Donate Help Contact The AHA Sign In Home
American Heart Association
Stroke
Search: search_blue_button Advanced Search
Stroke. 2003;34:2543-2548
Published online before print October 16, 2003, doi: 10.1161/01.STR.0000092527.33910.89
This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
34/11/2543    most recent
01.STR.0000092527.33910.89v1
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Krams, M.
Right arrow Articles by Ford, G. A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Krams, M.
Right arrow Articles by Ford, G. A.
Right arrowPubmed/NCBI databases
*Substance via MeSH
Medline Plus Health Information
*Stroke
Related Collections
Right arrow Acute Cerebral Infarction
Right arrow Emergency treatment of Stroke
Right arrow Neuroprotectors

(Stroke. 2003;34:2543.)
© 2003 American Heart Association, Inc.


Original Contributions

Acute Stroke Therapy by Inhibition of Neutrophils (ASTIN)

An Adaptive Dose-Response Study of UK-279,276 in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Michael Krams, MD; Kennedy R. Lees, MD; Werner Hacke, MD; Andrew P. Grieve, PhD; Jean-Marc Orgogozo, MD Gary A. Ford, MD for the ASTIN Study Investigators

From Pfizer Global Research and Development, Sandwich, UK (M.K., A.P.G.); University Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Gardiner Institute, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, UK (K.R.L.); Department of Neurology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany (W.H.); CHU Pellegrin, Bordeaux, France (J-M.O.); and Wolfson Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK (G.A.F.).

Correspondence to Dr Michael Krams, CNS Experimental Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Pfizer MS-8260/2604, Eastern Point Rd, Groton, CT 06340. E-mail Michael_krams{at}groton.pfizer.com


*    Abstract
up arrowTop
*Abstract
down arrowIntroduction
down arrowSubjects and Methods
down arrowResults
down arrowDiscussion
down arrowAppendix
down arrowReferences
 
Background and Purpose— UK-279,276 (neutrophil inhibitory factor) reduced infarct volume in a rat middle cerebral artery occlusion reperfusion model. ASTIN (Acute Stroke Therapy by Inhibition of Neutrophils) was an adaptive phase 2 dose-response–finding, proof-of-concept study to establish whether UK-279,276 improves recovery in acute ischemic stroke. The prime objective was to determine the dose that gave a clinically relevant effect in patients.

Methods— A Bayesian sequential design with real-time efficacy data capture and continuous reassessment of the dose response allowed double-blind, randomized, adaptive allocation to 1 of 15 doses (dose range, 10 to 120 mg) or placebo and early termination for efficacy or futility. The primary end point was change from baseline to day 90 on the Scandinavian Stroke Scale ({Delta}SSS), adjusted for baseline SSS, aiming for a 3-point additional mean recovery above placebo.

Results— Nine hundred sixty-six acute stroke patients (887 ischemic, 204 cotreated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator; mean baseline SSS score, 28; range, 10 to 40) were treated within 6 hours of symptom onset. Mean {Delta}SSS was approximately +17 points of improvement on SSS for the overall evaluable population. There was no treatment effect for UK-279,276 (posterior probability of futility, 0.89). The trial was stopped early for futility. Post hoc analysis indicated a mean 1.6-point additional improvement on {Delta}SSS in the tissue plasminogen activator–treated subset (credible interval=0.5, 2.6). UK-279,276 was generally well tolerated, with no increased incidence of infections.

Conclusions— UK-279,276 did not improve recovery in acute ischemic stroke patients but was devoid of serious side effects. The adaptive design facilitated early termination for futility.


Key Words: dose-response relationship, drug • neuroprotection • neutrophils • research design


*    Introduction
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
*Introduction
down arrowSubjects and Methods
down arrowResults
down arrowDiscussion
down arrowAppendix
down arrowReferences
 
In experimental stroke models, inflammation contributes to cerebral ischemic injury.1 This begs the question of whether modulating inflammatory response may improve functional recovery in stroke patients.2 A number of molecules altering leukocyte infiltration into the ischemic region reduce infarct size in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat stroke models.3 Two inhibitors of leukocyte adhesion to the endothelial wall, R6.5 (Enlimomab) and Hu23F2G (LeukArrest), have previously been studied in stroke patients. Safety concerns led to discontinuation of the clinical development programs in both cases.4,5

