Clinical data | |
---|---|
Trade names | Pulmozyme |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a694002 |
Pregnancy category |
|
Routes of administration |
Inhalation |
ATC code | |
Legal status | |
Legal status |
|
Identifiers | |
CAS Number | |
DrugBank | |
ChemSpider |
|
UNII | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.029.685 |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C1321H1999N339O396S9 |
Molar mass | 29253.9 g/mol |
(what is this?) |
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.
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.
Dornase alpha 1000 units (1 mg/ml)2.5ml (2500units) = £18.52 (GBP)
Dornase alfa has recently been shown to improve lung function in non-cystic fibrosis pre-term infants atelectasis where other therapies have failed.