Leukemia & lymphoma, Volume 63, Issue 11, 14 2 2022, Pages 2663-2670 Solving coagulation conundrums: comparing prophylaxis strategies in adult patients receiving PEG-asparaginase. Chen Y, Buhlinger K, Perissinotti AJ, Schepers AJ, Benitez L, Auten J, Chen SL, Bixby DL, Burke PW, Pettit KM, Marini BL
PEG-asparaginase is a key component in treatment regimens for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Major side effects include thrombosis and bleeding; however, there is currently no consensus on methods to prevent these complications. In this multi-center retrospective cohort study of 101 adults, we compared two prophylaxis strategies: cryoprecipitate and fresh frozen plasma (Cryo/FFP) versus cryoprecipitate and antithrombin (ATIII). The overall incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) was not significantly different between the two groups (19.7% for Cryo/FFP and 8.6% in Cryo/ATIII, p = 0.17), and neither was grade ≥3 bleeding (3% for Cryo/FFP and 11.4% for Cryo/ATIII, p = 0.18). Given the significant cost associated with ATIII without a clear benefit, a careful benefit and risk analysis should be considered before utilizing ATIII as a prophylaxis strategy to prevent thrombosis or bleeding following asparaginase administration.
