Dornasum 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 fbrosis.
Dornasum alfa has recently been shown to improve lung function in non-cystic fibrosis pre-term infants atelectasis where other therapies have failed.
In studies conducted, Dornasum alfa has been thought to help resolve mucus secretion in COVID-19 patients as well as in the treatment of cystic fibrosis, but since it is taken with nebulizer in general use and there is a possibility of aerosolization of the virus, it is not preferred in most medical centers to avoid secondary infections.