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.