L-asparaginase is used in the treatment of:
(A) AML (B) ALL (C) CML (D) CLL
(B) Ans: B. ALL(Ref: Goodman Cilrmm 12/c p1720; Katzung 13Ie p938-939, 12/e p968; KDT 7Ie p868).* Asparaginase (L-asparagine amidohydrolase) is an enzyme used to treat childhood ALL* Drug is isolated and purified from Escherichia coli or Erwinia chrysanthemi for clinical use. - It hydrolyzes circulating L-asparagine to aspaic acid and ammonia. - Because tumor cells in ALL lack asparagine synthetase, they require an exogenous source of L!asparagine. - Thus, depletion of L-asparagine results in effective inhibition of protein synthesis.* In contrast, normal cells can synthesize L-asparagine and thus are less susceptible to the cytotoxic action of asparaginase.