ALBERT

Description: Introduction Pegaspargase (PEG) is a critical component of therapy for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL); however, complete asparaginase treatment may be hampered by the development of hypersensitivity reactions. Inadequate exposure to asparaginase has been shown to result in inferior outcomes (Gupta 2020). Although Erwinia asparaginase can be utilized as a replacement in patients with PEG allergy, recent shortages of Erwinia leave some patients who develop allergy to PEG without an alternative. Premedication with antihistamines and corticosteroids, as well as decreasing the pegaspargase infusion rate have been proposed as approaches to reduce hypersensitivity reactions (Cooper 2019, Bade 2019, Stock 2019). We evaluated the episodes of hypersensitivity reactions to PEG during three time periods with differing premedication and infusion practices at a single institution. Methods We utilized pharmacy records to conduct a retrospective chart review on PEG administration at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta from June 2017 to May 2020. Abstraction captured data on clinical hypersensitivity reactions to PEG over 3 time periods. PEG 2500 units/m2 was delivered as an intravenous infusion according to the schedules used in Children's Oncology Group ALL protocols. In the first time period (P1, June 22, 2017 to June 21, 2018) PEG was infused over 1 hour without premedication. In the second period (P2, June 22, 2018 to May 19, 2019) PEG was infused over 1 hour following premedication with ranitidine and diphenhydramine. In the final period (P3, May 20, 2019 to May 19, 2020) PEG was infused over 2 hours with normal saline piggyback intravenous fluids following premedication with ranitidine (or famotidine), diphenhydramine and hydrocortisone. Asparaginase activity was measured 7-10 days after PEG doses in consolidation and subsequent phases in P1 and P2, and also after induction in P3. Silent inactivation was defined as asparaginase activity