The authors review some historical data connected with the discovery of the enzyme l-asparaginase and then summarize the basic informations concerning the mechanism of action, clinical application, toxicity and future prospectives of this substance. From the clinical viewpoint, a broader use of l-asparaginase prepared from Erwinia carotovora instead of Escherichia coli seems to be warranted.

1st Clinic of Internal Medicine Medical Faculty Palacký University Olomouc Czechoslovakia