Pegylated L-asparaginase (specialist)

Pegaspargase

Brand names: Oncaspar

Pegaspargase is a specialist parenteral enzyme used as a component of combination chemotherapy in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It is a pegylated form of L-asparaginase that depletes circulating asparagine, which leukaemic lymphoblasts cannot synthesise, thereby starving them of this amino acid and inhibiting protein synthesis.

Prescribing in practice

Serious hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis can occur, so it must be given where resuscitation facilities are available and patients observed after administration.
It can cause pancreatitis, coagulation disturbances with thrombosis or bleeding, and hyperglycaemia, all of which require monitoring.
Hepatotoxicity may occur and treatment should be administered only under specialist supervision.

Monitoring

Monitor coagulation parameters, blood glucose, amylase or lipase and liver function during treatment.

Counselling the patient

Report severe abdominal pain, excessive thirst, or any rash, swelling or breathing difficulty.
Attend for the blood tests arranged to check clotting and blood sugar.

Evidence & guidelines

Use is guided by the Summary of Product Characteristics and established paediatric and adult leukaemia treatment protocols.

Reference: NICE TA408; UKALL trial protocols; ESMO; SmPC; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Pathways