Intra-arterial Recombinant Human Tenecteplase Tissue-type Plasminogen Activator (rhTNK-tPA) Thrombolysis for Acute Medium Vessel Occlusion

Intra-arterial Recombinant Human Tenecteplase Tissue-type Plasminogen Activator (rhTNK-tPA) Thrombolysis for Acute Medium Vessel Occlusion -- A Multicenter, Prospective, Randomized, Open-label, Blinded End-point Trial

Medium vessel occlusion (MeVO) accounts for 20-45% of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Although patients with MeVO often present with relatively low NIHSS scores, up to one-third remain functionally dependent at follow-up despite receiving standard medical therapy, including intravenous thrombolysis. Recent randomized trials (DISTAL, ESCAPE-MeVO, DISCOUNT) have not demonstrated clinical benefit of endovascular treatment (EVT) for MeVO and have suggested higher risks of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and mortality, underscoring the need for safer and more targeted reperfusion strategies.

Intra-arterial thrombolysis (IAT) enables localized, high-concentration thrombolytic delivery with minimal mechanical manipulation, which may be advantageous for medium and distal vessels. Recombinant human TNK tissue-type plasminogen activator (rhTNK-tPA), a genetically engineered third-generation thrombolytic agent, has shown favorable pharmacologic properties and clinical safety in AIS, including in intra-arterial use following EVT. However, prospective evidence supporting its direct therapeutic role in MeVO-related AIS remains lacking.

This multicenter, prospective, open-label randomized controlled trial with blinded endpoint assessment is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intra-arterial rhTNK-tPA thrombolysis in improving functional outcome in MeVO within 24 hours of symptom onset.

This study is an investigator-initiated, multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint (PROBE) clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intra-arterial rhTNK-tPA in improving 90-day functional outcomes in patients with MeVO stroke within 24 hours of symptom onset. The primary outcome is the proportion of patients achieving a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0-1 at 90 days. Eligible patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either intra-arterial rhTNK-tPA thrombolysis (0.125 mg/kg, Max 12.5mg) plus standard medical therapy or standard medical therapy alone. A total of 382 participants (191 per group) will be enrolled in this trial.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age ≥18 years

2. Pre-stroke mRS score 0-1

3. Baseline NIHSS ≥4 or symptoms deemed clearly disabling by treating physician (e.g., hemianopia, aphasia, or motor dysfunction)

4. Isolated medium distal vessel occlusion (i.e., an occlusion of the co-/non-dominant M2, the M3/M4 segment of the MCA, the A1/A2/A3 segment of the ACA or the P1/P2/P3 segment of the PCA) confirmed by CT angiography (CTA) or MR angiography (MRA)

5. Acute ischemic stroke within 24 hours of symptom onset, including wake-up stroke or unwitnessed stroke; The onset time of symptoms was defined as the last time of normal performance.

6. Acute ischemic stroke within 6-24 hours of onset, meeting at least one of the following imaging criteria:

   1. Evidence of a hypoperfusion-ischemic core mismatch on CT or MRI perfusion, defined as an ischemic core volume <50mL, hypoperfused tissue volume to ischemic core volume ratio ≥1.2, and mismatch volume ≥10 mL
   2. Evidence of a diffusion-hyperintensity mismatch, defined as absence of hyperintensity on fluidattenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) imaging within ≥ 90% of the area of the diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) lesion)

7. The participant or legally authorized representative is capable of providing informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Evidence of intracranial hemorrhage
2. Any active bleeding (gastrointestinal, urinary, hemorrhagic retinopathy, etc.) or parenchymal organ surgery or biopsy within 30 days before stroke; Severe head trauma or stroke within the past 3 months
3. Persistent and uncontrolled hypertension, defined as systolic blood pressure >185 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure >110 mmHg
4. Inherited or acquired hemorrhagic tendancy; deficiency of anticoagulant factors; or on oral anticoagulant with an INR> 1.7
5. Blood glucose <2.8 mmol/L (50 mg/dl) or > 22.2mmol/L (400 mg/dl), platelets count <100*109/L, or hemoglobin <70g/L
6. Severe hepatic insufficiency, chronic hemodialysis and severe renal insufficiency (or recent blood tests suggesting a glomerular filtration rate <30 ml/min or blood creatinine> 200 mmol/L (2.5 mg/dl)
7. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
8. Allergy to rhTNK-tPA or radiocontrast agent
9. Participation in other clinical trials
10. Expected survival time less than 6 months (e.g., due to malignancy, severe cardiopulmonary disease, etc.)
11. Other conditions deemed by the investigator to make the patient unsuitable for participation or pose significant risks (e.g., inability to understand and/or comply with study procedures and/or follow-up due to mental illness, cognitive or emotional disorders)