Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Today Alisha will be receiving two intramuscular shots. One to each thigh. The medicine is called asparaginase (PEG).
Asparaginase (EC 3.5.1.1) is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of asparagine to aspartic acid. It is marketed under the brand name Elspar, to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and is also used in some mast cell tumor protocols. Unlike other chemotherapy agents, it can be given as an intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intravenous injection without fear of tissue irritation.
The rationale behind asparaginase is that it takes advantage of the fact that ALL leukemic cells are unable to synthesize the non-essential amino acid asparagine whereas normal cells are able to make their own asparagine, thus leukemic cells require high amount of asparagine. These leukemic cells depend on circulating asparagine. Asparaginase however catalyzes the conversion of L-asparagine toaspartic acid and ammonia. This deprives the leukemic cell of circulating asparagine.
Alisha was moved out of the isolation part of the OICU. She now has a roommate. There is also a good chance that she will be going home Saturday September 12, 2009.
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