Activity-improved human Asparaginase for Cancer therapy Amino acid depletion therapy is a promising way to treat cancer. It exploits the differences in the way healthy and cancer cells process nutrients. Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is treated in this way with bacterial Asparaginase (ASNase). However, many ALL patients develop an allergic reaction to the drug, which often leads to treatment restrictions and discontinuation. Scientists at the University of Göttingen have developed human ASNase variants that are as active as the current bacterial enzymes, but less likely to cause an allergic reaction.