3.1 Type and dose of Asparaginase
The most common Asparaginase used by Indian pediatric oncologists is native E coli Asparaginase. Forty-one (51.2%) respondents used the native form exclusively, whereas 21 (26.3%) respondents used PEGylated Asparaginase exclusively and 18 (22.5%) respondents used both forms (Figure 1). Erwinia Asparaginase is unavailable in India and was not used. There was no statistically significant relationship between the practice setting and the type of Asparaginase used by the healthcare providers (p=0.489). There was significantly more utilisation of PEG Asparaginase among participants who had 5-10 years of experience (p=0.04). Fifty-six (70%) respondents used 10,000U/m2/dose of native Asparaginase. Sixteen (20%) and 8 (10%) respondents used native Asparaginase at 6,000U/m2/dose and variable dose, respectively. Most of the participants (78%, n=62) used a 72-hour dosing interval while administering native Asparaginase. In the case of PEGylated Asparaginase 39 (48.8%), 32 (40%) and 9 (11.3%) respondents utilised 1000U/m2/dose, 2500U/m2/dose and variable dose regimen respectively. When asked about the preferred route of administration of Asparaginase, 66% (n=53) used the intra-muscular (IM) route and 29% (n=23) respondents gave the drug by intra-venous (IV) route, details of which is depicted in Figure 2.