Message Boards for the CF Trust

Replies: 10 Pages: 1

L.k.

Posts: 36
From: Wales
Registered: 09-Nov-2006

Dnase- does it work?
Posted: 14-Dec-2006 09:14

Reply

Can anyone help me with some information about Dnase.

After a call from Respironics (the i-neb people) I realised that Tom had been put on Dnase (the fax to our G.P.'s was lost so we never received the prescription) just before he moved to Adults.
His new team says it works for some and not others.

How many of you are on Dnase and do you think it works?

Did anyone have an improvement in lung function?

Did anyone have a trial and then say no?

Thanks L.K.

goff

Posts: 6
From: midlands
Registered: 27-Nov-2006

Re: Dnase- does it work?
Posted: 14-Dec-2006 09:19

Reply

Hi - my son (age 16) went on a trial of it last summer. Whilst he couldn't perceive any noticeable benefits it did increase his lung function somewhere between 8 and 10% so he has been kept on it.
Cheers
Claire

Darling

Posts: 731
From: Here
Registered: 06-Feb-2004

Re: Dnase- does it work?
Posted: 14-Dec-2006 09:55

Reply

It works in about a third of patients if I recall correctly.

I've been on it for many years and have maintained good lung function and ability to move secretions. However, I am now using hypertonic saline and find secertions even easier to clear. I'm sure the bean counters will be pleased

FiC

Posts: 337
From: North of Aberdeen
Registered: 09-Feb-2004

Re: Dnase- does it work?
Posted: 14-Dec-2006 10:10

Reply

It works for me, but not my sister - she had a trial and said no.

Hit or miss I think!

joanna

Posts: 8
From: australia
Registered: 05-Dec-2006

Re: Dnase- does it work?
Posted: 14-Dec-2006 10:33

Reply

Hi there

Here's a post I lifted from the US forum which I thought should be shared around.

Genetics & Environmental Law Weekly

December 16, 2006

FIBROSIS;
Scientists at Ghent University target fibrosis

SECTION: EXPANDED REPORTING; Pg. 95

LENGTH: 446 words

Scientists discuss in "Role of magnesium in the failure of rhDNase therapy in
patients with cystic fibrosis" new findings in fibrosis. According to recent
research from Ghent, Belgium, "In the management of cystic fibrosis (CF),
rhDNase-I inhalation is widely used to facilitate the removal of the highly
viscous and elastic mucus (often called sputum) from the lungs. However, an
important group of CF patients does not benefit from rhDNase-I treatment."
"A study was undertaken to elucidate the reason for the failure of rhDNase-I in
these patients and to evaluate strategies to overcome this. The biochemical
properties, physical properties, and degradation by rhDNase-I of sputum obtained from clinical responders and non-responders to rhDNase-I were compared, and the
ability of magnesium to reactivate rhDNase-I in DNA solutions and in sputum was
investigated. The effect of oral magnesium supplements on magnesium levels in
the sputum of patients with CF was also examined. Sputum from clinical
responders was extensively degraded in vitro on incubation with rhDNase-I, while
sputum from clinical non-responders was not degraded: the median decrease in
sputum elasticity in the two groups was 32% and 5%, respectively. Sputum from
clinical responders contained significantly higher concentrations of magnesium
than sputum from non-responders (2.0 mM v 1.3 mM; p=0.020). Sputum that could
not be degraded by rhDNase-I became degradable after preincubation with
magnesium. The effect of magnesium on rhDNase-I activity was mediated through
actin," wrote N.N. Sanders and colleagues, Ghent University.
The researchers concluded: "Oral intake of magnesium enhanced the magnesium
concentration in the sputum of CF patients. Increasing the magnesium concentration in sputum by, for example,
oral magnesium supplements may be a promising new strategy to overcome the
failure of rhDNase-I in patients with CF."

softie

Posts: 1,070
From: Croydon, Surrey
Registered: 07-Feb-2004

Re: Dnase- does it work?
Posted: 14-Dec-2006 13:17

Reply

That's very interesting Joanna, thanks for that!

Richard.

Oli

Posts: 201
From: Milton Keynes, England
Registered: 12-Feb-2004

Re: Dnase- does it work?
Posted: 14-Dec-2006 15:38

Reply

I've been on DNase for years and find it an enourmous benefit to keep things moving. If I miss a dose I can really tell, because everything is stickier and heavier and harder to clear.

But, like everyone has said, it seems to vary between people. Unlike some treatments, though, I've not heard of DNase doing any harm, so it's got to be worth giving it a whirl if the team recommends it.

Jathy

Posts: 39
Registered: 07-Nov-2006

Re: Dnase- does it work?
Posted: 14-Dec-2006 19:10

Reply

I've said this before on here, but I find DNase amazing stuff. It helped my lung function no end in my 20s when I hit a rough patch and I was put on it.
It is certainly worth a go and the team should check lung function after a couple of weeks use to see if there is any difference.

Recently, I've had a few lapses in treatment and I can tell the difference in not having it.

Take care

-x-SaRaH-x-

Posts: 37
From: Northampton
Registered: 29-Nov-2006

Re: Dnase- does it work?
Posted: 14-Dec-2006 20:04

Reply

It's hard to say. If it works on someone, it doesn't necessarily mean it will work on you, and vice versa. I went on a trial about 2 years gao now methinks and it did absolutely nothing for me, but after having another bash at it I found it really helped, and I've been on it now for about 6 months ...

Even if it doesn't work this time, it still might work later on ...

xx

xx

Oli

Posts: 201
From: Milton Keynes, England
Registered: 12-Feb-2004

Re: Dnase- does it work?
Posted: 14-Dec-2006 22:21

Reply

Yes, Sarah makes a good point: if it doesn't necessarily work this time, don't dismiss it as an option forever - it may turn up being useful in the future.

sandylizz

Posts: 97
From: Shrewsbury
Registered: 10-Nov-2006

Re: Dnase- does it work?
Posted: 15-Dec-2006 15:34

Reply

I find it great stuff and if i miss a dose I reaaly notice the difference to...

xx Sandy xx