UK-279,276 (neutrophil inhibitory factor), a recombinant glycoprotein with selective binding to the CD11b integrin of MAC-1 (CD11b/CD18), reduced neutrophil infiltration and infarct volume in transient (2-hour) rat MCAO models when administered within 4 hours after onset of ischemia.6 In a thromboembolic rat stroke model, UK-279,276 reduced infarct size only in combination with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) while prolonging the efficacy time window for tPA from 2 to 4 hours.7 In a phase 2a safety study, UK-279,276, when administered to acute stroke patients, was well tolerated over a wide dose range.8 In particular, there was no increased incidence of infections, which is a theoretical concern of neutrophil inhibition. UK-279,276 showed a nonlinear pharmacokinetic profile. The duration of >90% CD11b/CD18 saturation was dose dependent and varied from 1 to 15 days. We hypothesized that acute ischemic stroke patients treated with UK-279,276 would show improved neurological recovery through inhibition of neutrophil migration. The prime objective of ASTIN (Acute Stroke Therapy by Inhibition of Neutrophils) was to explore the dose response of UK-279,276 in acute ischemic stroke patients and to determine the correct dose to be taken in future confirmatory efficacy studies. A Bayesian design with sequential adaptive treatment allocation and an early termination rule was used, allowing termination of the trial at the earliest time point at which either futility or efficacy was established.9


*    Subjects and Methods
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
*Subjects and Methods
down arrowResults
down arrowDiscussion
down arrowAppendix
down arrowReferences
 
Study Design
This was a multicenter, double-blind, dose-response study with randomized adaptive allocation to 1 of 15 doses of UK-279,276 (dose range, 10 to 120 mg) or placebo. An automated fax system provided real-time data input/output, receiving Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS) scores for each patient at baseline and follow-up visits (days 7, 21, 90) and faxing back dosing instructions within minutes after receiving baseline information.9 Treatment allocation occurred centrally, with a computer algorithm determining the optimal dose for minimizing the expected variance of the response at the ED95 (minimal dose achieving near maximal efficacy). In a sequential setup, patients were randomized either to placebo (at least 15% of patients over the course of the trial) or the optimal dose, given the latest information about the dose response. A termination rule based on bounds of posterior probability was used to recommend cessation of recruitment after either futility or efficacy was established. The protocol required data from a minimum of 500 evaluable patients before a recommendation of termination for futility could be endorsed by the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) or from a minimum of 250 evaluable patients before a recommendation of termination for efficacy could be endorsed. The maximum sample size was set at 1300 patients. Simulations characterized the behavior of this design for different dose-response curves and conditions. Simulating flat dose responses, the median sample size before cessation was 661, with a <5% false-positive rate. For sigmoid dose-response curves with 3-point additional benefit on SSS, 85% of simulations correctly stopped for efficacy (median sample size, 595); with 4 points the power was 97% (median sample size, 320). The study received approval from independent ethics committees and was conducted in accordance with guidelines for good clinical practice and the Declaration of Helsinki.

Patients
Patients had to be previously independent, aged >50 years, and present within 6 hours after onset of symptoms of an acute stroke with baseline SSS score of 10 to 40. Concomitant tPA treatment was allowed if administered in accordance with local regulatory and ethics committee regulations. Exclusion criteria were as follows: impaired consciousness, premenopausal status in women, fixed-eye deviation with hemiplegia, seizure since onset of stroke, temperature on admission >38°C, concurrent infection, and any condition or treatment at baseline confounding efficacy or safety assessments. Patients previously treated with UK-279,276 were excluded. The evaluable population was defined as the set of patients with ischemic stroke (CT verified) who were alive at day 90.

Study Treatment
To obtain equidistant increments of duration over which >90% saturation of CD11b was achieved and an absolute range from 0 to 11 days, the following doses of UK-279,276 were used: 10, 16, 22, 27, 33, 38, 45, 52, 59, 67, 76, 84, 96, 108, and 120 mg. Twenty-milliliter vials contained 0, 1, or 3 mg/mL of UK-279,276. Active drug and placebo were identical in appearance. Two vials were allocated to each patient. A dose instruction fax specified volumes between 10 and 20 mL to be transferred from each vial into a 50-mL syringe. The syringe was topped up with 0.9% saline to 50 mL. Through this procedure, investigators and pharmacy were blinded to the dose they prepared. Study drug was administered as a single intravenous infusion over 15 minutes. All centers administered standard care in accordance with European Stroke Initiative guidelines.10

Trial Committees
Independent Data Monitoring Committee
Three stroke clinicians and a statistician received efficacy and safety data, including weekly updates of the probability of the trial warranting termination for futility or efficacy. The IDMC could remove doses with an unacceptable safety profile and could stop the study with endorsement by the Steering Committee if there was evidence of substantial harm, efficacy, or futility.

