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[Allergic complications of L-asparaginase therapy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia]
Insights
Allergic reactions to L-asparaginase (L-ASP) therapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) occur in 24% of patients. Risk factors include high-risk ALL protocols, intravenous administration, and re-exposure after a four-week break.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Immunology
Context:
- L-asparaginase (L-ASP) is a cornerstone therapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).
- Allergic reactions represent a significant challenge, potentially leading to treatment interruption.
- Understanding risk factors is crucial for optimizing L-ASP administration and patient outcomes.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence and types of allergic reactions to L-ASP in pediatric ALL patients.
- To identify potential risk factors associated with L-ASP-induced hypersensitivity.
- To analyze the relationship between reaction onset, therapy phase, and administration method.
Summary:
- This study analyzed 70 pediatric ALL patients treated with L-ASP between 2000 and 2009.
- Allergic reactions occurred in 24% of patients, primarily manifesting as urticaria, bronchospasm, or anaphylaxis.
- Key risk factors identified were high-risk protocols, intravenous administration, and re-administration after a minimum four-week interval, particularly during reinduction phases.
Impact:
- Identifies specific patient subgroups and administration strategies associated with increased risk of L-ASP allergy.
- Provides evidence to guide clinical decisions regarding L-ASP dosing and scheduling in pediatric ALL.
- Informs the development of strategies to mitigate hypersensitivity reactions and ensure treatment continuity.
Introduction:
L-asparaginase (L-ASP) is one of the most effective medications for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in children, and allergic reactions to the therapy are considered the most significant side effects.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and type of allergic reactions, as well as to identify potential risk factors for the development of allergic reactions during L-ASP therapy in children with ALL.
Methods:
The study encompassed 70 patients under 18 years of age, who were treated at the Institute for Child and Youth Healthcare of Vojvodina, Novi Sad in the period January 2000 - June 2009. We analyzed the frequency and type of allergic reactions during the administration of L-ASP, the onset of allergic reaction in relation to the phase of therapy of underlying disease, as well as the prevalence of allergic reactions in relation to drug administration method.
Results:
Allergic reaction manifested in 17 patients (24%). In 14 patients (82%) allergic reaction to L-ASP manifested as urticaria, bronchospasm or anaphylaxis, whereas a mild local reaction was observed in only three patients (18%). In a group treated, according to the high-risk protocol, the prevalence of allergic reactions was statistically significantly higher in the intermediate-risk group of patients (p < 0.01), i.e. statistically significantly more frequent, as compared to the standard-risk group of patients (p < 0.05). The majority of patients (11; 65%) developed allergic reactions to the 9th dose of L-ASP, i.e. the first dose during the reinduction phase. The time interval between the last L-ASP dose in the induction phase and the 1st dose in the reinduction phase was at least four weeks. With respect to administration method, the majority of patients (16; 94%) developed allergic reaction after intravenous application of L-ASP.
Conclusion:
Potential risk factors for the development of allergic reaction to L-ASP are a high-risk therapy group, intravenous administration route and repeated application of the drug after at least four-week cessation period.
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