Spotlight on Rasburicase in Anticancer Therapy-Induced Hyperuricemia

Intravenous rasburicase (Elitek), Fasturtec) is the first recombinant uricolytic agent. It is indicated for the management of anticancer therapy-induced hyperuricemia in pediatric patients in the EU and US, and in adult patients in the EU. Rasburicase is effective and generally well tolerated in adult and pediatric patients with, or at risk of developing, anticancer therapy-induced hyperuricemia. It is associated with potentially serious hematologic adverse events and hypersensitivity reactions, which must be considered prior to and during administration; rasburicase is contraindicated in patients predisposed to hemolysis or methemoglobinemia and in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Unlike allopurinol, rasburicase acts on existing uric acid concentrations. Rasburicase treatment resulted in significantly less systemic exposure to uric acid and a quicker therapeutic response than allopurinol in pediatric patients; further studies are needed to determine the comparative efficacy and tolerability of rasburicase versus allopurinol in adult patients. Although further pharmacoeconomic data would be useful, rasburicase was most cost effective for the prevention of hyperuricemia in children and for treatment of this condition in adults. Thus, rasburicase is a useful option for the prophylaxis or treatment of anticancer therapy-induced hyperuricemia in both adult and pediatric patients.