# Appel IM, van Kessel-Bakvis C, Stigter R, Pieters R: Influence of two different regimens of concomitant treatment with asparaginase and dexamethasone on hemostasis in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Leukemia. 2007 Jun 7;. "Pubmed":http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17554375 # http://www.google.com/patents/EP2046369A2 (en)
Asparaginase converts asparagine to aspartic acid and ammonia. It facilitates production of oxaloacetate which is needed for general cellular metabolism. Some malignant cells lose the ability to produce asparagine and so the loss of exogenous sources of asparagine leads to cell death. (en)
Masao Nambu, "Process for producing immobilized L-asparaginase preparations for the therapy of leukemia." U.S. Patent US4617271, issued January, 1977. (en)