Incidence of venous thrombosis after peg-asparaginase in adolescent and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Aim: There are limited data describing incidence of symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) in adolescent and young adult (AYA) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients receiving peg-asparaginase.

Materials & methods: Single-institution retrospective analysis of 44 AYA ALL patients treated with peg-asparaginase. Rates of VTE and proposed risk factors were assessed.

Results: 18 patients (41%) had a symptomatic VTE following peg-asparaginase. The cumulative incidence rate was 25% (95% CI: 13-38%) within 30 days of the initial dose. Personal history of thrombosis was statistically significantly associated with an increased risk of VTE with HR of 2.73 (95% CI: 1.40-5.33, p = 0.003) after adjusting for gender.

Conclusion: These data indicate a high rate of VTE in the AYA ALL population following treatment with peg-asparaginase.