Steering Committee
An executive steering committee monitored the conduct of the study and reviewed center performance, in particular door-to-needle time for ASTIN study drug (recommended goal, <90 minutes).

Outcome Measures
The primary efficacy end point was change from baseline to day 90 ({Delta}) on SSS, adjusted for baseline SSS score in surviving patients. Patients who died before 90 days were excluded from the primary analysis because of difficulty in deciding on an imputed meaningful day 90 SSS score in this group. Secondary efficacy end points included change on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and day 90 Barthel Index and modified Rankin Scale in all patients. Videotapes and training sessions on outcome measures (SSS, modified Rankin Scale) before and during the trial were intended to reduce interrater variability. Center selection criteria included extensive prior experience in acute stroke trials and NIHSS certification.

Safety parameters included routine hematology and clinical chemistry examinations and measurement of C-reactive protein, immunoglobulins, and complements C3 and C4. Serum antibody responses to UK-279,276 were collected on day 90.

Statistical Analysis
Primary Efficacy End Point
During the trial a computer algorithm continuously reassessed the dose-response curve. A normal dynamic linear model (NDLM)11 was applied to all {Delta}SSS data of evaluable patients to estimate the dose-response relationship. Patients who died were not included in this model. The NDLM fitted a normal linear regression at each dose, allowing only small changes in the regression parameters between neighboring doses, thereby ensuring smoothness. During the course of the study the computer algorithm corrected only for baseline SSS. In the final analyses the following prespecified covariates were added: age, tPA therapy, and onset-to-treatment time. Copenhagen Stroke Study data12 suggested that placebo subjects on average improve by 10 points on the SSS, with SD of 12. The study was sized to detect an additional mean treatment effect of 3 points on {Delta}SSS. Analyses using the NDLM were to present posterior estimates and 95% posterior credible intervals (CrI) of the dose-response curve, the minimal dose that yields near maximal efficacy (ED95), and the effect over placebo at the ED95.

Longitudinal Model
To allow the dose allocation system to be updated before a patient’s day 90 scores became available, a longitudinal model was used, built from the Copenhagen Stroke Study database, to estimate preliminary day 90 scores for eligible patients.12 Once available, true scores would be substituted for the estimates. After sufficient trial data were available, the longitudinal model was continuously updated through SSS data collected from within the study.

Termination Rule
A sequential stopping rule operated such that each time the posterior estimate of the dose-response curve was calculated, the estimate of the effect over placebo at the ED95 was also evaluated. A lower 80% CrI boundary (1 sided) of >2 points on {Delta}SSS or an upper boundary (1 sided) of <1 point on {Delta}SSS would indicate that the study should be stopped for efficacy or futility, respectively. During the course of the study, primary end point data were captured in real time. The dose-response relationship and termination rule were continuously reassessed with the use of specifically written C+ software run by Tessella plc.9

After an early termination, all outstanding follow-ups were to be collected and used in the final analysis to produce a dose-effect curve on {Delta}SSS data and to assess the probability for showing the predefined efficacy threshold of futility or efficacy.

Secondary Efficacy Analyses
The NDLM was also applied to NIHSS data. The modeling approach using the NDLM on stroke scale data was complemented by traditional analyses comparing pooled dose groups (10 to 33, 38 to 67, and 76 to 120 mg) against placebo. Modified Rankin Scale and Barthel Index data, split into the categories dead or poor outcome (<=55), moderate outcome (60 to 90), and good outcome (>=95) at day 90, were analyzed with the use of ordinal logistic regression techniques, with baseline SSS as a covariate.

Mortality
Logistic regression analyses and a Cox proportional hazards model were used to estimate the overall dose effect on mortality by fitting dose as continuous and categorical effects.


*    Results
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowSubjects and Methods
*Results
down arrowDiscussion
down arrowAppendix
down arrowReferences
 
Nine hundred sixty-six patients were randomized and treated between November 2000 and November 2001, of whom 887 had an ischemic stroke (92%), and 204 were cotreated with tPA (21%). Figure 1 outlines the trial profile. There were 746 evaluable patients. Figure 2 summarizes patient allocation to treatment arms.



