Mechanically ventilated patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have a mortality of 24-53%, in part due to distal mucopurulent secretions interfering with ventilation. Dornase alfa is recombinant human DNase 1 and digests DNA in mucoid sputum. Nebulized dornase alfa is FDA-approved for cystic fibrosis treatment. DNA from neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) contributes to the viscosity of mucopurulent secretions. NETs are found in the serum of patients with severe COVID-19, and targeting NETs reduces mortality in animal models of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Thus, dornase alfa may be beneficial to patients with severe COVID-19-acting as a mucolytic and targeting NETs.
Demographic, clinical data, and outcomes were collected from the electronic medical records
of five mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19-including three requiring veno-venous
extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO)-treated with nebulized in-line endotracheal
dornase alfa co-administered with albuterol (used to increase delivery to the alveoli),
between March 31 and April 24, 2020. Data on tolerability and responses, including
longitudinal values capturing respiratory function and inflammatory status, were analyzed.
Drug: Dornase Alfa
nebulized in-line endotracheal dornase alfa co-administered with albuterol
Other Name: albuterol
Inclusion Criteria:
- mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19
Exclusion Criteria:
- healthy, non-ventilated
Feinstein Insitute for Medical Research at Northwell Health
Manhasset, New York, United States
Betsy J Barnes, Principal Investigator
Feinstein Institute for Medical Research