Lucinactant for the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants.

Department of Pediatrics & Communicable Diseases, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, CS Mott Children's Hospital, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.

Expert review of clinical pharmacology 2013 Mar

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Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in premature infants. It is caused by surfactant deficiency and lung immaturity. Lucinactant is a synthetic surfactant containing sinapultide, a bioengineered peptide mimic of surfactant-associated protein B. A meta-analysis of clinical trials demonstrates that lucinactant is as effective as animal-derived surfactants in preventing RDS in premature neonates, and in vitro studies suggest it is more resistant to oxidative and protein-induced inactivation. Its synthetic origin confers lower infection and inflammation risks as well other potential benefits, which may make lucinactant an advantageous alternative to its animal-derived counterparts, which are presently the standard treatment for RDS.

Citation

Brian K Jordan, Steven M Donn. Lucinactant for the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants. Expert review of clinical pharmacology. 2013 Mar;6(2):115-21