ERWINASE^®

10 000 Units, Lyophilisate for solution for injection.
Crisantaspase (Asparaginase from Erwinia chrysanthemi; Erwinia L-asparaginase)

ERWINASE is used in combination with other anti-neoplastic agents to treat Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). It may also be used in other neoplastic conditions where depletion of asparaginase might be expected to have a useful effect.*

Asparagine is an amino acid that is essential for cell growth; it is produced by most cells. Neoplastic cells associated with ALL are lacking asparaginase synthetase activity and rely on asparagine circulating in the blood for growth. L-Asparaginase is an enzyme that lowers circulating asparagine levels in the blood thereby depriving the mutated blood cells of asparagine and inhibiting their growth producing anti-neoplastic effect.

There are different types of L-asparaginase available, each derived from a different bacterium. Patients receiving treatment with L-asparaginase derived from Escherichia coli, who develop hypersensitivity to that form of the enzyme, may be able to continue treatment with ERWINASE as the enzymes are immunologically distinct. Antibodies targeting E. coli derived L-Asparaginase have been shown not to cross-react with ERWINASE.

ERWINASE is registered in the United Kingdom, Portugal, Netherlands, and Austria with registration in process in other countries. In many countries a physician may request ERWINASE be made available to named patients who fulfil a defined criteria. In the US, Erwinase is an Investigational New Drug (IND) which can only be made available on a named patient basis, the latest information on current Erwinase trials can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov

* UK SmPC.
Please note the exact wording of the approved indication may differ from country to country.

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