tissue plasminogen activator + recombinant deoxyribonuclease

This combination therapy, consisting of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and recombinant deoxyribonuclease (DNase), is being investigated by Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital as an adjunctive treatment for peritonitis in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Administered intraperitoneally, the therapy targets the fibrin and extracellular DNA that contribute to the viscosity of inflammatory exudates and the structural integrity of biofilms in the peritoneal cavity. tPA acts as a fibrinolytic agent by converting plasminogen into plasmin, which subsequently degrades fibrin clots that can sequester bacteria or obstruct dialysis catheters. DNase enzymatically cleaves extracellular DNA, which is often released by neutrophils in the form of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) during an inflammatory response. By combining these two enzymes, the treatment aims to improve the clearance of infection and maintain catheter patency in PD-associated peritonitis.

Other names

tPA + DNaseintraperitoneal tPA and DNase