Evaluation of intramuscular versus intravenous administration of L-asparaginase in childhood leukemia.

A study was done to evaluate intramuscular versus intravenous administration of L-asparaginase in childhood leukemia. The results of this study demonstrate that the intramuscular method of administering L-asparaginase is as effective, but less toxic, than the intravenous method for children with advanced leukemia. The utilization of L-asparaginase in the initial induction of children with lymphoblastic and undifferentiated leukemia should be investigated. Its addition to the standard inducing agents may increase the percentage and ease of remission without significantly increasing toxicity.