Pharmacogenetics of asparaginase in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Rachid Abaji; Maja Krajinovic

doi:10.20517/cdr.2018.24

Pharmacogenetics of asparaginase in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Cancer Drug Resist. 2019 Jun 19;2(2):242-255. doi: 10.20517/cdr.2018.24. eCollection 2019.

Authors

Rachid Abaji^{1

2}, Maja Krajinovic^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Charles Bruneau Cancer Centre, Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada.
² Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada.
³ Department of Pediatrics, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada.

Abstract

Asparaginase is a key component in leukemias and lymphomas treatment protocols and is suggested as a treatment for other malignancies in which an amino acid depletion strategy is indicated. Asparaginase intolerance is subject to inter-individual variability and can manifest as hypersensitivity reactions, pancreatitis, thrombosis, as well as metabolic abnormalities, and may affect treatment outcome. Pharmacogenetics aims at enhancing treatment efficacy and safety by better understanding the genetic basis of variability and its effect on the pharmacological responses. Many groups tried to tackle the pharmacogenetics of asparaginase but the potential implementation of such findings remains debatable. In this review, we highlight the most important findings reported in studies of the pharmacogenetics of asparaginase related complications and treatment outcome in acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Keywords: Asparaginase; acute lymphoblastic leukemia; adverse drug reactions; hypersensitivity reactions; pancreatitis; pharmacogenomics; relapse.

Publication types

Review