Dornase alfa

Dornase alfa

Clinical data
Trade names	Pulmozyme
AHFS/Drugs.com	monograph
MedlinePlus	a694002
Pregnancy category	US: B (No risk in non-human studies)
Legal status	US: ℞-only
Routes of administration	Inhalation
Identifiers
CAS Number	9003-98-9 Y
ATC code	R05CB13 (WHO)
DrugBank	DB00003 Y
UNII	953A26OA1Y N
Chemical data
Formula	C1321H1999N339O396S9
Molecular mass	29253.9 g/mol
NY (what is this?)  (verify)

A box of Pulmozyme

Dornase alfa (proprietary name Pulmozyme from Genentech) is a highly purified solution of recombinant human deoxyribonuclease I (rhDNase), an enzyme which selectively cleaves DNA. Dornase alfa hydrolyzes the DNA present in sputum/mucus of cystic fibrosis patients and reduces viscosity in the lungs, promoting improved clearance of secretions. This protein therapeutic agent is produced in Chinese hamster ovary 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 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, have therapeutic potential as well, but no further DNases have been brought to market yet for cystic fibrosis.

Dornase alfa is an orphan drug.

Contraindications

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

Economy

Dornase alpha 1000 units (1mg/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 where other therapies have failed.