Stroke Treatment Drug Lowers Brain Damage Levels

A team of US researchers has produced a stroke treatment drug that's already been successfully tested on rodents.

Now, it's set to be put through human-based trials in coming months, to ascertain its efficacy and safety.

In the US, ahead of strokes, only three other causes are responsible for more adult deaths, while no other condition causes as much paralysis. Data published by the American Stroke Association highlights how tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) is currently the best treatment drug available but, in order to work fully, it needs to be given no more than three hours after the beginning of a stroke. Besides, it has been linked to an array of side effects, including brain bleeds.

New Stroke Treatment Drug

Another option might soon be available, however - ZZ Biotech's new stroke treatment drug, presently called 3K3A-APC.

This drug's trials were recently conducted by ZZ Biotech, working in collaboration with The Scripps Research Institute, Henry Ford Health Science Center, the University of Arizona College of Medicine and the University of Rochester Medical Center. They saw the test rodents given isolated doses of tPA, isolated 3K3A-APC doses and tPA/3K3A-APC combos, to assess the most effective approach.

Examined especially closely were levels of brain damage, brain bleeding and motor ability for up to one week after the last doses were supplied.

Lowered Brain Damage Levels

The researchers ultimately found that tPA on its own caused the rats' and mices' brains to bleed, did not have a reduction effect on brain damage and did not boost motor ability. However, when supplied together, the tPA and 3K3A-APC drugs lowered brain damage levels by over 50 per cent, completely stopped the brain bleeds and compellingly, caused a surge in motor ability, too.

"We are encouraged by these results", ZZ Biotech's President and CEO, Joe Romano, explained in a press release. "In terms of improving treatment for stroke and other neurological diseases, this could be really exciting."

The firm's chief operating officer, Kent Pryor, added: "[head researcher] Dr. Zlokovic's study really demonstrates the promise of the drug and we are eager to show the same results in human clinical trials."

Image copyright Hellerhoff - Courtesy Wikimedia Commons