New indication for Oncaspar given OK

July 31, 2006

The PEG-enhanced version of L-asparaginase, pegaspargase (Oncaspar, Enzon Pharmaceuticals), has been approved by the FDA as a component of a multi-agent chemotherapeutic regimen for the first-line treatment of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The biologic was approved in 1994 only for patients with ALL who were allergic to L-asparaginase.

New indication for Oncaspar given OK

The PEG-enhanced version of L-asparaginase, pegaspargase (Oncaspar, Enzon Pharmaceuticals), has been approved by the FDA as a component of a multi-agent chemotherapeutic regimen for the first-line treatment of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The biologic was approved in 1994 only for patients with ALL who were allergic to L-asparaginase. In clinical trials, pegaspargase demonstrated a three-year event-free survival rate of approximately 80%. Due to its longer half-life, said the manufacturer, one dose of pegaspargase results in antileukemic activity similar to six to nine doses of unmodified L-asparaginase, resulting in a more convenient dosage regimen of every 14 days versus twice weekly.

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