Safety Of A Second Dose Of Tenecteplase In Selected Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Not Responding To The First Dose

Background: Patients who are eligible for "IVT only" (IVT-O) represent the largest cohort of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients who are eligible for IVT, approximately three times larger than those who qualify for both IVT and endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). In all studies of IVT, at least 50% of patients remain disabled at 90 days, generating interest in finding treatments that might augment the beneficial effects of IVT, especially in the majority of AIS patients for whom EVT is not an option. The approved standard doses of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and TNK, while based on limited data, suggest that single doses above the approved 0.9 mg/kg of tPA and 0.25 mg/kg TNK will produce excessive bleeding. Another strategy might be to give a second dose of IVT. The relative short half-life of both tPA and TNK after completion of their infusion (5-25 minutes) mean that a second dose might be given while brain tissue is still in the penumbral state which may last for many hours following stroke onset depending on collateral flow. A recent study from France evaluated dual treatment in patients with documented medium vessel occlusion (MeVO) on magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) 1 hour after receiving a single dose of tPA (pts treated within 4.5 hrs of onset and no lesion on magnetic resonance imaging fluid inversion recovery (MRI FLAIR). At one hospital, 146 patients were identified, of whom 96 received TNK on average 116 minutes after tPA. These patients were compared by propensity matching to 148 patients receiving only tPA at another hospital. Dual dose patients showed higher rates of recanalization at 24 hrs (77% vs 61%), better outcome (mRS at 90 days), and no increased bleeding. These very encouraging results in patients limited to those with documented MeVO demonstrate the probable safety of dual IVT dosing and support its ability to increase recanalization in distal vessels thereby improving clinical outcome.

Another strategy would be to use clinical criteria (NIHSS) rather than relying on vascular imaging to identify patients qualifying for a second dose of IVT. The MOST study data demonstrate that 69% of patients with NIHSS > 6 who qualify for IVT and not EVT do not have clot identifiable on vascular imaging and therefore probably harbor more distal occlusions. Furthermore, obtaining a second vascular study 1 hour after the first dose of IVT is problematic at most clinical sites due to lack of availability for obtaining MRA and inability to use CTA due to excessive radiation and contrast. The NIHSS can also be used to identify and exclude those patients who respond to the first dose of IVT. Transcranial doppler studies have shown that early recanalization is associated with rapid clinical improvement on the NIHSS. If the first lytic dose were given within the approved 3 hours, a second dose could still be administered after most of the first dose is dissipated and still within the 4.5 hour time window in those patients who do not clinically improve after the first dose or who initially improve and then deteriorate.

Study Design: In this pilot safety study, the investigators will give a second dose of IV TNK to patients receiving the initial TNK dose within 3 hrs of LKN, have a baseline NIHSS > 6, and who do not clinically improve within 45 minutes of the first dose, or who improve but then deteriorate, and can still be treated within 4.5 hours from LKN. Patients will require a second CT scan to rule out any bleeding, and meet the usual inclusion and exclusion criteria for TNK treatment, before the second dose which must be given within 4.5 hrs of LKN. Both TNK doses will be 0.25 mg/kg. The initial TNK dose may be given on the MSU or ED, and the second dose in the ED. Informed consent will be obtained before the second dose is given.

The primary outcome will be symptomatic ICH (SITS-MOST criteria) or serious systemic bleeding within 36 hours. Secondary outcomes will be any intracranial hemorrhage, any bleeding, discharge NIHSS and mRS, and mRS at 90 days (sliding dichotomy).

20 patients will be enrolled. Enrollment will be stopped if more than 3 sICH occur (> 80% confidence that sICH rate is > 5%. If successful, this study will be followed by a larger phase 2b controlled safety confirmation and pilot efficacy study,

Inclusion criteria for both doses unless indicated otherwise:

• Age 18 and < 80
• Meet standard criteria for TNK
• NIHSS > 6 (for both first and second dose)
• Time from LKN < 3 hrs (first dose) and <4.5 hours (second dose)
• CT at baseline and prior to second dose shows no evidence of intracranial hemorrhage, and ASPECTS > 6.
• No large vessel occlusion (LVO) or EVT
• Pre-stroke mRS < 2

Interventional sequence:

• TNK within 3hr of LKN (all standard criteria met including baseline NIHSS)
• Baseline NIHSS > 6, obtain Informed Consent
• Repeat NIHSS 45 minutes post TNK bolus
• If repeat NIHSS still > 6, obtain repeat NCCT and review criteria for TNK
• If non contrast CT (NCCT) shows no blood and other criteria for TNK treatment met, give second dose of TNK within 4.5 hrs of LKN (patient enrolled).
• NCCT scan at 24 hrs + 12 or if neurological worsening any time after second dose of TNK
• Neuro checks q 15 min for the first 6 hrs after second dose, then q 60 min for the next 6 hrs
• NIHSS at 24 (+/- 3) hrs from LKN
• NIHSS and mRS at discharge
• mRS at 90 (+/- 14) days from LKN