Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia patients treated with PEGasparaginase develop antibodies to PEG and the succinate linker.

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) conjugated asparaginase (PEGasparaginase) is essential for treatment of paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. We developed an assay identifying antibodies against the PEG-moiety, the linker and the drug itself in patients experiencing hypersensitivity reactions to PEGasparaginase. Eighteen patients treated according to the DCOG ALL-11 protocol, with a neutralizing hypersensitivity reaction to PEGasparaginase to the first PEGasparaginase doses in induction (12 patients) or during intensification after interruption of several months (6 patients) were included.

Differences in the reporting rates of serious allergic adverse events from intravenous iron by country and population.

Background: Previous studies have compared rates of adverse events between intravenous (IV) iron preparations; however, there has been no comparison of adverse event rates by country and population.

Objectives: To compare rates of adverse events to IV iron products by country and population.

Methods: All adverse events reported from 18 countries from January 1, 2003 to June 30, 2009 were obtained for iron dextran (ID), iron sucrose (IS), IS similars (ISS), and sodium ferric gluconate (FG).

Differences in spontaneously reported hypersensitivity and serious adverse events for intravenous iron preparations: comparison of Europe and North America.

Spontaneously-reported rates of adverse events (AEs) of intravenous (i.v.) iron products have not been compared since 2007.