View larger version (34K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 1. Enrollment diagram. ITT indicates intention to treat.



View larger version (44K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 2. A, Number of patients allocated to each treatment arm. B, Patient allocation to different doses, over time; each subject is represented by 1 circle, with time since start of trial in weeks shown on x axis and treatment arms ordered shown on y axis.

Demographics and baseline characteristics, including risk factors, were similar between groups: mean age was 72 years (range, 36 to 96 years), 43% were female, and 97% were white. Mean stroke severity at baseline was 28 points on the SSS (range, 10 to 40) or 13 points on the NIHSS (range, 4 to 29). Median onset-to-treatment time was 248 minutes (interquartile range, 96 minutes); median door-to-needle time was 140 minutes (interquartile range, 88 minutes).

Clinical Outcome
Mean improvement of the overall evaluable population (placebo and treated) was 17 points on SSS (-7 on NIHSS) from baseline to day 90. UK-279,276 did not produce any statistically significant effect on any of the efficacy variables at any dose or dose category for any of the analyzed populations. The dose-effect curve in Figure 3A ({Delta}SSS effect over placebo, 95% CrI), as calculated from the evaluable population, is consistent with a flat dose response, as is the point estimate for the ED95 (54 mg; 95% CrI, -2 to +142 mg). The posterior probability of futility was 0.89. Significant covariates of interest were as follows (estimated effect on {Delta}SSS and 95% CrI in evaluable population): baseline stroke severity (-0.3; 95% CrI, -0.4, -0.2 for each point of increase in baseline SSS), use of tPA (+1.6; 95% CrI, 0.5, 2.6), and age (-0.1; 95% CrI, -0.2, 0 for each year increase in age).



View larger version (28K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 3. A, Dose-effect curve of evaluable population on {Delta}SSS effect over placebo, with 95% CrI. Horizontal lines at 0 indicate the line of no change, at 1 the futility threshold (F), and at 2 the efficacy threshold (E). B, Dose-effect curve of non–tPA-treated subset of evaluable population on {Delta}SSS effect over placebo, with 95% CrI. C, Dose-effect curve of tPA-treated subset of evaluable population on {Delta}SSS effect over placebo, with 95% CrI.

The study was not designed or powered to establish whether there was an interaction between UK-279,276 and tPA. In a post hoc analysis, the dose responses of UK-279,276 for tPA-treated and non–tPA-treated patients were not significantly different (Figure 3B and 3C). When we corrected for the aberrant response of a single patient in the placebo group, the apparent tPA interaction disappeared almost completely.

Figure 4 shows the course of the continuously updated probability of futility or demonstration of an efficacy signal of >2 points on {Delta}SSS over time. The algorithm allowed a conclusion of futility at week 40. As soon as data from 500 evaluable patients were available, the IDMC, in accordance with the protocol, recommended discontinuation of recruitment. The steering committee endorsed and the sponsor acted on this recommendation with minimal delay.



View larger version (30K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 4. Posterior probability in eligible patients of treatment being ineffective at ED95 (A) and treatment showing an effect of >2 points at ED95 (B). These probabilities were reported to the IDMC on a weekly basis.

Application of the NDLM to the NIHSS mirrored the aforementioned SSS results: UK-279,276 did not produce any statistically significant effect in any of the NIHSS analyses conducted.

The effect of dose of UK-279,276 was not statistically significant in the ordinal logistic regression analyses on the modified Rankin Scale or the Barthel Index.

Tolerability and Safety
All treatment arms had similar mortality rates: placebo, 15%; 10 to 33 mg, 17%; 38 to 67 mg, 15%; and 76 to 120 mg, 18%. Dose of UK-279,276 was not statistically significant in the logistic regression analyses on mortality. The most common causes of death were pneumonia, cerebral hemorrhage, cardiac failure, and cerebral edema. Sepsis was reported in 1% of patients treated with UK-279,276 and in 1.6% of patients treated with placebo; pneumonia was reported in 12% and 11%, respectively; and urinary tract infections were reported in 17% of patients in both groups.

UK-279,276 was well tolerated at all dose levels. The pattern of deaths, serious adverse events, adverse events, and laboratory test abnormalities was consistent with that expected from a population with acute ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. There was no dose-dependent increase of adverse events, with the exception of headache (17% in placebo group, 23% in high-dose group).

