New stroke drug tenecteplase offers faster treatment

A new clot-busting drug for stroke called tenecteplase is as effective as an older drug, alteplase, and can be given more quickly. This was confirmed by a recent study published in JAMA Network Open. Tenecteplase, which received FDA approval earlier this month, is the first new treatment for strokes in nearly 30 years. Dr. Justin Rousseau from UT Southwestern Medical Center emphasized the importance of fast treatment for stroke patients. He stated, “The longer patients go without effective treatment, the more brain cells die.” Rousseau added that tenecteplase could help patients recover faster than alteplase. In the U.S., around 800,000 people have a stroke each year, mainly due to blood clots blocking the flow to the brain. Alteplase, approved in 1996, requires a complicated administration method that can delay treatment. In contrast, tenecteplase is given with a quick injection, simplifying the process. The study compared nearly 9,500 patients who received tenecteplase to over 70,000 who received alteplase between July 2020 and June 2022. The results showed that both groups experienced similar outcomes in terms of independence, discharge destination, and walking ability. The safety measures of both drugs were also comparable. However, tenecteplase's ease of use may allow for quicker access to other treatment options, like clot-removing surgery. Researchers noted it performed better in some cases, leading to improved chances of going home and lower in-hospital death rates. Overall, the study suggests that tenecteplase is a strong alternative to alteplase for treating acute ischemic stroke, with practical benefits in preparation and administration methods.