Dornase alfa (proprietary name Pulmozyme from

Genentech Genentech, Inc., is an American biotechnology corporation headquartered in South San Francisco, California. It became an independent subsidiary of Roche in 2009. Genentech Research and Early Development operates as an independent center within ...

) is a highly purified solution of recombinant human

deoxyribonuclease I Deoxyribonuclease I (usually called DNase I), is an endonuclease of the DNase family coded by the human gene DNASE1. DNase I is a nuclease that cleaves DNA preferentially at phosphodiester linkages adjacent to a pyrimidine nucleotide, yielding ...

(rhDNase), an

enzyme Enzymes () are proteins that act as biological catalysts by accelerating chemical reactions. The molecules upon which enzymes may act are called substrates, and the enzyme converts the substrates into different molecules known as products. ...

which selectively cleaves DNA. Dornase alfa hydrolyzes the DNA present in sputum/mucus of cystic fibrosis patients and reduces

viscosity The viscosity of a fluid is a measure of its resistance to deformation at a given rate. For liquids, it corresponds to the informal concept of "thickness": for example, syrup has a higher viscosity than water. Viscosity quantifies the inter ...

in the lungs, promoting improved clearance of secretions. This protein therapeutic agent is produced in

Chinese hamster ovary Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are an epithelial cell line derived from the ovary of the Chinese hamster, often used in biological and medical research and commercially in the production of recombinant therapeutic proteins. They have found wid ...

cells.

Cystic fibrosis

Dornase alfa is the most recent therapeutic agent developed with this basic mechanism of action. Prior to the cloning of the human enzyme,

bovine Bovines (subfamily Bovinae) comprise a diverse group of 10 genera of medium to large-sized ungulates, including cattle, bison, African buffalo, water buffalos, and the four-horned and spiral-horned antelopes. The evolutionary relationship betwe ...

DNase I was on the market for many years, though its utility was limited by the inherent antigenic response to a cow protein in the lungs of patients. Other DNases, such as

DNase II Deoxyribonuclease II (, '' DNase II'', ''pancreatic DNase II'', ''deoxyribonucleate 3'-nucleotidohydrolase'', ''pancreatic DNase II'', ''acid deoxyribonuclease'', ''acid DNase'') is an endonuclease that hydrolyzes phosphodiester linkages of deoxy ...

, have therapeutic potential as well, but no further DNases have been brought to market yet for cystic fibrosis. Dornase alfa is an

orphan drug An orphan drug is a pharmaceutical agent developed to treat medical conditions which, because they are so rare, would not be profitable to produce without government assistance. The conditions are referred to as orphan diseases. The assignment o ...

Contraindications

* Hypersensitivity to dornase alfa * Hypersensitivity to Chinese hamster ovary cell products

Economy

Dornase alpha 1000 units (1 mg/ml)2.5ml (2500units) = £18.52 (GBP)

Off label use

Dornase alfa has recently been shown to improve lung function in non-cystic fibrosis pre-term infants

atelectasis Atelectasis is the collapse or closure of a lung resulting in reduced or absent gas exchange. It is usually unilateral, affecting part or all of one lung. It is a condition where the alveoli are deflated down to little or no volume, as distinct ...

where other therapies have failed. In studies conducted, Dornase alfa has been thought to help resolve mucus secretion in COVID-19 patients as well as in the treatment of cystic fibrosis, but since it is taken with nebulizer in general use and there is a possibility of aerosolization of the virus, it is not preferred in most medical centers to avoid secondary infections.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dornase Alfa Drugs acting on the respiratory system Recombinant proteins Hoffmann-La Roche brands Genentech brands de:Desoxyribonuklease#Verwendung als Arzneistoff