Lubeluzole treatment of acute ischemic stroke. The US and Canadian Lubeluzole Ischemic Stroke Study Group.
OBJECTIVE
Lubeluzole is a novel benzothiazole compound that has shown neuroprotective activity in preclinical models of ischemic stroke. The present multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of lubeluzole in the treatment of ischemic stroke.


METHODS
Seven hundred twenty-one patients with clinical symptoms of acute ischemic stroke were randomized to receive either lubeluzole (7.5 mg over 1 hour, followed by a continuous daily infusion of 10 mg for up to 5 days) or placebo. Treatment was initiated within 6 hours of symptom onset. Mortality at 12 weeks was the primary efficacy end point. Secondary efficacy end points included neurological recovery (based on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS]), functional status (based on the Barthel Index), and level of disability (based on the Rankin Scale). Safety assessments included standard and continuous electrocardiographic monitoring, physical examination, measurements of vital signs, clinical laboratory evaluation, and adverse events reports.


RESULTS
The overall mortality rate at 12 weeks for lubeluzole-treated patients was 20.7% compared to 25.2% for placebo-treated patients (NS). Controlling for relevant covariates, the degree of neurological recovery (NIHSS) at week 12 significantly favored lubeluzole over placebo (P = .033). Lubeluzole treatment similarly resulted in significantly greater improvements in functional status (Barthel Index) (P = .038) and overall disability (Rankin Scale) (P = .034) after 12 weeks. A global test statistic confirmed that lubeluzole-treated patients had a more favorable clinical outcome at 12 weeks (P = .041). The safety profile of lubeluzole resembled that of placebo.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with lubeluzole within 6 hours of the onset of ischemic stroke had a nonsignificant effect on mortality and resulted in improved clinical outcome compared with placebo, with no safety concerns.
Grotta
J
J
Department of Neurology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston 77030, USA. jgrotta@neuro.med.uth.tmc.edu
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010880:Piperidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010880:Piperidines; D013844:Thiazoles; C097722:lubeluzole