Asparaginase activity monitoring and management of asparaginase
hypersensitivity reactions in Canada
Abstract
Background Pegaspargase (PEG), can cause anti-asparaginase (ASP)
antibody formation, which can decrease its effectiveness without causing
any clinically-apparent reaction (CAR) (silent inactivation [SI]).
When a patient has SI, a switch to Erwinia ASP is warranted, but there
is currently a global shortage of Erwinia. Up to 30% of patients
receiving PEG will experience a CAR, while only 8% of patients will
experience SI; the only way to distinguish between these is by measuring
an ASP level. However, routine ASP monitoring is not currently standard
of care at all Canadian centres. This study aims to identify variations
in practice regarding ASP monitoring and Erwinia use. Procedure A
21-item survey was developed using OPINIO software and distributed to
all Pediatric Hematology-Oncologists in Canada from Feb-Oct 2020.
Results Respondents represented 15 hospitals across each region of
Canada (response rate=52%). Only 39.2% of respondents reported
routinely measuring ASP levels, yet 53% of respondents have modified
therapy from PEG to Erwinia in up to half of their patients. The most
common reason for not measuring ASP levels was not knowing how to use
levels clinically (25.5%). There was variation in the timing of levels
and their target. Conclusions We identified substantial variation in ASP
activity monitoring practices across Canada. Therefore, future research
should aim to develop a national practice guideline on ASP activity
monitoring.