The minocycline approach was researched/published in October 2009 so 4 years to maybe get it to a stroke protocol. Proving once again that the existing stroke associations are worthless.
http://www.sciencewa.net.au/topics/health-a-medicine/item/2324-perth-scientists-embark-on-stroke-therapy-approach.html
ROUTINE thrombolytic stroke therapy could be made safer
through a new treatment strategy utilising the antibiotic minocycline,
according to a stroke physician speaking at the Symposium of Western
Australian Neuroscience.
The talk by Associate Professor David Blacker from Sir Charles
Gardiner Hospital was part of the annual forum that aims to connect
scientists and clinicians to people with neurological conditions and the
wider community.
Currently, Prof Blacker along with neurologists from Royal Perth,
Fremantle and Swan District Hospitals is investigating the efficacy and
safety of combining two types of drug; minocycline and a clot-busting
drug called tPA, to reduce complications with stroke therapy.
Prof Blacker says about 80 to 85 per cent of all strokes is ischemic.
“Ischemic strokes occur when blood vessels supplying blood to the brain are blocked by blood clots,” he says.
Following an ischemic stroke, the expression of a group of enzymes
called matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is upregulated, which can
disrupt the blood brain barrier, leading to haemorrhagic transformation.
“The most effective therapy for treating ischemic stroke involves the
use of a clot-busting drug known as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA),
which chemically dissolve blood clots,” he says.
According to Prof Blacker, tPA administration can be complicated by
hemorrhagic transformation—the conversion of ischemic stroke into a
haemorrhagic one (with a mixture of clotting and bleeding).
“This occurs in six to seven per cent of patients treated with tPA and has a mortality rate of up to 50 per cent.”
One way in which tPA related intracerebral haemorrhage could be reduced is through the use of minocycline.
Prof Blacker says minocycline is an inexpensive drug and can be used in patients with ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke.
“It also works by inhibiting brain MMPs activated by ischemia.”
Animal studies combining minocycline with tPA in rodent models of
ischemic stroke have demonstrated significant reductions in MMPs and
shown almost a 50 per cent reduction in rates of haemorrhagic
transformation.
Funded by the Neurotrauma Research Program, the randomised pilot study, The West Australian Intravenous Minocycline and Thrombolysis Stroke Study
will administer intravenous minocycline in patients with ischemic
stroke treated with tPA, compared with no minocycline for patients
treated with tPA.
“We have recruited 20 patients so far. Once we get our total number
of patients up to 40 to 50, we may be able to conduct an interim
analysis to gain a better understanding of the efficacy of the
treatment.”
He says the study may be completed in early 2014.
The researchers hope to apply for more funding to conduct a phase-three trial.
Notes:
The Western Australian Symposium of Neuroscience was held at UWA on 23 July 2013.
It featured talks by eminent clinicians and neurologists as well as postgraduate student presentations.
I remember when children were born without arms and legs because doctors gave thalidomide to reduce morning sickness in pregnant women. I treated women who had strokes in their early twenties because the dose of early birth control pills was so high. I'm less impatient for drugs to move from animal studies to humans.
ReplyDeleteTrue, but this has been
DeleteFDA Approved: June 30, 1971 So it probably has had millions of applications already