Stroke is the leading cause of death in women, the third leading cause of death in men, and the leading cause of acquired disability in adults. Every year in France, it affects around 130,000 people.
A study published this Tuesday, January 23, in the journal The Lancet Neurology provides promising results on an effective treatment, glenzocimab, intended to be administered in the event of a stroke.
Developed by the French company Acticor Biotech, this drug could reduce the risk of mortality.
No increased risk of bleeding
The most common form, ischemic stroke, results from the formation of a clot in the arteries of the brain. Today, the main treatment “consists of dissolving the clot blocking the cerebral artery by infusing a medication intravenously” and reduces the consequences of the accident if applied quickly, explains the health insurance.
However, “this treatment may be responsible for bleeding (in the brain, stomach, etc.).”
“The particularity of this drug (glenzocimab, editor’s note) is that it prevents the formation of clots but does not increase the risk of bleeding,” Professor Mikaël Mazighi, head of the department of neurology at Lariboisière, explains to France Inter. hospital, in Paris.
Mortality reduced by half
This new study, carried out in six European countries with more than 160 patients, shows a clear reduction in mortality. The mortality rate of patients who received glenzocimab was reduced by half compared to the placebo group – which only received the reference treatment -, going from 19% to 8%.
“Its effect on the number of deaths even exceeded expectations,” adds Mikaël Mazighi, in statements reported by Le Figaro.
This reduction in the number of deaths is related to the considerable reduction in the rate of intracranial hemorrhages, which was reduced to 1.8% in treated patients, compared to 7.8% in the placebo group.
These encouraging results remain preliminary, but larger trials are coming. “As every minute counts, the craziest goal would be to be able to use it from the ambulance. But everything in its time. At the moment we still have to go through the development stages,” concludes Mikaël Mazighi.
Source: BFM TV
