Asparaginase Potentiates Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteonecrosis in a Mouse Model

PLoS One. 2016 Mar 11;11(3):e0151433. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151433. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Osteonecrosis is a common dose-limiting toxicity of glucocorticoids. Data from clinical trials suggest that other medications can increase the risk of glucocorticoid-induced osteonecrosis. Here we utilized a mouse model to study the effect of asparaginase treatment on dexamethasone-induced osteonecrosis. Mice receiving asparaginase along with dexamethasone had a higher rate of osteonecrosis than those receiving only dexamethasone after 6 weeks of treatment (44% vs. 10%, P = 0.006). Similarly, epiphyseal arteriopathy, which we have shown to be an initiating event for osteonecrosis, was observed in 58% of mice receiving asparaginase and dexamethasone compared to 17% of mice receiving dexamethasone only (P = 0.007). As in the clinic, greater exposure to asparaginase was associated with greater plasma exposure to dexamethasone (P = 0.0001). This model also recapitulated other clinical risk factors for osteonecrosis, including age at start of treatment, and association with the systemic exposure to dexamethasone (P = 0.027) and asparaginase (P = 0.036). We conclude that asparaginase can potentiate the osteonecrotic effect of glucocorticoids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Asparaginase / pharmacology*
  • Dexamethasone / adverse effects*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Synergism
  • Escherichia coli / enzymology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Osteonecrosis / chemically induced*
  • Osteonecrosis / enzymology*
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Dexamethasone
  • Asparaginase