Intra-arterial Recombinant Human Tenecteplase Tissue-type Plasminogen Activator (rhTNK-tPA) Thrombolysis for Acute Medium Vessel Occlusion

Summary

Medium vessel occlusion (MeVO) accounts for 20-45% of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Although patients with MeVO often present with relatively low NIHSS scores, up to one-third remain functionally dependent at follow-up despite receiving standard medical therapy, including intravenous thrombolysis. Recent randomized trials (DISTAL, ESCAPE-MeVO, DISCOUNT) have not demonstrated clinical benefit of endovascular treatment (EVT) for MeVO and have suggested higher risks of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and mortality, underscoring the need for safer and more targeted reperfusion strategies. Intra-arterial thrombolysis (IAT) enables localized, high-concentration thrombolytic delivery with minimal mechanical manipulation, which may be advantageous for medium and distal vessels. Recombinant human TNK tissue-type plasminogen activator (rhTNK-tPA), a genetically engineered third-generation thrombolytic agent, has shown favorable pharmacologic properties and clinical safety in AIS, including in intra-arterial use following EVT. However, prospective evidence supporting its direct therapeutic role in MeVO-related AIS remains lacking. This multicenter, prospective, open-label randomized controlled trial with blinded endpoint assessment is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intra-arterial rhTNK-tPA thrombolysis in improving functional outcome in MeVO within 24 hours of symptom onset.

Timeline

Start

2025-12-30

Primary completion

2028-12

Completion

2028-12

Publications

• Background Miao Z, Luo G, Song L, Sun D, Chen W, Yao X, Pan Y, Liu Y, Yuan G, Wen C, Wei M, Cai X, Yang Q, Zhou Z, Chang M, Nan G, Wang J, Xiang G, Zhou L, Gao W, Zhang H, Hao J, Xu C, Sun Y, Yi T, Feng G, Han H, Gao F, Ma N, Mo D, Sun X, Deng Y, Tong X, Li X, Jia B, Wang B, He Z, Yang M, Zhao X, Zhang X, Zhang L, Li S, Tong X, Jing J, Xiong Y, Liu T, Li Z, Ren Z, Wang Y, Liebeskind DS, Jovin TG, Nguyen TN, Wang Y, Liu L, Yan B, Huo X; ANGEL-TNK Investigators. Intra-arterial Tenecteplase for Acute Stroke After Successful Endovascular Therapy: The ANGEL-TNK Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2025 Aug 19;334(7):582-591. doi: 10.1001/jama.2025.10800.
• Background Goyal M, Ospel JM, Ganesh A, Dowlatshahi D, Volders D, Mohlenbruch MA, Jumaa MA, Nimjee SM, Booth TC, Buck BH, Kennedy J, Shankar JJ, Dorn F, Zhang L, Hametner C, Nardai S, Zafar A, Diprose W, Vatanpour S, Stebner A, Bosshart S, Singh N, Sebastian I, Uchida K, Ryckborst KJ, Fahed R, Hu SX, Vollherbst DF, Zaidi SF, Lee VH, Lynch J, Rempel JL, Teal R, Trivedi A, Bode FJ, Ogungbemi A, Pham M, Orosz P, Abdalkader M, Taschner C, Tarpley J, Poli S, Singh RJ, De Leacy R, Lopez G, Sahlas D, Chen M, Burns P, Schaafsma JD, Marigold R, Reich A, Amole A, Field TS, Swartz RH, Settecase F, Lenzser G, Ortega-Gutierrez S, Asdaghi N, Lobotesis K, Siddiqui AH, Berrouschot J, Mokin M, Ebersole K, Schneider H, Yoo AJ, Mandzia J, Klostranec J, Jadun C, Patankar T, Sauvageau E, Lenthall R, Peeling L, Huynh T, Budzik R, Lee SK, Makalanda L, Levitt MR, Perry RJ, Hlaing T, Jahromi BS, Singh P, Demchuk AM, Hill MD; ESCAPE-MeVO Investigators. Endovascular Treatment of Stroke Due to Medium-Vessel Occlusion. N Engl J Med. 2025 Apr 10;392(14):1385-1395. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2411668. Epub 2025 Feb 5.
• Background Psychogios M, Brehm A, Ribo M, Rizzo F, Strbian D, Raty S, Arenillas JF, Martinez-Galdamez M, Hajdu SD, Michel P, Gralla J, Piechowiak EI, Kaiser DPO, Puetz V, Van den Bergh F, De Raedt S, Bellante F, Dusart A, Hellstern V, Khanafer A, Parrilla G, Morales A, Kirschke JS, Wunderlich S, Fiehler J, Thomalla G, Lemmens R, Peluso JP, Bolognese M, von Hessling A, van Es A, Kruyt ND, Coutinho JM, Castano C, Minnerup J, van Zwam W, Dhondt E, Nolte CH, Machi P, Loehr C, Mattle HP, Buhk JH, Kaesmacher J, Dobrocky T, Papanagiotou P, Alonso A, Holtmannspoetter M, Zini A, Renieri L, Keil F, van den Wijngaard I, Kagi G, Terceno M, Wiesmann M, Amaro S, Rommers N, Balmer L, Fragata I, Katan M, Leker RR, Saver JL, Staals J, Fischer U; DISTAL Investigators. Endovascular Treatment for Stroke Due to Occlusion of Medium or Distal Vessels. N Engl J Med. 2025 Apr 10;392(14):1374-1384. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2408954. Epub 2025 Feb 5.

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