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Minimizing AEs With Asparaginase in ALL

CE / CME

Asparaginase-Based Therapy in ALL: Strategies to Increase Completion of Therapy and Minimize AEs

Physicians: Maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit

ABIM MOC: maximum of 1.00 Medical Knowledge MOC point

Released: July 29, 2025

Expiration: January 28, 2026

Pretest

Progress
1 2 3
Course Completed
Please answer the questions below.
1.

Patient Case: 6-Yr-Old Patient With T-Cell ALL



  • 6-yr-old patient with T-cell ALL

    • WBC count 384,000 at diagnosis

    • CNS2



  • Treated with a COG-based regimen: 1 dose of PEG-ASNase in induction and 4-6 additional scheduled doses

    • MRD 9.4% via flow cytometry at end of induction



  • Patient experienced possible hypersensitivity reaction starting after completing initial PEG-ASNase dose (2500 IU/m2 IV) given on Day 4 of induction

    • Patient experiences vomiting, stomachache, and rash (no hives)



Which of the following approaches would you recommend for this 6-yr-old patient?

2.

Patient Case: 12-Yr-Old Patient With B-ALL



  • 12-yr-old patient with B-cell precursor ALL

    • WBC count 22,000 at diagnosis

    • Neutral cytogenetics

    • CNS1



  • Treated with a COG-based regimen: 1 dose of PEG-ASNase in induction and 4-6 additional scheduled doses

    • MRD: 0.15% via flow cytometry at end of induction



  • Patient experienced hypersensitivity reaction after second PEG-ASNase dose (2500 IU/m2 IV) given on Day 15 of consolidation

    • Grade 3 reactions: rash, stomach pain, bronchospasm, reduced blood pressure



Which of the following approaches would you recommend for this 12-yr-old patient?

3.

Patient Case: 18-Yr-Old Patient With B-Cell ALL



  • 18-yr-old female patient with no PMH and BMI of 38 kg/m2 presents to  emergency room at adult hospital with shortness of breath and fatigue

    • WBC 6.1 K/µL with 53% blasts

    • Peripheral blood flow cytometry: CD34+, CD10+, CD19+, TdT+, sCD22+(dim), CD20-neg

    • FISH negative for t(9;22) and KMT2A



  • Patient is diagnosed with B-cell ALL

  • She starts treatment on pediatric-based regimen including Cal-PEG

    • Bilirubin increased following Cal-PEG administration; peak of 20 mg/dL with  AST of 154 U/L and ALT of 302 U/L

    •  Over 6 wk, bilirubin and liver transaminases gradually trended down to WNL



Which of the following approaches would you recommend for this 18-yr-old patient?