L-Asparaginase-Induced Hepatotoxicity Treated Successfully With L-Carnitine and Vitamin B Infusion

Cureus. 2021 Aug 5;13(8):e16917. doi: 10.7759/cureus.16917. eCollection 2021 Aug.

Abstract

Asparaginase plays an integral role in chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We present a 69-year old woman with refractory ALL, who developed asparaginase-induced hepatotoxicity and cholangiopathy after starting intravenous PEG-L-asparaginase-based chemotherapy. The patient was ultimately treated with the combination of L-carnitine and vitamin B complex, resulting in normalization of liver enzymes levels. This case highlights the consideration of PEG-L asparaginase chemotherapy-induced liver steatosis, injury, and cholangiopathy as well as the role of L-carnitine and vitamin B complex as treatment.

Keywords: acute lymphocytic leukemia; asparaginase; cholangiopathy; drug-induced hepatotoxicity; l-carnitine; severe hepatotoxicity; vitamin b.

Publication types

  • Case Reports