Coagulation abnormality as a complication of L-asparaginase therapy in childhood lymphoblastic leukemia

  • Djajadiman Gatot
  • Keumala Pringgardini
  • Rulina Suradi
Keywords: L-asparaginase, childhood ALL, coagulation, bleeding

Abstract

Background Bleeding, one of the most common symptoms of
acute leukemia in untreated patients, is mostly due to thrombocy-
topenia as a result of myeloinvasion by leukemic cells. Neverthe-
less, a further contributory factor for the additional hemorrhagic
complication during intensive chemotherapy is the myelosuppressive
effect of most active drugs. L-asparaginase, one of the cytostatics
used during remission induction therapy for childhood of acute
lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), is widely reported to impair the he-
mostatic system.
Objective To determine the influence of shorter courses of L-as-
paraginase (L-Ase) on some of the hemostatic parameters in the
treatment of childhood ALL.
Methods A prospective analytical study was carried out in the
Department of Child Health, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital Jakarta
from July 1, 1999 to June 30, 2001 on newly diagnosed ALL pa-
tients with normal liver function tests treated according to our na-
tional ALL protocol which one of its composition contained 6 in-
stead of 9 injections of L-asparaginase.
Results All of 30 children with ALL included in the study, experi-
enced prolongation of prothrombin time (PT), activated partial
thromboplastin time (aPTT), and decreased fibrinogen concentra-
tion, markedly during the administration of L-asparaginase. How-
ever, none of the patients had additional hemorrhage or evidence
of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).
Conclusion The use of shorter courses of L-asparaginase, 6 in-
jections, in the remission induction chemotherapy of childhood ALL
in our department may reduce the blood clotting factors without
further hemorrhage complication or evidence of DIC

Author Biographies

Djajadiman Gatot
Hematology Division, Department of Child Health, Medical
School, University of Indonesia, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Keumala Pringgardini
Hematology Division, Department of Child Health, Medical
School, University of Indonesia, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Rulina Suradi
Hematology Division, Department of Child Health, Medical
School, University of Indonesia, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia.

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Published
2016-10-18
How to Cite
1.
Gatot D, Pringgardini K, Suradi R. Coagulation abnormality as a complication of L-asparaginase therapy in childhood lymphoblastic leukemia. PI [Internet]. 18Oct.2016 [cited 25Nov.2024];46(1):46-0. Available from: https://paediatricaindonesiana.org/index.php/paediatrica-indonesiana/article/view/854
Section
Articles
Received 2016-10-10
Accepted 2016-10-10
Published 2016-10-18