[GLCarlton]

L-asparaginase type 2 (L-ASN2) for multiple myeloma?

by GLCarlton on Thu May 14, 2015 5:26 pm

A news / consumer report I receive daily reports on a soon-to-be-cleared-by-the-FDA drug for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It acts by robbing the cancer cells of a vital nutrient called as­par­a­gine, causing the cancer cell to die. The name of the new medication is L-asparaginase type 2 (L-ASN2).

Through its action, it reportedly harms only the cancer cells, thereby limiting the side effects to the patient.

The article adds that there is potential use for this drug with other types of cancers as well. Would this possibly include multiple myeloma?

[Multibilly]

Re: L-asparaginase type 2 (L-ASN2) for multiple myeloma?

by Multibilly on Thu May 14, 2015 8:50 pm

That's really interesting.

You will sometimes hear dieticians and naturopaths suggest that one with multiple myeloma avoid eating asparagus, which contains asparagine (an amino acid, which is also the culprit behind making many people's pee smell like asparagus). I have therefore reluctantly avoided eating asparagus ever since my diagnosis.

L-aspariginase basically helps convert asparigine into aspartic acid and ammonia, denying the cancer cells of their yummy asparagine.

There have been studies that has looked at L-aspariginase for treating multiple myeloma:

CW Taylor et al, "A phase I and pharmacodynamic evaluation of polyethylene glycol-conjugated L-asparaginase in patients with advanced solid tumors," Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, Jan 2001 (abstract)

Excerpt:

The in vitro HTCA studies suggested [that L-aspariginase provides] good antitumor activity against malignant melanoma and multiple myeloma"

This study has a mixed bag of conclusions and observations:

NR Agrawal et al, "A Phase I–II trial of polyethylene glycol-conjugated L-asparaginase in patients with multiple myeloma," Cancer, July 2003 (full text of article)

[Mike F]

Re: L-asparaginase type 2 (L-ASN2) for multiple myeloma?

by Mike F on Fri May 15, 2015 1:42 pm

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think it's asparagine in as­par­a­gus that causes that lovely urinary odor. It's a different compound – asparagusic acid – which would cause the port-a-jons at an asparagus festival to become torture chambers. (There's an article here at the Smith­son­i­an magazine.). Asparagine lacks the sulfur atoms necessary to cause the formation of the sul­fur compounds responsible for the smell.

From what I can tell, potatoes, green beans, and some other foods have as much or more as­par­a­gine in them than asparagus. Not sure if that's an encouraging thing for those of us who like as­par­a­gus or not!

[Multibilly]

Re: L-asparaginase type 2 (L-ASN2) for multiple myeloma?

by Multibilly on Fri May 15, 2015 10:19 pm

Mike,

I stand corrected. Thanks!

http://www.asparagus-friends.com/asparagus-knowledge/why-urine-smells/

I stand corrected.