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METHOD FOR REDUCING SURFACTANT INACTIVATION IN PULMONARY SURFACTANT THERAPY Background: Human lung surfactant is a complex mixture of lipids and proteins that reduces surface tension in the lung, enabling normal breathing. Lack of effective surfactant results in Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS), a potentially fatal condition seen in premature infants and in adults with lung infection or trauma. While replacement lung surfactant (RLS) therapy has revolutionized neonatal RDS treatment, it is relatively ineffective in adults. Even with neonatal RDS, up to 30% of infants do not respond to RLS therapy. This failure in RLS therapy has been attributed, at least in part, to inactivation of the replacement lung surfactant in distressed lungs.Description: Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, have discovered that inactivation of surfactants by endogenous substances present in the lung can be significantly reduced by administration of either ionic or nonionic polymers. Ionic polymers are particularly effective, and have the advantage that lung epithelial cells produce them endogenously. The polymers may therefore be useful in the design of second-generation surfactants for use in RLS. Advantages: Addition of the polymers to surfactants may dramatically increase the effectiveness of replacement lung surfactant therapy. Applications: Surfactant with polymer may be useful in the treatment of:
Issued Patents: US Patent No. 6,180,142 Case No.: SF98-108
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