There was a dose-dependent specific antibody response at day 90 (Figure 5) but no nonspecific antibody response on IgG, IgM, C3, or C4.



View larger version (24K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 5. Specific neutralizing UK-279,276 antibody response (ng/mL in serum) by dose. Values are mean and SE.


*    Discussion
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowSubjects and Methods
up arrowResults
*Discussion
down arrowAppendix
down arrowReferences
 
There are 3 main findings from this study: first, UK-279,276 did not improve outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients on any of the clinical efficacy parameters. Second, UK-279,276 was well tolerated in the population studied and was not associated with increased clinical complications of infection or inflammation. Third, computer-assisted real-time learning about the dose response has been successfully deployed for the first time in a large international stroke study.

The preclinical testing of UK-279,276 had shown a reduction of infarct volume in transient MCAO models but not in animals with permanent occlusion.6 Perfusion status was not assessed in ASTIN, and a subset of patients with complete vessel occlusions is likely to have been included. Future trials may benefit from imaging technology (eg, perfusion CT, M-mode transcranial Doppler) to assess perfusion over time, either as an entry criterion or as covariate of interest.13,14

More recently, UK-279,276 was shown to work in a thromboembolic stroke model, but only in combination with tPA, indicating an enhanced tPA effect at 2 hours and the potential for widening the time window for tPA.7 While a fifth of patients were cotreated with tPA, ASTIN was neither designed nor powered to establish whether the therapeutic effect or time window of tPA could be extended by modulating neuroinflammation with UK-279,276. In a post hoc analysis, the dose responses of UK-279,276 for tPA-treated and non-tPA–treated patients were not significantly different.

The expectation of this trial was to find a mean increase in SSS improvement of >=3 points in treated patients. Post hoc analyses indicate that after correction for baseline severity and age, there was a 1.6-point additional improvement in tPA-treated patients. It may be argued that the expectation of finding an effect twice as strong as the actually observed tPA treatment effect might have been overly ambitious.

Has the hypothesis of improving functional recovery in acute ischemic stroke through modulation of inflammatory response been disproved? The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence; the effect size aimed for may have been greater than the effect size achievable with this type of therapy, and the primary measure may not have been sufficiently sensitive to a small drug effect.

Why was the expected average recovery in ASTIN greater than that predicted by the Copenhagen Stroke Study? ASTIN entry criteria may have selected a less severely affected set of stroke patients than the unselected cohort observed in the Copenhagen Stroke Study. ASTIN patients may have been assessed earlier after symptom onset than in the Copenhagen Stroke Study and documented early neurological improvement more effectively. ASTIN data were collected nearly a decade later than the Copenhagen Stroke Study, reflecting changes in stroke management. ASTIN patients were recruited exclusively from acute stroke units and were treated according to European Stroke Initiative guidelines,10 and the study population contained a considerable subset of tPA-treated patients.

Before a patient’s day 90 score became available, a longitudinal model was used to impute the final SSS score from earlier data. At the start of the study, imputation was based on a longitudinal model estimated solely from the Copenhagen Stroke Study data. There is evidence that the imputed values were positively biased by approximately 5 points (to be discussed more extensively elsewhere). However, after 27 weeks the longitudinal model was updated with data from ASTIN itself. By week 35 the imputed values were no longer biased. It is unlikely that this early bias will have negatively affected the adaptive treatment allocation since bias applied equally to all groups.

Concentrating on survivors for the efficacy analysis, while sensitive, is controversial, but secondary analyses and IDMC procedures considered all patients.

Running a trial with 16 different treatment arms was challenging, both conceptually and logistically. The dose-dependent development of specific UK-279,276 antibodies (Figure 5) is indirect evidence for successful administration of the drug across a wide dose range.

Striving for high data quality was a key priority in designing and implementing ASTIN. Good interactions between individual stroke centers, steering committee, and sponsor, video training on outcome measures, regular feedback on individual onset-to-treatment time performance, and repeated assessments of rater performance on neurological stroke scales helped to achieve this. Future trials may benefit from implementing similar procedures, particularly to reduce interrater variability on clinical end points.

Raters participating in ASTIN were asked to assess videotaped stroke patients on the SSS and NIHSS: the SD was 3.9 for SSS and 1.5 for NIHSS (to be reported more extensively elsewhere). While it is reassuring that ASTIN was able to demonstrate a tPA treatment effect, more stringent efforts to contain interrater variability would have increased the sensitivity to a potential treatment effect and would have decreased the sample size required to make an early termination decision.

