Prolonged control of hypoglycaemia by L-asparaginase in islet cell carcinoma producing insulin and gastrin

L-asparaginase (140,000 units) infused into the hepatic artery resulted in a remission from disabling hypoglycaemia for nine months in a man with islet cell carcinoma of the pancreas and hepatic metastases. The tumour produced insulin and gastrin with resulting hypoglycaemia and recurrent peptic ulceration which were unresponsive to other drugs. Following L-asparaginase there was a fall in both plasma and insulin and gastrin.