Inactivation of Complement by L-Asparaginase Preparations not Correlated with Enzyme Content

Abstract

DELÁGE et al.¹ recently reported that L-asparaginase (L-A) in vitro inhibits human and guinea-pig whole serum complement and that L-A is a potent activator of C1. They therefore proposed that their results may “give a clue to the severe anaphylactic reactions noted in some patients on administration of the drug”. Because guinea-pig serum contains L-A in high quantities and Deláge et al. used reagents and methods that make their data difficult to interpret on a molecular basis, we have reinvestigated the effect of L-A preparations on human and guinea-pig complement.