HOW DO ONCOLOGY ENZYMES WORK?

Oncology enzymes are a class of drugs used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow), lymphoblastic lymphoma (cancer of immature lymphocytes, cells of the immune system called lymphoblasts), gout (a condition caused by an abnormal accumulation of uric acid in the blood characterized by sudden, severe pain, redness, and swelling in one or more joints), and hyperuricemia (elevated uric acid level in the blood) caused by tumor break down in people with certain types of cancer who are being treated with chemotherapy medications.

Oncology enzymes are a component of a multiagent chemotherapeutic regimen that works by metabolizing the conversion of uric acid to allantoin (five to ten times more soluble than uric acid) which reduces the risk of precipitate formation and development of gout.

Oncology enzymes are administered via intramuscular (into a muscle) and intravenous (into a vein) routes.

Oncology enzymes work in the following ways:

• They are enzymes that interfere with natural substances necessary for cancer cell growth.
• They work by starving the tumor cells of certain essential nutrients, which prevents the growth of cancer cells.
• They belong to a class of medications called “PEGylated uric acid specific enzymes” that work by decreasing the amount of uric acid in the body.
• After chemotherapy treatment, cancer cells are destroyed, releasing large amounts of uric acid into the bloodstream. They aid in the elimination of uric acid by the kidneys.
• In addition, they work by depleting the stores of an important amino acid called “asparagine,” which is involved in DNA synthesis and survival of malignant cells, thus leading to cell death.

Oncology enzymes are used in conditions such as:

• Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow)
• Lymphoblastic lymphoma (cancer of immature lymphocytes, cells of the immune system called lymphoblasts)
• Hyperuricemia caused by tumor lysis 
• Gout (painful inflammatory arthritis caused by an accumulation of uric acid)

Some of the common side effects include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Sore throat
• Loss of appetite
• Tiredness/weakness
• Mucositis (inflammation and ulceration of the digestive tract lining)

Other rare side effects include:

• Dizziness 
• Fatigue 
• Fever/chills
• Rash/hives
• Chest pain
• Frequent urination
• Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
• Swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose level)
• Hyperbilirubinemia (increased bilirubin)
• Increased liver enzymes
• Insomnia 
• Tachycardia (fast heart rate)
• Stomatitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth)
• Hyperphosphatemia (high blood phosphate level)
• Urticaria (an outbreak of pale red bumps or welts on the skin)
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Pyrexia (fever)

Information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.

Generic and brand names of oncology enzymes include:

• Asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi
• Asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi recombinant
• Asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi recombinant-rywn
• Asparlas
• Calaspargase pegol
• Calaspargase pegol-mknl
• Elitek
• Erwinaze
• Krystexxa
• Oncaspar
• PEG L asparaginase
• Pegaspargase
• Pegloticase
• Rasburicase
• Rylaze