Abstract
Given that alteplase has been the only approved thrombolytic agent for acute ischemic stroke for almost two decades, there has been intense interest in more potent and safer agents over the last few years. Tenecteplase is a bioengineered mutation of alteplase with advantageous pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. The superiority of tenecteplase over alteplase has been proven by in vitro and animal studies, and it was approved for use in myocardial infarction more than a decade ago. In patients with acute ischemic stroke, tenecteplase has shown promise in randomized phase II trials and the drug is currently being tested in four phase III clinical trials that will start delivering definite results in the near future: NOR-TEST (NCT01949948), TASTE (ACTRN12613000243718), TEMPO-2 (NCT02398656), and TALISMAN (NCT02180204).
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NL is the principal investigator of the NOR-TEST study. CEK is a member of the NOR-TEST executive working group. LT is the study chair of the NOR-TEST study. NOR-TEST is an investigator-driven academic trial with no connections to pharmaceutical companies. NOR-TEST is supported by a 3-year grant from the Norwegian Research Council (Project No. 229006).
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Logallo, N., Kvistad, C.E. & Thomassen, L. Therapeutic Potential of Tenecteplase in the Management of Acute Ischemic Stroke. CNS Drugs 29, 811–818 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40263-015-0280-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40263-015-0280-9