Faculty Collaboration Database

Levocarnitine for pegaspargase-induced hepatotoxicity in older children and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Cancer Med 2021 Nov;10(21):7551-7560

Date

09/17/2021

Pubmed ID

34528411

Pubmed Central ID

PMC8559504

DOI

10.1002/cam4.4281

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85114952403 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   12 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pegaspargase (PEG-ASP) is an integral component of therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) but is associated with hepatotoxicity that may delay or limit future therapy. Obese and adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients are at high risk. Levocarnitine has been described as potentially beneficial for the treatment or prevention of PEG-ASP-associated hepatotoxicity.

METHODS: We collected data for patients age ≥10 years who received levocarnitine during induction therapy for ALL, compared to a similar patient cohort who did not receive levocarnitine. The primary endpoint was conjugated bilirubin (c.bili) >3 mg/dl. Secondary endpoints were transaminases >10× the upper limit of normal and any Grade ≥3 hepatotoxicity.

RESULTS: Fifty-two patients received levocarnitine for prophylaxis (n = 29) or rescue (n = 32) of hepatotoxicity. Compared to 109 patients without levocarnitine, more patients receiving levocarnitine were obese and/or older and had significantly higher values for some hepatotoxicity markers at diagnosis and after PEG-ASP. Levocarnitine regimens varied widely; no adverse effects of levocarnitine were identified. Obesity and AYA status were associated with an increased risk of conjugated hyperbilirubinemia and severe transaminitis. Multivariable analysis identified a protective effect of levocarnitine on the development of c.bili >3 mg/dl (OR 0.12, p = 0.029). There was no difference between groups in CTCAE Grade ≥3 hepatotoxicity. C.bili >3 mg/dl during induction was associated with lower event-free survival.

CONCLUSIONS: This real-world data on levocarnitine supplementation during ALL induction highlights the risk of PEG-ASP-associated hepatotoxicity in obese and AYA patients, and hepatotoxicity's potential impact on survival. Levocarnitine supplementation may be protective, but prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Author List

Schulte R, Hinson A, Huynh V, Breese EH, Pierro J, Rotz S, Mixon BA, McNeer JL, Burke MJ, Orgel E

Author

Michael James Burke MD Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Adult
Antineoplastic Agents
Asparaginase
Carnitine
Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury
Child
Female
Humans
Induction Chemotherapy
Male
Pediatric Obesity
Polyethylene Glycols
Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma
Survival Analysis
Young Adult