Abstract Body: Desmoteplase is a novel, highly fibrin-specific and non-neurotoxic plasminogen activator. Evidence of safety and efficacy was obtained in the Dose Escalation of Desmoteplase for Acute Ischemic Stroke (DEDAS, n=37) and Desmoteplase In Acute Ischemic Stroke (DIAS, n=104) phase II trials. The DIAS-2 phase III trial (n=186) supported the safety profile of desmoteplase but did not replicate the positive efficacy findings of DEDAS and DIAS, most probably due to a high placebo response rate (46% placebo vs 47% and 36% for desmoteplase 90 and 125 μg/kg, respectively). Despite patient selection based on mismatch, a substantial number of patients (72%) without vascular obstruction in the proximal cerebral arteries (TIMI score 2-3) were included in DIAS-2. Post-hoc analyses of patients with TIMI score 0-1 revealed lower response rates in the placebo group (18%) and higher response rates in the desmoteplase groups (36% and 27% for desmoteplase 90 μg/kg and 125 μg/kg, respectively). DIAS-3 and DIAS-4 are randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled, multinational phase III twin trials, aiming to enrol 800 patients with acute stroke. The trials were carefully designed in close collaboration with the DIAS-3 and DIAS-4 study group. The objective of DIAS-3 and DIAS-4 is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a single IV bolus of 90 μg/kg desmoteplase given 3-9 h after onset of ischemic stroke (NIHSS score 4-24, age 18-85 y). In contrast to the previous desmoteplase trials, patients will not be selected by perfusion-core lesion mismatch, but by proximal cerebral vessel occlusion/high-grade stenosis without signs of extensive infarction (assessed by MRI/MRA or CT/CTA). Patients will be followed for 90 d and have an imaging follow-up 12-24 h post-dose for safety and optional recanalization. The primary efficacy outcome is the modified Ranking Scale (mRS) score at 90 d. Other outcomes include NIHSS score at day 90, recanalization in patients with follow-up angiography, clinical outcome in patients with core-lesion <25 mL, and clinical outcome in patients with perfusion/diffusion mismatch. Dichotomised mRS response (scores 0-2 vs. 3-6) will be analysed using a logistic regression model with treatment as factor, baseline NIHSS score, age, time from stroke onset to treatment, and centre/country/geographical region as covariates for the all subjects treated set. Safety outcomes comprise mortality, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), symptomatic ischemic edema, and other major hemorrhagic events. An independent Data Monitoring Committee monitors the safety of the patients based on unblinded data using prospectively defined stopping rules. DIAS-3 started in February 2009 and DIAS-4 in April 2009 at more than 200 sites world-wide. Trial completion is expected mid-2011. Author Disclosure Block: G.W. Albers, H. Lundbeck A/S, Modest, E. Honoraria; Boerhinger Ingelheim, Modest, E. Honoraria; R. von Kummer, H. Lundbeck A/S, Modest, E. Honoraria.
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