Pegasparaginase treatment alters thrombin generation by modulating the protein C and S system in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoma

Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 2015 Oct;26(7):840-3. doi: 10.1097/MBC.0000000000000356.

Abstract

Paediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoma treated with pegasparaginase are at an increased risk of thrombosis. We evaluated changes in thrombin generation in the presence and absence of thrombomodulin using paired plasma samples collected from paediatric patients treated with pegasparaginase. Postpegasparaginase samples were significantly less sensitive to reductions in thrombin generation in the presence of thrombomodulin compared with prepegasparaginase, suggesting reduced protein C and S activity. This corresponded to a significant decrease in protein C and protein S antigen. Alterations in the protein C and S pathway may contribute to the increased risk of thrombosis in patients treated with pegasparaginase.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Asparaginase / administration & dosage
  • Asparaginase / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / drug therapy*
  • Protein C / metabolism*
  • Protein S / metabolism*
  • Thrombin / drug effects*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Protein C
  • Protein S
  • Thrombin
  • Asparaginase