Understanding Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

An acute lymphoblastic leukemia patient and their partner speak with a doctor.

What is ALL?

ALL is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow that affects the white blood cells in the bone marrow and blood.

Here’s What Happens in ALL

Too many immature white blood cells (also called lymphoblasts or leukemic cells) are made in the bone marrow.

NORMAL BLOOD

A graphic showing red blood cells mixed with white blood cells in normal blood.

LEUKEMIA

A graphic showing leukemic cells mixed with red blood cells and platelets.

These white blood cells don’t work properly to fight infections. They grow more quickly and live longer than normal cells, so they crowd out the healthy blood cells the body needs.

Eventually, all of those immature cells spill out into the bloodstream and begin to cause problems elsewhere in the body, such as in the spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, liver, testicles, and the central nervous system.

A graphic showing the human body with red dots on areas where the immature white blood cells can cause problems after entering into the bloodstream.

Who is affected by ALL?

Although ALL is the most common type of childhood leukemia, it can also affect people between the ages of 15 and 39 years—often called adolescents and young adults (AYAs)—as well as older adults.

The median age at diagnosis is

17 years

46% of new ALL cases occur in people aged

≥20 years

If you have ALL and are within the AYA age group, you know that this is a time in your life for making plans and looking forward to your future.

Here are a few things to think about when discussing treatment options with your healthcare team:
A fetus in a pregnant woman's body

Even if you’re not thinking about having children now, it could be something you want in the future. Talk to your doctor about how different drugs included in your chemotherapy regimen may affect having children, and how you can preserve your fertility.

A calendar

Think about how treatment will integrate into your daily life, such as getting to appointments with your healthcare professional and being able to keep up with work or school.

When talking with your healthcare team about treatment, ask about the side effects that may affect you even long after treatment has ended.

Read about how ONCASPAR is a key part of treatment for ALL

LEARN MORE
Three acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients pose together and smile.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Section

ONCASPAR should not be given to patients who have had:

  • Serious allergic reactions to ONCASPAR (pegaspargase) or any of its ingredients
  • Serious blood clots, serious swelling of the pancreas (abdominal pain), or serious bleeding during previous L-asparaginase treatment
  • Serious impairment of liver function

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

ONCASPAR should not be given to patients who have had:

  • Serious allergic reactions to ONCASPAR (pegaspargase) or any of its ingredients
  • Serious blood clots, serious swelling of the pancreas (abdominal pain), or serious bleeding during previous L-asparaginase treatment
  • Serious impairment of liver function

ONCASPAR may cause serious side effects including:

  • Allergic reactions (Symptoms: hives and itching, a swollen tongue or throat, trouble breathing, dizziness, fainting)
  • Swelling of the pancreas (Symptoms: severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, diarrhea)
  • Blood clots (Symptoms: severe headache, arm or leg swelling, shortness of breath, chest pain)
  • Increased/excess sugar in the blood (Symptoms: Excessive thirst, increased amount of urine or urinary frequency)
  • Unusual bleeding or bruising
  • Abnormal liver function or damage (Symptoms: jaundice, severe nausea, vomiting)

Call or see your doctor right away if you develop any of these serious side effects or if symptoms get worse.

Before receiving ONCASPAR, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you:

  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. ONCASPAR can harm your unborn baby. You should not become pregnant during treatment with ONCASPAR. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with ONCASPAR.
  • Females who are able to become pregnant: You should use effective non-hormonal birth control (contraception) during treatment with ONCASPAR and for at least 3 months after the last dose.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if ONCASPAR passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with ONCASPAR and for 1 month after your last dose.

How will I receive ONCASPAR?

  • ONCASPAR will be given to you as an injection by your doctor as part of your chemotherapy treatment plan. It is important that you receive all of your treatment doses according to your doctor’s instructions.
  • During treatment, you will be monitored, and if you experience side effects, your doctor may have to change your treatment.

The most common side effects of ONCASPAR include: low albumin blood level (hypoalbuminemia), elevated liver enzymes, fever with low white blood cell count, abnormal elevation of triglyceride levels in the blood (hypertriglyceridemia), a high level of blood sugar (hyperglycemia), increased bilirubin level, swelling of the pancreas, abnormal clotting studies, embolic and thrombotic events, allergic reactions, sepsis, and infections.

This is not a complete list of side effects that may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about any side effects especially if they do not go away.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit

, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Servier Pharmaceuticals LLC at 1-800-807-6124.

For additional information, please refer to the ONCASPAR Full Prescribing Information and discuss any questions with your doctor.

ONCASPAR is a registered trademark of Servier IP UK Ltd., a wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary of Les Laboratoires Servier. Servier and the Servier logo are registered trademarks of Les Laboratoires Servier.