Asparaginase
/api/v1/drug/asparaginaseMechanism of action
Sourced from openFDAAsparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi (recombinant)-rywn is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of the amino acid L-asparagine into aspartic acid and ammonia. The pharmacological effect of RYLAZE is based on the killing of leukemic cells due to depletion of plasma asparagine.
Indications
Sourced from openFDA- RYLAZE is indicated as a component of a multi-agent chemotherapeutic regimen for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) in adult and pediatric patients 1 month or older who have developed hypersensitivity to E. coli -derived asparaginase.ICD-10: C85.90, C95.90
Contraindications
Sourced from openFDA- RYLAZE is contraindicated in patients with: • History of serious hypersensitivity reactions to Erwinia asparaginase , including anaphylaxis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] ; • History of serious pancreatitis during previous asparaginase therapy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] ; • History of serious thrombosis during previous asparaginase therapy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] ; • History of serious hemorrhagic events during previous asparaginase therapy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] ; • Severe hepatic impairment [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 ) ]. RYLAZE is contraindicated in patients with: • History of serious hypersensitivity reactions to RYLAZE, including anaphylaxis.contraindicated
Dosage & administration
Sourced from openFDAThere are two RYLAZE regimens that can be used to replace a long-acting asparaginase product. The recommended dosages of RYLAZE are: When administered every 48 hours • 25 mg/m 2 intramuscularly every 48 hours; When administered Monday/Wednesday/Friday • 25 mg/m 2 intramuscularly on Monday morning and Wednesday morning and 50 mg/m 2 intramuscularly on Friday afternoon. ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage There are two RYLAZE regimens that can be used to replace a long-acting asparaginase product. The recommended dosages of RYLAZE are: When administered every 48 hours: • 25 mg/m 2 administered intramuscularly every 48 hours; When administered on a Monday/Wednesday/Friday schedule: • 25 mg/m 2 intramuscularly on Monday morning and Wednesday morning, and 50 mg/m 2 intramuscularly on Friday afternoon. Administer the Friday afternoon dose 53 to 58 hours after the Wednesday morning dose (e.g., 8:00 am on Monday and Wednesday, and 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Friday) [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ), Clinical Studies ( 14 )] . Table 1 shows the number of RYLAZE dosages recommended for the intended duration of treatment for replacement of one dose of calaspargase pegol products (3 weeks of asparaginase coverage) or one dose of pegaspargase products (2 weeks of asparaginase coverage). See the full prescribing information for the long-acting asparaginase product to determine the total duration of administration of RYLAZE as replacement therapy.
Warnings & precautions
Sourced from openFDA• Hypersensitivity: Monitor for signs or symptoms. Discontinue RYLAZE for serious reaction. ( 5.1 ) • Pancreatitis: Monitor for symptoms. Discontinue if pancreatitis occurs. ( 5.2 ) • Thrombosis: Discontinue RYLAZE for severe or life-threatening thrombosis. Provide anticoagulation therapy as indicated. ( 5.3 ) • Hemorrhage: Discontinue RYLAZE for severe or life-threatening hemorrhage. ( 5.4 ) • Hepatotoxicity, including hepatic veno-occlusive disease: Discontinue RYLAZE for grade 4 increases of bilirubin. ( 5.5 ) 5.1 Hypersensitivity Reactions Hypersensitivity reactions after the use of RYLAZE occurred in 29% of patients in clinical trials, and it was severe in 6% of patients [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] . Anaphylaxis was observed in 2% of patients after intramuscular administration. Discontinuation of RYLAZE due to hypersensitivity reactions occurred in 5% of patients. Hypersensitivity reactions were higher in patients who received intravenous asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi (recombinant)-rywn. The intravenous route of administration is not approved. In patients administered RYLAZE intramuscularly in clinical trials, the median number of doses of RYLAZE that patients received prior to the onset of the first hypersensitivity reaction was 12 doses (range: 1-64 doses). The most commonly observed reaction was rash (19%), and 1 patient (1%) experienced a severe rash.
Adverse reactions
Sourced from openFDAThe following clinically significant adverse reactions are described in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: • Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Pancreatic Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] • Thrombosis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] • Hemorrhage [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] • Hepatotoxicity, including VOD [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Most common adverse reactions (incidence > 20%) are abnormal liver test, nausea, musculoskeletal pain, infection, fatigue, headache, febrile neutropenia, pyrexia, hemorrhage, stomatitis, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, drug hypersensitivity, hyperglycemia, diarrhea, pancreatitis, and hypokalemia. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Jazz Pharmaceuticals Ireland Limited at 1-800-520-5568 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The safety of RYLAZE described in the WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS reflect exposure in 167 patients administered RYLAZE intramuscularly at various dosages when used in combination with chemotherapy in study JZP458-201 [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )] . These patients received a median of 4 courses of RYLAZE (range: 1-15 courses); 65% of patients received at least four courses.
