dornase alfa is a genetically engineered version of human DNAase
the sputum of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) contains large amounts of DNA - the viscoelastic property of sputum in CF patients is due to the inherent viscosity of DNA, and the mucus glycoproteins
nebulised dornase alfa is a well tolerated and safe treatment option in CF - dornase alfa reduces the viscosity of CF sputum by decreasing DNA strand size
there is evidence of medium-term improvement in lung function
NICE state that (1):
a mucoactive agent should be offered to people with cystic fibrosis who have clinical evidence of lung disease
rhDNase (dornase alfa; recombinant human deoxyribonuclease) should be offered as the first choice of mucoactive agent
if clinical evaluation or lung function testing indicates an inadequate response to rhDNase, consider both rhDNase and hypertonic sodium chloride or hypertonic sodium chloride alone
consider mannitol dry powder for inhalation for children and young people who cannot use rhDNase and hypertonic sodium chloride because of ineligibility, intolerance or inadequate response.
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