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Pharmaceutical industry

Hope for Stroke Victims in Tropical Snake Venom

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers have identified a potential breakthrough in treating stroke patients using the venom from a tropical snake. A recent study found that nearly 42% of elderly stroke patients who received the experimental drug ancrod, made from Malayan pit viper venom, were either completely or almost completely back to normal after treatment. Ancrod works by inhibiting blood clotting, which is responsible for nine out of ten strokes. The study, which involved over 500 participants, has shown promising results and may lead to a new treatment option for stroke patients.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study involved over 500 participants, with an average age of 73, and found that nearly 42% of those who received ancrod were either completely or almost completely back to normal.
  • The study's results were encouraging enough that the lead researcher, Dr. David Sherman, plans to submit ancrod to the FDA for approval.
  • Ancrod inhibits blood clotting by lowering the amount of fibrinogen in the blood, whereas the current FDA-approved treatment, t-PA, dissolves blood clots once they are formed.
  • The study found that 5% of those receiving ancrod suffered bleeding in the brain, compared to 2% of those receiving the placebo.
  • The risk of brain hemorrhage is 1.5% higher with t-PA, but the difference between those treated and those not treated was lower in the ancrod trial.
  • Scientists are optimistic that ancrod may be an option for those who are at higher risk with t-PA, due to its lower risk of bleeding in the brain.
  • The production of ancrod is slow, as it involves "milking" a colony of snakes for their venom.

Statistics:

  • 42% of stroke patients who received ancrod were either completely or almost completely back to normal.
  • 34% of those in the study who received a placebo regained the physical and mental abilities they had before the stroke.
  • 5% of those receiving ancrod suffered bleeding in the brain, compared to 2% of those receiving the placebo.
  • 1.5% higher risk of brain hemorrhage with t-PA.
  • Average age of those in the t-PA study was 67, younger than the average age of 73 in the ancrod study.
  • Over 500 participants were involved in the study.

Sources:

  • (UPI) The deadly venom from a tropical snake holds out hope for stroke victims
  • Dr. David Sherman, University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio
  • Dr. Steven Levine, professor of neurology and director of the Wayne State University, Detroit Medical Center Stroke Program

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