A traditional phase 2 design comparing placebo with 3 active doses would have required a total of 1080 evaluable patients to have a power of 80% to detect a 3-point {Delta}SSS. By deploying a traditional design, the information value would have been reduced from learning about 15 doses and the dose response to exploring only 3 doses.

ASTIN for the first time used real-time learning in a large international stroke trial. The adaptive design efficiently examined the dose response and recommended early discontinuation. With slower recruitment and without the protocol requirement to accumulate day 90 data from 500 evaluable patients before termination for futility, the trial would have stopped even earlier. This methodology has great potential in the design of future phase 2 dose-response–finding studies of neuroprotection and thrombolysis therapies.


*    Appendix
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowSubjects and Methods
up arrowResults
up arrowDiscussion
*Appendix
down arrowReferences
 
ASTIN Study Investigators
Independent Data Monitoring Committee
K.R. Lees, Glasgow, UK (chair); K. Asplund, Umea, Sweden; J.M. Orgogozo, Bordeaux, France; D. Spiegelhalter, Cambridge, UK. J. Kirkpatrick, Cambridge, UK, prepared IDMC reports.

Steering Committee
Executive: W. Hacke, Heidelberg, Germany (chair); G. Donnan, Melbourne, Australia; G.A. Ford, Newcastle, UK; M. Kaste, Helsinki, Finland; P. Teal, Vancouver, Canada. Sponsor representatives: A. Grieve, K. Gunn, M. Krams, Sandwich, UK. Nonexecutive: N. Bornstein, Tel Aviv, Israel; A. Davalos, Girona, Spain; H.C. Diener, Essen, Germany; V. Gallai, Perugia, Italy; R. von Kummer, Dresden, Germany; Z. Nagy, Budapest, Hungary; T. Skyhoj-Olsen, Hellerup, Denmark; P. Wester, Umea, Sweden.

CT Reading Committee
R. von Kummer, M. Korves, D. Mucha, O. Wunderlich, Dresden, Germany.

Study Investigators
Australia: C. Bladin, Box Hill (10); J.L. Corbett, Southport (3); D. Crimmins, Gosford (10); S.M. Davis, Melbourne (10); S.M. Davis, Footscray (11); G.A. Donnan, Heidelberg, (7); D.W. Dunbabin, Hobart (2); J.H. Frayne, Prahran (8); P. Gates, Geelong (8); G.K. Herkes, St Leonards (5); C.R. Levi, New Lambton (7); D.W. Schultz, Bedford Park (4); P. Talman, Clayton (6); J.D. Watson, Camperdown (2); M.H. Williams, Southport (6); A. Zagami, Sydney (5); Canada: N. Bayer, Toronto (7); M. Beaudry, Chicoutimi (7); L. Berger, Greenfield Park (6); S. Black, Toronto (9); D.A. Cameron, North Vancouver (16); A. Demchuk, Calgary (22); A.F. Gagnon, Trois-Rivieres (11); V. Hachinski, London (14); K. Ho, New Westminster (6); A. Kertesz, London (8); L.H. LeBrun, Montreal (13); D. Rivest, Levis (2); A. Shuaib, Edmonton (26); D. Simard, Quebec (10); P. Teal, Vancouver (16); C. Voll, Saskatoon (25); M.J. Wong, Vancouver (1); Denmark: G. Boysen, Copenhagen (1); T.S. Olsen, Hellerup (12); Estonia: M. Roose, Tartu (24); Finland: M. Kaste, Helsinki (11); R. Marttila, Turku (4); O. Pammo, Lahti (10); J. Sivenius, Kuopio (9); France: J. Boulliat, Bourg en Bresse (1); M. Giroud, Dijon (11); H. Outin, Poissy (2); Germany: R. Benecke, Rostock (8); U. Bogdahn, Regensburg (2); O. Busse, Minden (5); H.C. Diener, Essen (1); M. Eicke, Mainz (9); G. Gahn, Dresden (1); M. Grond, Koeln (4); W. Hacke, Heidelberg (31); A. Hartmann, Berlin (8); C. Kessler, Greisfwald (4); A. Mueller-Jensen, Hamburg (24); N. Niedermaier, Ludwigshafen (11); D. Schneider, Leipzig (32); G. Seidel, Luebeck (8); S. Fitzek, Jena (9); C. Weiller, Hamburg (5); Hungary: Z. Haffner, Gyor (36); S. Horvath, Kistarcsa (7); Z. Nagy, Budapest (25); I. Sagi, Miskolc (16); Israel: N. Bornstein, Tel Aviv (4); B. Gross, Haifa (5); Y. Lampl, Holon (8), D. Tanne, Tel Hashomer (9); Italy: V. Gallai, L. Parnetti, Perugia (50); D. Mancia, Parma (1); G. Micieli, Pavia (27); L. Murri, Pisa (5); Spain: J. Castillo, Santiago de Compostela (31); A. Chamorro, Barcelona (10); A. Davalos, Girona (32); J.A. Egido, Madrid (2); E. Mostacero, Zaragoza (15); J.A. Sabin, Barcelona (16); E.D. Tejedor, Madrid (16); J.L.M. Vilalta, Barcelona (17); J.A. Villanueva, Madrid (20); Sweden: M. Callander, Linkoping (7); T-B. Kall, Stockholm (5); B. Leijd, Stockholm (5); B. Ramstroemer, Halmstad (6); P. Wester, Umea (3); UK: D.H. Barer, Gateshead (6); J.A. Barrett, Birkenhead (6); G.A. Ford, Newcastle (14); D.F. Jenkinson, Bournemouth (3); J.L. Reid, Glasgow (3); A.K. Sharma, Liverpool (2).

