A Trial of Edaravone Dexborneol in Acute Ischemic Stroke With Active Malignancy

A Prospective, Multicentre, Randomized Controlled Trial of Edaravone Dexborneol in Acute Ischemic Stroke With Active Malignancy

This multicenter randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of edaravone dexborneol injection in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) complicated by active malignancies. The study will primarily investigate whether this combined antioxidant and anti-inflammatory treatment can improve neurological functional recovery and assess its safety profile in this high-risk population. Investigators will compare outcomes between the edaravone dexborneol treatment group and a control group receiving standard therapy to determine if the intervention provides superior neuroprotective effects. Participants will receive the assigned treatment regimen, undergo serial neurological assessments and imaging studies to monitor stroke progression and recovery, and be closely followed for safety evaluations. The findings may offer evidence-based therapeutic options for managing this challenging clinical scenario where current treatment alternatives are limited.

Patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) who also have active malignancies face a more complex clinical scenario, with limited treatment options and generally poor prognoses. The coexistence of these two conditions can interact through inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways, forming a vicious cycle that exacerbates the patient's condition. Edaravone dexborneol injection exhibits significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, effectively scavenging free radicals in the body, thereby potentially improving the outcomes of AIS patients. Preliminary retrospective study demonstrated that edaravone dexborneol injection can promote neurological recovery in AIS patients with active malignancies and shows a favorable safety profile. Therefore, this study aims to conduct a multicenter randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of edaravone dexborneol injection in treating AIS patients with active malignancies, with the goal of providing evidence-based medical support and more effective therapeutic strategies for this specific patient population.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age between 18 and 80 years (inclusive);
• Diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) according to the 2023 Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke;
• Time from symptom onset to enrollment ≤48 hours;
• Presence of focal neurological deficits with a baseline NIHSS score of 4-24, and a combined score of ≥2 points on NIHSS Item 5 (upper limb motor) and Item 6 (lower limb motor);
• Confirmed active malignancy before stroke onset or during hospitalization, defined as: Cancer diagnosed within 12 months prior to stroke, Presence of metastatic disease, Received cancer-directed therapy within the past 30 days, or Patients who declined cancer treatment (still considered active malignancy);
• Signed informed consent obtained from the patient or legally authorized representative.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Intracranial hemorrhagic diseases detected on head CT: hemorrhagic stroke, epidural hematoma, intracranial hematoma, intraventricular hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, etc;
• Pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score >1;
• Transient ischemic attack (TIA) as the current event;
• Non-invasive skin cancers (e.g., basal cell carcinoma), primary central nervous system tumors, or hematologic malignancies;
• Use of neuroprotective agents, including but not limited to: marketed edaravone, nimodipine, gangliosides, citicoline, piracetam, butylphthalide, human urinary kallidinogenase, or certain Chinese herbal medicines (see Concomitant Medications for details);
• Patients with severe psychiatric disorders or dementia;
• Hepatic or renal dysfunction: ALT or AST >3× upper limit of normal (ULN); Known liver diseases (e.g., acute/chronic active hepatitis, cirrhosis); Known kidney disease, renal insufficiency, serum creatinine >1.5×ULN, or creatinine clearance <50 mL/min;
• Severe systemic diseases with an expected survival <90 days;
• Pre-stroke Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≥3;
• Hypersensitivity to edaravone, (+)-borneol, or any excipients;
• Pregnancy, lactation, or planned pregnancy;
• Participation in another clinical trial within 30 days prior to randomization or current enrollment in other interventional studies;
• Any other condition deemed inappropriate for participation by the investigator.