asparaginase from other sources, pegylated formulations, and asparaginase loaded into erythrocytes) have been recently proposed. Advantages of these therapeutic alternatives to native L-asparaginase and their results as part of preliminary clinical trials in adults have been outlined in this review.

[Mitochondrial toxicity: a case of palpebral ptosis in a woman infected by HIV and treated with HAART including zidovudine]. / Toxicit mitochondriale: cas d'un ptosis palpebral de l'oeil gauche chez une patiente infectée par le VIH sous trithérapie antirétrovirale comportant de l'AZT.

The usual clinical feature of mitochondrial toxicity is proximal myopathy. We present the report case of palpebral ptosis which occurred under zidovudine therapy The symptom remission was obtained by stopping the antiretroviral therapy. This involves an important vigilance from both doctor and patient.