Asparaginase-induced hepatotoxicity: rapid development of cholestasis and hepatic steatosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

L-Asparaginase is a bacterial enzyme used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In the ongoing U.S. Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network (DILIN) prospective study, standard and pegylated asparaginase were the most frequent cause of liver injury with jaundice among anti-cancer agents (8 of 40: 20%). The unique features of this hepatotoxicity are described.

Methods

Eight cases from 5 DILIN centers were reviewed for clinical course, laboratory values, imaging, and histopathology.

Results

Seven females, aged 29-59 years, and one 8-year-old boy, all with leukemia, developed jaundice within 9-21 days (median 15 days) of starting asparaginase or pegaspargase, during the first (n = 6) or second (n = 2) cycle. Prominent symptoms were jaundice (n = 8), fatig

SUBMITTER: Kamal N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7226930 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature