Clot-busting drug to treat stroke destroys fatal blockages

A NEW drug that hijacks the body’s own blood to destroy clots could be given to stroke and heart attack patients ­before they reach hospital.

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A NEW drug that hijacks the body’s own blood to destroy clots could be given to stroke and heart attack patients ­before they reach hospital to reduce death and disability.

In preclinical trials, the clot-busting drug, designed by Monash University, is proving to be an effective treatment with no side-effects.

Strokes are one of the leading causes of death and permanent disability in Australia.

Monash’s Australian Centre for Blood Diseases senior research fellow, Dr Christoph Hagemeyer, said there was an urgent need for better thrombolytic drugs with fewer side-effects.

Dr Christoph Hagemeyer is developing a new stroke drug with his team at Monash University. Picture: Supplied

Stroke victims need their brain blockages to be cleared quickly to restore blood flow and preserve function.

Anti-clotting drugs available now must be given within a 4½-hour window in a hospital and a CAT scan is required to ensure the stroke was caused by a block, not a haemorrhage.

If the use of scanners in ambulances becomes commonplace — an innovation being trialled in Australia — paramedics could rule out a haemorrhage and immediately administer the drug.

Dr Hagemeyer said side-­effects — such as excessive bleeding — could still prevent this from occurring.

“Current drugs do not target the clot directly, they circulate in the body and start to degrade crucial components of the blood that are needed for normal clotting and healing of injuries, leading to excessive bleeding,” he said.

Fellow author Dr Thomas Bonnard said the drug hijacked the body’s clotting system to help clear the blockage.

It has an antibody to help it target clots and is activated by thrombin — an enzyme key in the natural clotting process.

This ability to target, activate and destroy clots means less of the drug is required and it’s only activated to work on clots, reducing the risk of bleeding.

Results from animal trials, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, showed it was as effective as standard treatment and had a better safety profile.

Heart Foundation Victoria clinical strategic adviser Harry Patsamanis said the potential to lower the bleeding risk could make it suitable for people unable to receive anti-clotting drugs.

Further preclinical trials are required before a pharmaceutical partner will be sought to bring it to human trials.

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