Lyophilized pegaspargase shows similar activity and safety to liquid form for pediatric leukemia patients.

Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia need powerful medicines to fight the disease. One common drug is pegaspargase, usually given as a liquid. Now, doctors in Russia tested a new version called lyophilized pegaspargase. This form is dried and stored differently, which might make it easier to handle in some clinics. The team compared this new version to the standard liquid version they already use. They looked at how well the drug worked in the blood and how often side effects happened. The results came from two parts of the study involving 89 children in the first part and 74 who continued in the second. The researchers found that the new form worked just as well as the liquid one. The levels of drug activity in the blood were very similar between the two groups. Side effects also appeared at similar rates for both versions. This means the new form is safe and effective for these young patients. The study supports using this new version in Russia. It offers a practical option without losing the power to fight the disease. This change could help clinics manage their supplies better while keeping patients safe.