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Calaspargase pegol
Source: Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treatment (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: April 21, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.
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Calaspargase pegol is another formulation of pegylated asparaginase that is also available for the treatment of children and adolescents with ALL.[27] This formulation is similar in structure to pegaspargase, except with a different linker between the L-asparaginase enzyme and the PEG moiety, resulting in a longer half-life.[28,29]
Evidence (calaspargase pegol vs. pegaspargase):
In a COG study, 165 patients with high-risk B-ALL were randomly assigned to receive either calaspargase pegol or pegaspargase during the induction phase of ALL therapy.[28]
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In a COG study, 165 patients with high-risk B-ALL were randomly assigned to receive either calaspargase pegol or pegaspargase during the induction phase of ALL therapy.[28]
The mean half-life of calaspargase pegol was approximately 2.5 times longer than pegaspargase.
In a COG study, 165 patients with high-risk B-ALL were randomly assigned to receive either calaspargase pegol or pegaspargase during the induction phase of ALL therapy.[28]
The total systemic exposure to calaspargase pegol was greater than for pegaspargase.
In a COG study, 165 patients with high-risk B-ALL were randomly assigned to receive either calaspargase pegol or pegaspargase during the induction phase of ALL therapy.[28]
Twenty-five days after a dose of calaspargase pegol, 95% of patients maintained an asparaginase level higher than 0.1 IU/mL, compared with 28% of patients who received pegaspargase.
In a COG study, 165 patients with high-risk B-ALL were randomly assigned to receive either calaspargase pegol or pegaspargase during the induction phase of ALL therapy.[28]
Evidence of end-induction minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity was similar between the two drugs (74% and 72%).
In a COG study, 165 patients with high-risk B-ALL were randomly assigned to receive either calaspargase pegol or pegaspargase during the induction phase of ALL therapy.[28]
The toxicity profile of the two drugs was similar.
In a DFCI trial of calaspargase pegol in patients with newly diagnosed ALL, all patients received one dose of either calaspargase pegol or pegaspargase as part of induction therapy. After induction, 230 patients were randomly assigned to receive either calaspargase pegol every 3 weeks (10 doses) or pegaspargase every 2 weeks (15 doses).[29]
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In a DFCI trial of calaspargase pegol in patients with newly diagnosed ALL, all patients received one dose of either calaspargase pegol or pegaspargase as part of induction therapy. After induction, 230 patients were randomly assigned to receive either calaspargase pegol every 3 weeks (10 doses) or pegaspargase every 2 weeks (15 doses).[29]
At day 25 after the induction dose, 88% of patients who received calaspargase pegol had an asparaginase level higher than 0.1 IU/mL, compared with 17% of patients who received pegaspargase.
In a DFCI trial of calaspargase pegol in patients with newly diagnosed ALL, all patients received one dose of either calaspargase pegol or pegaspargase as part of induction therapy. After induction, 230 patients were randomly assigned to receive either calaspargase pegol every 3 weeks (10 doses) or pegaspargase every 2 weeks (15 doses).[29]
There was no difference in end-of-induction MRD.
In a DFCI trial of calaspargase pegol in patients with newly diagnosed ALL, all patients received one dose of either calaspargase pegol or pegaspargase as part of induction therapy. After induction, 230 patients were randomly assigned to receive either calaspargase pegol every 3 weeks (10 doses) or pegaspargase every 2 weeks (15 doses).[29]
There was no difference in the frequency of toxicities (37%).
In a DFCI trial of calaspargase pegol in patients with newly diagnosed ALL, all patients received one dose of either calaspargase pegol or pegaspargase as part of induction therapy. After induction, 230 patients were randomly assigned to receive either calaspargase pegol every 3 weeks (10 doses) or pegaspargase every 2 weeks (15 doses).[29]
The 5-year EFS rates were similar for calaspargase pegol and pegaspargase (88.1% vs. 84.9%).
Calaspargase pegol has only been approved for use in the United States for patients younger than 22 years.
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Preserved source evidence · Not medical advice