Tenecteplase, sold under the brand name Metalyse among others, is an enzyme used as a thrombolytic drug.[1]
Tenecteplase is a tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) produced by recombinant DNA technology using an established mammalian cell line (Chinese hamster ovary cells).[1] Tenecteplase is a 527 amino acid glycoprotein developed by introducing the following modifications to the complementary DNA for natural human tPA: a substitution of threonine 103 with asparagine, and a substitution of asparagine 117 with glutamine, both within the kringle 1 domain, and a tetra-alanine substitution at amino acids 296–299 in the protease domain.[1]
Tenecteplase was approved for medical use in the United States in June 2000.[1][3]
Medical uses
Tenecteplase is indicated to reduce the risk of death associated with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction and acute ischemic stroke.[1][4]
Pharmacokinetics
The initial volume of distribution approximates plasma volume.
Tenecteplase is primarily metabolised through the liver. [1]
Elimination is biphasic, with an initial half-life of 20-24 minutes and a terminal half-life of 90-130 minutes. Average plasma clearance ranges from 99-119 mL/minute. [5]
Gallery
Research
Researchers at Newcastle University in Australia say they have had a significant breakthrough in treating stroke patients using the commonly used drug.[6] The findings were published in the New England Medical Journal. Though safety has been established through previous clinical trials, there is ongoing debate about whether this is an effective treatment for ischemic stroke, and significant ongoing discussion between emergency physicians, neurologists and pharmacists about whether this treatment should be used for that indication.
The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association 2019 update to the 2018 guidelines for the Early Management of Acute Ischemic Stroke supports considering tenecteplase over alteplase in patients without contraindication to intravenous thrombolytics.[7]
Further reading
References
- Tnkase- tenecteplase kit DailyMed, 18 December 2024, retrieved 28 February 2025^
- Tnkase- tenecteplase kit DailyMed, 10 January 2024, retrieved 28 February 2025^
- Tenecteplase Product Approval Information U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 3 November 2008, retrieved 28 February 2025^
- FDA Roundup: March 4, 2025 U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 4 March 2025, retrieved 7 March 2025^
- Population Pharmacokinetics of Tenecteplase in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction and Application to Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, February 2023^
- A randomized trial of tenecteplase versus alteplase for acute ischemic stroke The New England Journal of Medicine, March 2012^
- Guidelines for the Early Management of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke: 2019 Update to the 2018 Guidelines for the Early Management of Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Guideline for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Stroke, December 2019^