Immunological aspects of L-asparaginase treatment in children with lymphoproliferative disease.

14 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 6 with lymphosarcoma were treated in 13 cures with 300-500 IU/kg bodyweight/day of L-asparaginase and in 11 cures with 501-760 IU/kg/day. An increase of all fractions of immunoglobulins with maximal values at the end of the cures was observed in the group treated with low doses. In the children receiving the high doses of this drug, an increase was observed only in the first 3 or 4 days of therapy and a decrease occurred at the end of the cure. Decreased IgM levels at the end of therapy were noted in children with acute leukemia. Anti-asparaginase antibodies occurred only in 3 children with anaphylactic shock.