l-Asparaginase: a feasible therapeutic molecule for multiple diseases

Abstract

This note highlights our understanding and thinking about the feasibility of l-asparaginase as therapeutics for multiple diseases. l-asparaginase enzyme (l-asparagine amidohydrolase, EC 3.5.1.1) is prominently known for its chemotherapeutic application. It is primarily used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children. It is also used in the treatment of other forms of cancer Hodgkin disease, lymphosarcoma, acute myelomonocytic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, reticulosarcoma and melanosarcoma (Lopes et al. Crit Rev Biotechnol 23:1–18, 2015). It deaminates l-asparagine present in the plasma pool causing the demise of tumor cell due to nutritional starvation. The anti-tumorigenic property of this enzyme has been exploited for over four decades and evidenced as a boon for the cancer patients. Presently, the medical application of l-asparaginase is limited only in curing various forms of cancer.