Table 1.
Overview of recent clinical trials for cytoprotective therapies—phase, status, and mechanism of action.
| Clinical Trial | Therapeutic Drug | Mechanism of Action | Status of Clinical Trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| VENUS (Phase III) | Nimodipine | Blocks voltage-gated channels (calcium) | Terminated: not effective |
| MAVARIC (Phase I) | Verapamil (with magnesium sulfate) | Blocks of voltage-gated channels (calcium), after reperfusion | Results not published yet |
| ESCAPE-NA1 (Phase III) | Nerinetide (Na-1) | Inhibits neuronal excitotoxicity | Approved by American FDA alone; but it does not display protection together with IVT |
| ESCAPE-NEXT (Phase III) | Nerinetide (Na-1) together with EVT therapy | Inhibits neuronal excitotoxicity | Ongoing (completes in August 2023) |
| URICO-ICTUS (Phase III) | Uric Acid (UA) | Antioxidant agent (reduces inflammation) | Small study sample, but a confirmatory trial is planned |
| BAST (Phase III) | 3-N-butylphtalide (NBP) | Free radical scavenger (reduces inflammation) | Ongoing (completed on 31 December 2022), good outcome so far |
| Evaluation of HUK in AIS (Phase IV) | Human Urinary Kallidinogenase (HUK) | Anti-inflammatory agents suppress TLR4/NF-kB pathway | Approved by China’s FDA, with post-approval surveillance ongoing |
| A study of allogeneic mesenchymal bone marrow cells in AIS (Phase I/II) | Allogeneic adult mesenchymal bone marrow cells | Cell-based therapy | Completed, presented beneficial behavioral outcomes for patients |
| J-REPAIR (Phase I/II) | JTR-161 (allogeneic stem cell product) | Cell-based therapy | Last updated on June 2022, results not published yet |
| Efficacy and safety of FTY720 for AIS (phase II) | Fingolimod (FTY720) | Immune modulator | Completed; reduced injury and improved clinical outcomes |
| Combination of the immune modulator Dimethyl Fumarate with alteplase in AIS (phase I/II) | Dimethyl Fumarate | Immune modulator | Ongoing (completes in December 2022) |