duteplase

Duteplase is a two-chain recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) that was developed by Burroughs Wellcome as a thrombolytic agent. It is chemically distinguished from alteplase, which is a predominantly single-chain form of rt-PA. Duteplase works by catalyzing the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin, an enzyme that dissolves fibrin clots, thereby restoring blood flow in occluded vessels. It was extensively evaluated in the early 1990s for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and acute ischemic stroke. Most notably, it was one of the thrombolytic agents compared in the large-scale ISIS-3 trial. Despite showing efficacy in achieving coronary artery patency and improving neurological outcomes, duteplase was associated with a risk of intracranial hemorrhage, and its development was eventually discontinued as other thrombolytics like alteplase and tenecteplase became the clinical standards.

Other names

two-chain rt-PAdouble-chain rt-PAdouble-chain recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator