Determination of L-asparagine in biological samples in the presence of L-asparaginase.

The antileukaemic efficacy of L-asparaginase is related to the ability of the enzyme to induce the complete disappearance from plasma of L-asparagine, an amino acid essential to lymphoblastic leukaemia cells. It is not feasible to monitor L-asparagine plasma levels in patients under L-asparaginase treatment using the usual analytical procedures as the enzyme continues the hydrolysis of L-asparagine after blood sampling and during plasma extraction. A method was therefore developed for the determination of L-asparagine in patients receiving L-asparaginase. Sulphosalicylic acid is added to blood samples to deproteinize and inactivate L-asparaginase rapidly. The samples are then analysed by HPLC using a Novapack C18 column and fluorescence detection. With the same method L-asparagine is determined in blood cells and, by difference, plasma levels are calculated. This method is highly specific and sufficiently simple and sensitive for clinical use.