Pfizer Global Research and Development and Tessella plc Personnel
Pfizer Global Research and Development personnel: P. Sanders, L. Corrigan, M. Jones, R. King, S. Durham, S. Savage (UK), R. Hansen (Australia), C. Small (Canada), B. Andersen (Denmark), H. Talivee (Estonia), G. Totterman (Finland), K. Fajoles (France), H. Barth (Germany), K. Der (Hungary), G. Elgar (Israel), D. Radula, R. Pasquali (Italy), M. Martos (Spain), J. Fall (Sweden).

Tessella plc (Abingdon, UK) provided centralized treatment allocation and supported the real-time learning software: Tom Parke, Jim Painter, John Whittle, Nick Draper, Claire Reed.


*    Acknowledgments
 
Acknowledgments

Pfizer Global Research and Development, Sandwich, UK, sponsored this study and provided drug supplies. Trial design and simulation software were developed by Donald A. Berry and Peter Mueller (Department of Biostatistics, MD Anderson, Houston, Tex). Tom Skyhoj-Olsen and Henrik S. Jorgensen (Department of Neurology, University Hospital Gentofte, Copenhagen, Denmark) provided access to acute stroke data for simulation purposes. The authors have had full and continuing access to the ASTIN data, have retained the right to publish the results without restriction by the sponsor subject other than a period of review for comment and protection of patent issues, and take full responsibility for the results and conclusions presented within.


*    Footnotes
 
A list of the members of the ASTIN Study Investigators appears in the Appendix.

Received April 2, 2003; revision received May 9, 2003; accepted June 24, 2003.


*    References
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowSubjects and Methods
up arrowResults
up arrowDiscussion
up arrowAppendix
*References
 
1. Becker KJ. Targeting the central nervous system inflammatory response in ischemic stroke. Curr Opin Neurol. 2001; 14: 349–353.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

2. Barone FC, Parsons AA. Therapeutic potential of anti-inflammatory drugs in focal stroke. Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2000; 9: 2281–2306.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

3. Emerich DF, Dean RL III, Bartus RT. The role of leukocytes following cerebral ischemia: pathogenic variable or bystander reaction to emerging infarct? Exp Neurol. 2002; 173: 168–181.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

4. Enlimomab Acute Stroke Trial Investigators. Use of anti-ICAM-1 therapy in ischemic stroke: results of the Enlimomab Acute Stroke Trial. Neurology. 2001; 57: 1428–1434.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

5. Becker KJ. Anti-leukocyte antibodies: LeukArrest (Hu23F2G) and Enlimomab (R6.5) in acute stroke. Curr Med Res Opin. 2002; 18 (suppl 2): s18–s22.

