title: Lucinactant: a novel synthetic surfactant for the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome.
abstract: Lucinactant (Surfaxin, Discovery Laboratories) is a synthetic surfactant, which contains the novel peptide, sinapultide, a surfactant-associated protein B mimic. Randomised clinical trials suggest that this compound is a safe and effective treatment for respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants. It is also being actively investigated for other indications, including meconium aspiration syndrome, treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in neonates, acute respiratory distress syndrome and asthma. A novel aerosol formulation administered with nasal continuous positive airway pressure is also under development for treatment of respiratory insufficiency in neonates. Its non-animal origin may make it an attractive alternative to present animal-derived surfactants by eliminating the risks of infection and immunogenicity related to the latter.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, F5790 C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0254, USA. smdonnmd@med.umich.edu
authors.forename: Steven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Donn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004338:Drug Combinations; D015507:Drugs, Investigational / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005233:Fatty Alcohols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010715:Phosphatidylglycerols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D015507:Drugs, Investigational; D005233:Fatty Alcohols; D010715:Phosphatidylglycerols; D011506:Proteins; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants; C502722:lucinactant