Abstract:l‐Asparaginase treatment during induction therapy in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is known to be frequently complicated by thromboembolic events. It was recently suggested thatl‐asparaginase derived fromErwinia chrysanthemialters the coagulation system less severely than doesEscherichia coliasparaginase. In a series of 11 adult patients with ALL, we investigated some parameters of the coagulation system during treatment withErwiniaasparaginase. The doses employed were rather high; all patients below the age of 60 years received 15000 U/m2daily over 14 days. In accordance with what is known from treatment withE. coliasparaginase, we observed significant lowering of antithrombin as well as of fibrinogen. However, as to fibrinogen indeed a significant decrease had occurred prior to the institution ofErwiniaasparaginase treatment. The most striking observation in the present study was that the levels of prothrombin complex, reflecting the function of K‐vitamin dependent coagulation factors II, VII and X, remained within normal ranges during treatment. This indicates that these coagulation factors were not affected byErwiniaasparaginase, an observation at variance with several reports whereE. coliasparaginase was investigated. This latter observation was the only finding which could lend support to the view thatErwiniaasparaginase affects the coagulation system less thanE. coliasparaginase. Finally, one of our patients developed a sinus thrombosis, a severe thrombotic complic
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