Tenecteplase
Tenecteplase is a recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and thrombolytic agent engineered for rapid intravenous administration to dissolve blood clots in acute thrombotic conditions.[1] It is a bioengineered variant of alteplase with enhanced fibrin specificity, resistance to plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and a prolonged half-life (initial phase 20–24 minutes; terminal phase 90–130 minutes), enabling single-bolus dosing over 5 seconds.[1] Developed using recombinant DNA technology in Chinese hamster ovary cells, tenecteplase catalyzes the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin, preferentially targeting fibrin-bound clots to restore blood flow while minimizing systemic fibrinogen depletion.[2] Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2000 for the treatment of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) to reduce mortality associated with acute myocardial infarction, tenecteplase is administered as a weight-based single intravenous bolus, with doses ranging from 30 mg for patients under 60 kg to a maximum of 50 mg for those 90 kg or greater.[2] In March 2025, the FDA expanded its approval to include acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in adults, recommending initiation within 3 hours of symptom onset using a lower weight-tiered dose capped at 25 mg to improve outcomes in eligible patients.[3] Off-label uses have included pulmonary embolism and central venous catheter occlusion, supported by its fibrinolytic efficacy and convenience over multi-infusion alternatives like alteplase.[4] The primary adverse effect of tenecteplase is bleeding, occurring in up to 4.7% of cases as major hemorrhage, with risks of intracranial hemorrhage (approximately 0.9% in STEMI trials and 3.4% in AIS studies) heightened by factors such as advanced age, concurrent anticoagulant use, or recent surgery.[2] Contraindications include active internal bleeding, recent stroke or intracranial trauma, uncontrolled hypertension, and known hypersensitivity to tPA agents.[1] Other notable risks encompass thromboembolism, arrhythmias, and rare anaphylactic reactions, necessitating careful patient selection and monitoring during and after administration.[4] Clinical trials, such as ASSENT-2 for STEMI and recent AcT and EXTEND-IA TNK for stroke, have demonstrated noninferiority or superiority to alteplase in efficacy, with advantages in ease of use and cost-effectiveness.[4]Clinical use
Indications
Tenecteplase is indicated for the reduction of mortality associated with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in adults.[1] This primary indication stems from its role as a fibrin-specific thrombolytic agent administered as a single intravenous bolus to restore coronary blood flow in patients presenting with STEMI symptoms, particularly when immediate percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is not available.[1] The approval was supported by the ASSENT-2 trial, a double-blind randomized study involving over 16,900 patients, which established non-inferiority to alteplase with 30-day all-cause mortality rates of 6.0% for tenecteplase versus 6.2% for alteplase.[5] In March 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved tenecteplase as a secondary indication for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in adults, to be initiated within 3 hours of symptom onset for improving functional outcomes.[6] This approval reflects evidence from multiple randomized trials demonstrating comparable efficacy to alteplase in achieving recanalization and better neurologic recovery in eligible patients, leveraging tenecteplase's rapid bolus administration for time-critical cerebrovascular emergencies.[7] Its pharmacokinetics enable quick onset, aligning with the narrow therapeutic window for stroke intervention.[1] Tenecteplase remains investigational for pulmonary embolism (PE), with ongoing research exploring its use in intermediate-risk cases to reduce hemodynamic decompensation, as evidenced by the PEITHO trial showing improved right ventricular function but increased bleeding risk compared to anticoagulation alone.[8]Administration and dosing
Tenecteplase is administered intravenously as a single bolus injection over 5 to 10 seconds, without the need for a subsequent infusion.[1][9] For the treatment of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), dosing is weight-based and capped at a maximum total dose of 50 mg, administered as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms. The recommended doses are as follows:| Patient Weight | Dose |
|---|---|
| Less than 60 kg | 30 mg |
| 60 kg to less than 70 kg | 35 mg |
| 70 kg to less than 80 kg | 40 mg |
| 80 kg to less than 90 kg | 45 mg |
| 90 kg or more | 50 mg |
| Patient Weight | Dose |
|---|---|
| Less than 60 kg | 15 mg |
| 60 kg to less than 70 kg | 17.5 mg |
| 70 kg to less than 80 kg | 20 mg |
| 80 kg to less than 90 kg | 22.5 mg |
| 90 kg or more | 25 mg |