ASPARAGINASE Meaning and
Definition
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Asparaginase is a therapeutic enzyme that is used as a medication in the treatment of certain types of cancer, particularly leukemia. It is derived from the bacteria Escherichia coli or the bacterium Erwinia chrysanthemi. Asparaginase is one of the most effective drugs in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a type of cancer that affects the production of white blood cells.
The enzyme works by breaking down the amino acid asparagine into aspartic acid and ammonia. Cancerous cells, especially lymphoblastic leukemia cells, rely on asparagine for growth and survival. By depleting the levels of asparagine in the body, asparaginase inhibits the cancer cells' ability to proliferate and causes their death.
Asparaginase is administered into the bloodstream through intravenous injection or injected directly into a muscle. It can also be given intrathecally (into the spinal fluid) to treat central nervous system leukemia. The treatment often requires multiple doses over a period of time.
While asparaginase can be highly effective in killing cancer cells, it may also produce side effects. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, pancreatitis, allergic reactions, and coagulation problems. Additionally, asparaginase can deplete levels of other essential amino acids, leading to nutritional deficiencies.
Overall, asparaginase is a valuable medication used in the treatment of specific types of cancer, primarily leukemia. Its ability to reduce asparagine levels in the body helps to hinder the growth and survival of cancer cells, although it may also result in various side effects.
Common Misspellings for ASPARAGINASE
- zsparaginase
- ssparaginase
- wsparaginase
- qsparaginase
- aaparaginase
- azparaginase
- axparaginase
- adparaginase
- aeparaginase
- awparaginase
- asoaraginase
- aslaraginase
- as-araginase
- as0araginase
- aspzraginase
- aspsraginase
- aspwraginase
- aspqraginase
- aspaeaginase
Etymology of ASPARAGINASE
The word "asparaginase" is derived from the combination of two components: "asparagin" and "-ase".
- "Asparagin" refers to the amino acid called "asparagine", which was first discovered in 1806 by French chemists Pierre Jean Robiquet and Louis Nicolas Vauquelin. Asparagine is found in various foods, such as asparagus, from which its name is derived.
- "-ase" is a suffix commonly used in biochemistry to denote an enzyme. It is derived from the Greek word "-άσης" ("-asis"), which means "an enzyme or ferment".
When combined, "asparagin" and "-ase" in "asparaginase" create a word that signifies the enzyme capable of breaking down or hydrolyzing asparagine.
Similar spelling words for ASPARAGINASE
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