Use in specific populations
Sourced from openFDA• Lactation: Advise not to breastfeed. ( 8.2 ) 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on findings from animal reproduction studies, RYLAZE can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. There are no available data on RYLAZE use in pregnant women to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. In animal reproductive and developmental toxicity studies, intramuscular administration of asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis resulted in structural abnormalities and embryo-fetal mortality ( see Data ) at exposures below those in patients at the recommended human dose. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risks of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies are 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data Animal reproductive and developmental toxicity studies have not been conducted with RYLAZE. In embryofetal development studies, asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi was administered intramuscularly every other day during the period of organogenesis to pregnant rats (at 3, 6, or 12 mg/m 2 ) and rabbits (at 0.12, 0.30, or 0.48 mg/m 2 ).
Pharmacokinetics
Sourced from openFDA- Metabolism
- The pharmacokinetic parameters of asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi (recombinant)-rywn are presented based on serum asparaginase activity (SAA) after administration of RYLAZE in pediatric and young adult patients with ALL or LBL, unless otherwise specified. Asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi (recombinant)-rywn maximum SAA (C max ) and area under the SAA-time curve (AUC) increase proportionally over a dosage range from 12.5 to 50 mg/m 2 (0.25 to 1 times the maximum approved recommended dose of 50 mg/m 2 ).
Approval history
Sourced from openFDA- Jun 30, 2021BLABLA761179Jazz Pharms
FAERS reports
- 1Hyperammonaemia3110%
- 2Febrile Neutropenia258.3%
- 3Nausea247.9%
- 4Off Label Use247.9%
- 5Hypersensitivity217.0%
- 6Pancreatitis175.6%
- 7Urticaria175.6%
- 8Vomiting175.6%
- 9Rash165.3%
- 10Neutropenia155.0%
- 11Ammonia Increased124.0%
- 12Anaphylactic Reaction124.0%
- 13Herpes Simplex113.6%
- 14Systemic Candida113.6%
- 15Cerebral Candidiasis103.3%
Literature
Recent PubMed references pinned to Asparaginase as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
- Biochemical characterisation of a new thermotolerant L-asparaginase produced by Cunninghamella echinulata PA3S12MM isolated from the Atlantic Forest.Archives of microbiology · 2026 · Von Groll S, da Silva LC, Souza PHN, et al.PMID 42249953DOI 10.1007/s00203-026-04984-6
- Efficient production of L-asparaginase using recombinant Pichia pastoris and strategy to eliminate glutaminase activity.Biotechnology letters · 2026 · Das S, Chandna T, Singh K, et al.PMID 42247194DOI 10.1007/s10529-026-03748-y
- [Analysis of Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis of Asparaginase-Associated Pancreatitis in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia].Zhongguo shi yan xue ye xue za zhi · 2026 · Huang S, Ma P, Guan YJ, et al.PMID 42227423DOI 10.19746/j.cnki.issn1009-2137.2026.02.04
- Economic burden associated with switching from frontline pegaspargase or calaspargase pegol to second-line recombinant Erwinia in pediatrics and adolescents/young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.Journal of medical economics · 2026 · McCormick M, Gu T, Bhagnani T, et al.PMID 42166382DOI 10.1080/13696998.2026.2668972
- Structural basis and functional mining of active site loop for fine tuning substrate affinity of L-asparaginase from Bacillus licheniformis.Journal of hazardous materials · 2026 · Chi H, Jiang Q, Wang W, et al.PMID 42102559DOI 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2026.142189
- Pleurotus ostreatus L-asparaginase's use in food safety and biotechnology: from processing assistance to bioactive agent.Microbial cell factories · 2026 · Mahmoud YA, Bedaiwy M, Salem MM, et al.PMID 42083015DOI 10.1186/s12934-026-03007-9
- Multi-Dimensional Data Integration Reveals the Molecular Mechanism of Metabolic Reprogramming Associated With Low Asparaginase Expression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.Frontiers in bioscience (Landmark edition) · 2026 · Dang Y, Deng Y, Tang Y, et al.PMID 42052835DOI 10.31083/FBL49215
- Impact of Dosing Interval Adherence on Pharmacokinetic Outcomes of Recombinant Erwinia Asparaginase in Pediatric Leukemia or Lymphoma.Pharmacotherapy · 2026 · Matherne MM, Panetta JC, Hopp J, et al.PMID 42011546DOI 10.1002/phar.70146
Clinical trials
The 10 most recently updated of 316 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Asparaginase as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.
