Identification
- Summary
Pegaspargase is a modified form of L-asparagine amidohydrolase used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which is dependent on an external source of asparagine.
- Brand Names
- Oncaspar
- Generic Name
- Pegaspargase
- DrugBank Accession Number
- DB00059
- Background
Pegylated L-asparagine amidohydrolase from E. coli. Pegylation substantially (by a factor of 4) extends the protein half life.
- Type
- Biotech
- Groups
- Approved, Investigational
- Biologic Classification
- Protein Based Therapies
Other protein based therapies - Protein Structure
- Protein Chemical Formula
- C1377H2208N382O442S17
- Protein Average Weight
- 31731.9 Da
- Sequences
>DB00059 sequence MEFFKKTALAALVMGFSGAALALPNITILATGGTIAGGGDSATKSNYTVGKVGVENLVNA VPQLKDIANVKGEQVVNIGSQDMNDNVWLTLAKKINTDCDKTDGFVITHGTDTMEETAYF LDLTVKCDKPVVMVGAMRPSTSMSADGPFNLYNAVVTAADKASANRGVLVVMNDTVLDGR DVTKTNTTDVATFKSVNYGPLGYIHNGKIDYQRTPARKHTSDTPFDVSKLNELPKVGIVY NYANASDLPAKALVDAGYDGIVSAGVGNGNLYKSVFDTLATAAKTGTAVVRSSRVPTGAT TQDAEVDDAKYGFVASGTLNPQKARVLLQLALTQTKDPQQIQQIFNQY
Download FASTA Format- Synonyms
- Peg-asparaginase
- Peg/L-asparaginase
- Pegaspargasa
- Pegaspargase
Pharmacology
- Indication
For treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia
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- Contraindications & Blackbox Warnings
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- Pharmacodynamics
In a significant number of patients with acute leukemia, the malignant cells are dependent on an exogenous source of asparagine for survival. Normal cells, however, are able to synthesize asparagine and thus are affected less by the rapid depletion produced by treatment with the enzyme asparaginase. Oncaspar exploits a metabolic defect in asparagine synthesis of some malignant cells.
- Mechanism of action
Pegaspargase, more effective than asparaginase, converts asparagine to aspartic acid and ammonia. It facilitates production of oxaloacetate which is needed for general cellular metabolism. Some malignant cells lose the ability to produce asparagine and so the loss of exogenous sources of asparagine leads to cell death.
Target Actions Organism AL-asparagine other/unknownHumans - Absorption
Onset of Asparagine depletion by IM is within 4 days Time to peak: IM: 3 to 4 days
- Volume of distribution
IV: Adults (asparaginase naive): 2.4 L/m2 Distributes into CSF (reportedly reducing CSF asparagine concentrations to a similar extent as asparaginase
- Protein binding
Not Available
- Metabolism
- Not Available
- Route of elimination
Not Available
- Half-life
IM: ~6 days; half-life decreased to ~3 days (range: 1.4 to 5 days) in patients with previous hypersensitivity to native L-asparaginase; IV: Adults (asparaginase naive): 7 days
- Clearance
Not Available
- Adverse Effects
- Improve decision support & research outcomesWith structured adverse effects data, including: blackbox warnings, adverse reactions, warning & precautions, & incidence rates.Improve decision support & research outcomes with our structured adverse effects data.
- Toxicity
Adverse effects that occur more than 10% of the time include hepatotoxicity as it is known to increase serum transaminases (ALT, AST). Also known to induce hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, erythema and bronchospasm.
- Pathways
- Not Available
- Pharmacogenomic Effects/ADRs
- Not Available
Interactions
- Drug Interactions
- This information should not be interpreted without the help of a healthcare provider. If you believe you are experiencing an interaction, contact a healthcare provider immediately. The absence of an interaction does not necessarily mean no interactions exist.
Drug Interaction Integrate drug-drug
interactions in your softwareAbatacept The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Pegaspargase is combined with Abatacept. Adalimumab The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Adalimumab is combined with Pegaspargase. Adenovirus type 7 vaccine live The risk or severity of infection can be increased when Adenovirus type 7 vaccine live is combined with Pegaspargase. Aldesleukin The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Aldesleukin is combined with Pegaspargase. Alefacept The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Pegaspargase is combined with Alefacept. Alemtuzumab The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Pegaspargase is combined with Alemtuzumab. Allantoin The therapeutic efficacy of Allantoin can be increased when used in combination with Pegaspargase. Allogeneic processed thymus tissue The therapeutic efficacy of Allogeneic processed thymus tissue can be decreased when used in combination with Pegaspargase. Altretamine The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Pegaspargase is combined with Altretamine. Amsacrine The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Pegaspargase is combined with Amsacrine. Identify potential medication risksEasily compare up to 40 drugs with our drug interaction checker.Get severity rating, description, and management advice.Learn more - Food Interactions
- Avoid excessive or chronic alcohol consumption. Alcohol and pegaspargase can both cause hepatoxicity, therefore if they are used together they may have additive hepatoxic effects.
Products
- Drug product information from 10+ global regionsOur datasets provide approved product information including:dosage, form, labeller, route of administration, and marketing period.Access drug product information from over 10 global regions.
