Recombinant human DNase inhalation in normal subjects and patients with cystic fibrosis: a phase 1 study

Article Abstract:

Recombinant (genetically engineered) human DNase (rhDNase) may improve lung function and breathing without causing any adverse side effects in patients with the genetic disorder cystic fibrosis (CF). Twelve patients with cystic fibrosis and 12 healthy individuals between 18 and 65 years old were inhaled aerosolized rhDNAse three times per day Monday through Friday for two weeks, and were treated with one dose of rhDNase twenty-one days later. Both the healthy individuals and the CF patients tolerated treatment with rhDNase well, and neither developed antibodies, or proteins that attack foreign particles in the body, against rhDNase. None of the individuals experienced adverse side effects from treatment with rhDNase, and none had an allergic reaction. CF patients had improved lung function and less shortness of breath after treatment with rhDNase. CF patients who have lung infections have high levels of DNA in their lungs. The DNA increases the thickness of lung secretions. Treatment with aerosolized rhDNase breaks up DNA in the lungs, and decreases the thickness of lung secretions.

Drug therapy

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A preliminary study of aerosolized recombinant human deoxyribonuclease I in the treatment of cystic fibrosis

Article Abstract:

Recombinant (genetically engineered) human deoxyribonuclease I (rhDNase) may improve lung function in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). CF patients have high concentrations of DNA in their lungs that cause the formation of thick secretions. RhDNase breaks down the DNA in these secretions, and improves lung function. Out of 11 adult patients with cystic fibrosis, seven were treated with 10 milligrams (mg) of aerosolized rhDNase twice a day for six days followed by six days of treatment with placebo, an inactive substance. The four other patients were treated first with placebo followed by treatment with rhDNase. Treatment with rhDNase increased lung function in the morning and early evening significantly compared to treatment with placebo. Patients produced the same volume of sputum during treatment with rhDNase and treatment with placebo. Among 16 patients who were treated with different dosages of aerosolized rhDNase, higher dosages did not increase lung function more than lower dosages.

Care and treatment

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Maintenance of alveolitis in patients with chronic beryllium disease by beryllium-specific helper T cells

Article Abstract:

Beryllium disease is caused by constant low-level exposure to the element beryllium. Lymphocytes, T cells and macrophages, cells of the immune system which fight off foreign substances in the body, overreact to beryllium and accumulate in the lung area. To determine whether the immune response, particularly that of the T cell, is specific or to beryllium or not, the blood of eight patients with beryllium disease and five healthy controls was examined. It was found that the increase of T cells in the lungs is moderated specifically by beryllium. The accumulated T cells therefore play a role in the development of the disease and indicate a hypersensitivity in susceptible individuals. Since not every person exposed to beryllium gets the disease, the response of T cells could be used to identify those individuals at risk.

Analysis, Physiological aspects, Lung diseases, T cells, Delayed hypersensitivity, Beryllium, Alveolitis

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