- A Study to Compare Blinatumomab Alone to Blinatumomab With Nivolumab in Patients Diagnosed With First Relapse B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL)Recruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 461 enrolled · National Cancer Institute (NCI)NCT04546399updated 2026-06-12
- A Study to Learn More About the Study Medicine Called Inotuzumab Ozogamicin (InO) in Children (1 to <18 Years) With First Relapse ALLRecruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 100 enrolled · PfizerNCT05748171updated 2026-06-11
- Testing the Addition of the Anti-cancer Drug Venetoclax and/or the Anti-cancer Immunotherapy Blinatumomab to the Usual Chemotherapy Treatment for Infants With Newly Diagnosed KMT2A-rearranged or KMT2A-non-rearranged LeukemiaRecruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 153 enrolled · National Cancer Institute (NCI)NCT06317662updated 2026-06-11
- Testing Blinatumomab With or Without Revumenib in Patients With B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia With a Genetic Change Requiring More TreatmentNot yet recruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 90 enrolled · SWOG Cancer Research NetworkNCT07636564updated 2026-06-09
- Inotuzumab Ozogamicin in Treating Younger Patients With B-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma or Relapsed or Refractory CD22 Positive B Acute Lymphoblastic LeukemiaRecruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 80 enrolled · Children's Oncology GroupNCT02981628updated 2026-06-05
- Study of CM4620 to Reduce the Severity of Pancreatitis Due to AsparaginaseRecruiting · Phase 1 · Phase 2 · Interventional · 42 enrolled · St. Jude Children's Research HospitalNCT04195347updated 2026-06-03
- A Study Testing the Combination of Dasatinib or Imatinib to Chemotherapy Treatment With Blinatumomab for Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults With Philadelphia Chromosome Positive (Ph+) or ABL-Class Philadelphia Chromosome-Like (Ph-Like) B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL)Recruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 222 enrolled · National Cancer Institute (NCI)NCT06124157updated 2026-06-03
- TINI 2: Total Therapy for Infants With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia IIRecruiting · Phase 1 · Phase 2 · Interventional · 90 enrolled · Tanja Andrea GruberNCT05848687updated 2026-06-03
- Combination Chemotherapy With or Without Bortezomib in Treating Younger Patients With Newly Diagnosed T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia or Stage II-IV T-Cell Lymphoblastic LymphomaActive not recruiting · Phase 3 · Interventional · 847 enrolled · National Cancer Institute (NCI)NCT02112916updated 2026-06-03
- Blinatumomab in Treating Younger Patients With Relapsed B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic LeukemiaActive not recruiting · Phase 3 · Interventional · 669 enrolled · National Cancer Institute (NCI)NCT02101853updated 2026-06-03
Frequently asked questions
- How does Asparaginase work?
- Asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi (recombinant)-rywn is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of the amino acid L-asparagine into aspartic acid and ammonia. The pharmacological effect of RYLAZE is based on the killing of leukemic cells due to depletion of plasma asparagine.
- What is Asparaginase used for?
- According to FDA labeling, Asparaginase carries indications including: RYLAZE is indicated as a component of a multi-agent chemotherapeutic regimen for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) in adult and pediatric patients 1 month or older who have developed hypersensitivity to E. coli -derived asparaginase.. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.
- What class of drug is Asparaginase?
- Asparaginase is classified as Other antineoplastic agents, Asparagine-specific Enzyme, Enzyme Interactions, Decreased Protein Synthesis.
- What are the brand names for Asparaginase?
- Asparaginase is marketed under brand names including Erwinaze, Rylaze.
- What are the contraindications for Asparaginase?
- Asparaginase labeling lists contraindications including: RYLAZE is contraindicated in patients with: • History of serious hypersensitivity reactions to Erwinia asparaginase , including anaphylaxis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] ; • History of serious pancreatitis during previous asparaginase therapy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] ; • History of serious thrombosis during previous asparaginase therapy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] ; • History of serious hemorrhagic events during previous asparaginase therapy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] ; • Severe hepatic impairment [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 ) ]. RYLAZE is contraindicated in patients with: • History of serious hypersensitivity reactions to RYLAZE, including anaphylaxis.. Always consult the full prescribing information and a clinician.
asparaginase is illustrative MVP content compiled from public sources. pharmacopeia is for educational and informational use only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.