asparaginase

[uh-spar-uh-juh-neys, -neyz]

noun

Biochemistry, Pharmacology.

1. an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of asparagine to aspartic acid and ammonia, used in the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Word History and Origins

Origin of asparaginase¹

First recorded in 1960–65; asparagine + -ase

Example Sentences

"Ideally, we aim for venetoclax to potentiate the anti-leukemia properties of asparaginase while keeping its toxicity levels in check. These concepts warrant further investigation in future clinical trials."

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The global supply of high-quality medicines is also of key concern, said Lam, pointing to issues with asparaginase, an essential medicine for the most common childhood cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, as an example.

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Role of activating transcription factor 4 in the hepatic response to amino acid depletion by asparaginase.

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“People who have the enzyme asparaginase, it breaks down asparagine, which is what is in asparagus, and their urine doesn’t smell,” O’Leary says.

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But her medical records show she was taking methotrexate, vincristine, doxorubicin, asparaginase, prednisone, cyclophosphamide and cytarabine, and had 12 rounds of radiation to her developing brain.

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