Definition

A recombinant form of asparaginase derived from the bacterium Erwinia chrysanthemi, genetically engineered to be produced in Pseudomonas fluorescens, with potential antineoplastic activity. Upon administration, asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi-rywn hydrolyzes L-asparagine to L-aspartic acid and ammonia. This depletes cancer cells of asparagine, which blocks protein synthesis and tumor cell proliferation. Asparagine is critical to protein synthesis in cancer cells, which cannot synthesize this amino acid due to the absence of the enzyme asparagine synthase. Asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi can be used as an alternative in patients who are hypersensitive to Escherichia (E.) coli-derived asparaginase products.