Prediction and Prevention of PEG-Asparaginase Associated Pancreatitis, Hepatotoxicity and Hyperlipidemia in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Leukemia is the leading cause of cancer in children in Europe and the U.S. with an annual incidence of appoximately 3,5 cases per 100.000 children 0-14,9 years.

Although the rate of cure has increased significantly, treatment is still unsuccesfull in appoximately 20 % of the patients. There is great variation in the how the individual patient processes the different chemotherapeutic agents. Furthermore there is a signifikant difference regarding the severity of sideeffects and toxicities. So far it has not been possible to predict which patients are at speciel risk of developing toxicities.

Acute pancreatitis is a severe sideffect/toxicity when treating ALL. Patients are at risk of developing pancreatitis, because of the drug Asparaginase. The condition can not be prevented and in severe cases, e.g. hemorhaggic pancreatitis the only solution is to discontinue the drug, in spite of the fact that Asparaginase is on of the most important drugs when treating leukemia.

In the current study we will map the occurence of pancreatitis, hepatotoxicity and hyperlipidemia among approximately 1000 children and adolescents with leukemia. This study is unique because it is the largest study of its kind regarding Asparaginase associated pancreatitis. Among other things it will involve extensive genetic analysis.

We believe that this study will improve the possibilities, not only, for individualized treatmentVi mener at dette studie vil forbedre mulighederne for individ orienteret behandling, but also for other studies like this regarding other toxicities in patients with cancer.