- Brand Name Prescription Products
Name Dosage Strength Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image Lyophilized Pegaspargase Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution 750 [iU]/1mL Intravenous Servier Pharmaceuticals 2020-08-03 Not applicable US Lyophilized Pegaspargase Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution 750 U/1mL Intramuscular Baxalta US Inc. 2018-02-07 2020-05-16 US Oncaspar Injection, solution 750 U/ml Intramuscular; Intravenous Les Laboratoires Servier 2016-09-08 Not applicable EU Oncaspar Injection, solution 750 [iU]/1mL Intramuscular; Intravenous Sigma Tau Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 1994-02-01 2016-11-30 US Oncaspar Injection, solution 750 [iU]/1mL Intramuscular; Intravenous Baxalta US Inc. 1994-02-01 2020-05-16 US Oncaspar Liquid 750 unit / mL Intramuscular; Intravenous Aventis Pharma Ltd. 1998-10-13 2004-01-02 Canada Oncaspar 750 U/ml Les Laboratoires Servier 2020-12-16 Not applicable EU Oncaspar Solution 750 unit / mL Intramuscular; Intravenous Servier 2017-06-01 Not applicable Canada Oncaspar Injection, solution 750 [iU]/1mL Intramuscular; Intravenous Servier Pharmaceuticals LLC 2020-01-02 Not applicable US
Categories
- ATC Codes
- L01XX24 — Pegaspargase
- Drug Categories
- Alcohols
- Amidohydrolases
- Antineoplastic Agents
- Antineoplastic and Immunomodulating Agents
- Asparaginase
- Asparagine-specific Enzyme
- Compounds used in a research, industrial, or household setting
- Delayed-Action Preparations
- Enzymes
- Enzymes and Coenzymes
- Ethylene Glycols
- Glycols
- Hydrolases
- Immunosuppressive Agents
- Macromolecular Substances
- Pegylated agents
- Polymers
- Thyroxine-binding globulin inhibitors
- Chemical TaxonomyProvided by Classyfire
- Description
- Not Available
- Kingdom
- Organic Compounds
- Super Class
- Organic Acids
- Class
- Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives
- Sub Class
- Amino Acids, Peptides, and Analogues
- Direct Parent
- Peptides
- Alternative Parents
- Not Available
- Substituents
- Not Available
- Molecular Framework
- Not Available
- External Descriptors
- Not Available
- Affected organisms
- Humans and other mammals
Chemical Identifiers
- UNII
- 7D96IR0PPM
- CAS number
- 130167-69-0
References
- General References
- Graham ML: Pegaspargase: a review of clinical studies. Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2003 Sep 26;55(10):1293-302. [Article]
- External Links
- UniProt
- P37595
- Genbank
- U00096
- PubChem Substance
- 46505366
- 34132
- ChEMBL
- CHEMBL2108546
- PharmGKB
- PA164760860
- RxList
- RxList Drug Page
- Drugs.com
- Drugs.com Drug Page
- Wikipedia
- Pegaspargase
- FDA label
- Download (400 KB)
Clinical Trials
- Clinical Trials
Pharmacoeconomics
- Manufacturers
- Not Available
- Packagers
- Ben Venue Laboratories Inc.
- Enzon Inc.
- Dosage Forms
Form Route Strength Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution Intramuscular 750 U/1mL Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution Intravenous 750 [iU]/1mL Injection, powder, for solution Intramuscular; Intravenous 750 U/ML Injection, solution Intramuscular; Intravenous 750 U/ML Injection, solution Intramuscular; Intravenous 750 [iU]/1mL Liquid Intramuscular; Intravenous 750 unit / mL Solution Intramuscular; Intravenous 750 unit / mL Solution Intramuscular; Intravenous 750 IU - Prices
Unit description Cost Unit Oncaspar 750 unit/ml vial 656.0USD ml DrugBank does not sell nor buy drugs. Pricing information is supplied for informational purposes only.- Patents
- Not Available
Properties
- State
- Liquid
- Experimental Properties
Property Value Source hydrophobicity 0.059 Not Available isoelectric point 4.67 Not Available
Targets

References
- Overington JP, Al-Lazikani B, Hopkins AL: How many drug targets are there? Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2006 Dec;5(12):993-6. [Article]
- Imming P, Sinning C, Meyer A: Drugs, their targets and the nature and number of drug targets. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2006 Oct;5(10):821-34. [Article]
- Douer D, Yampolsky H, Cohen LJ, Watkins K, Levine AM, Periclou AP, Avramis VI: Pharmacodynamics and safety of intravenous pegaspargase during remission induction in adults aged 55 years or younger with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood. 2007 Apr 1;109(7):2744-50. [Article]
- Wetzler M, Sanford BL, Kurtzberg J, DeOliveira D, Frankel SR, Powell BL, Kolitz JE, Bloomfield CD, Larson RA: Effective asparagine depletion with pegylated asparaginase results in improved outcomes in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Cancer and Leukemia Group B Study 9511. Blood. 2007 May 15;109(10):4164-7. Epub 2007 Jan 30. [Article]
- Dinndorf PA, Gootenberg J, Cohen MH, Keegan P, Pazdur R: FDA drug approval summary: pegaspargase (oncaspar) for the first-line treatment of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Oncologist. 2007 Aug;12(8):991-8. [Article]
Carriers
- Kind
- Protein
- Organism
- Humans
- Pharmacological action
- No
- Actions
- Inhibitor
- General Function
- Serine-type endopeptidase inhibitor activity
- Specific Function
- Major thyroid hormone transport protein in serum.
- Gene Name
- SERPINA7
- Uniprot ID
- P05543
- Uniprot Name
- Thyroxine-binding globulin
- Molecular Weight
- 46324.12 Da
Drug created at June 13, 2005 13:24 / Updated at June 26, 2022 10:21