6. Jiang N, Chopp M, Chahwala S. Neutrophil inhibitory factor treatment of focal cerebral ischemia in the rat. Brain Res. 1998; 788: 25–34.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

7. Zhang L, Zhang ZG, Zhang RL, Lu M, Krams M, Chopp M. Effects of a selective CD11b/CD18 antagonist and recombinant tissue plasminogen activator treatment alone and in combination in a rat embolic model of stroke. Stroke. 2003; 34: 1790–1795.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

8. Lees KR, Diener H-C, Asplund K, Krams M, for the UK-279,276-301 Study Investigators. UK-279,276, a neutrophil inhibitory glycoprotein, in acute stroke: tolerability and pharmacokinetics. Stroke. 2003; 34: 1704–1709.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

9. Berry DA, Mueller P, Grieve AP, Smith MK, Parke T, Krams M. Bayesian designs for dose-ranging drug trials. In: Gatsonis C, Kass RE, Carlin B, Carriquiry A, Gelman A, Verdinelli I, West M, eds. Case Studies in Bayesian Statistics, Vol 5. New York, NY: Springer-Verlag; 2002: 99–181.

10. European Stroke Initiative recommendations for stroke management. Cerebrovasc Dis. 2000; 10: 335–351.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

11. West M, Harrison PJ. Bayesian Forecasting and Dynamic Models. New York, NY: Springer-Verlag; 1997.

12. Jorgensen HS, Nakayama H, Raaschou HO, Vive-Larsen J, Stoier M, Olsen TS. Outcome and time course of recovery in stroke: the Copenhagen Stroke Study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1995; 76: 399–412.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

13. Schellinger PD, Fiebach JB, Hacke W. Imaging-based decision making in thrombolytic therapy for ischemic stroke: present status. Stroke. 2003; 34: 575–583.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

14. Alexandrov AV, Demchuk AM, Burgin WS. Insonation method and diagnostic flow signatures for transcranial power motion (M-mode) Doppler. J Neuroimaging. 2002; 12: 236–244.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
ANN INTERN MEDHome page
B. R. Luce, J. M. Kramer, S. N. Goodman, J. T. Connor, S. Tunis, D. Whicher, and J. S. Schwartz
Rethinking Randomized Clinical Trials for Comparative Effectiveness Research: The Need for Transformational Change
Ann Intern Med, August 4, 2009; 151(3): 206 - 209.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
M. D. Ginsberg
Current Status of Neuroprotection for Cerebral Ischemia: Synoptic Overview
Stroke, March 1, 2009; 40(3_suppl_1): S111 - S114.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
I. R. Konig, A. Ziegler, E. Bluhmki, W. Hacke, P. M.W. Bath, R. L. Sacco, H. C. Diener, C. Weimar, and on behalf of the Virtual International Stroke Tria
Predicting Long-Term Outcome After Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Simple Index Works in Patients From Controlled Clinical Trials
Stroke, June 1, 2008; 39(6): 1821 - 1826.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
B. H. Buck, D. S. Liebeskind, J. L. Saver, O. Y. Bang, S. W. Yun, S. Starkman, L. K. Ali, D. Kim, J. P. Villablanca, N. Salamon, et al.
Early Neutrophilia Is Associated With Volume of Ischemic Tissue in Acute Stroke
Stroke, February 1, 2008; 39(2): 355 - 360.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
J. Rother
Neuroprotection Does Not Work!
Stroke, February 1, 2008; 39(2): 523 - 524.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
G. A. Donnan
The 2007 Feinberg Lecture: A New Road Map for Neuroprotection
Stroke, January 1, 2008; 39(1): 242 - 242.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Clin PharmacolHome page
A. Maloney, M. O. Karlsson, and U. S. H. Simonsson
Optimal Adaptive Design in Clinical Drug Development: A Simulation Example
J. Clin. Pharmacol., October 1, 2007; 47(10): 1231 - 1243.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
JCOHome page
R. G. Maki, J. K. Wathen, S. R. Patel, D. A. Priebat, S. H. Okuno, B. Samuels, M. Fanucchi, D. C. Harmon, S. M. Schuetze, D. Reinke, et al.
Randomized Phase II Study of Gemcitabine and Docetaxel Compared With Gemcitabine Alone in Patients With Metastatic Soft Tissue Sarcomas: Results of Sarcoma Alliance for Research Through Collaboration Study 002
J. Clin. Oncol., July 1, 2007; 25(19): 2755 - 2763.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
H. P. Adams Jr, G. del Zoppo, M. J. Alberts, D. L. Bhatt, L. Brass, A. Furlan, R. L. Grubb, R. T. Higashida, E. C. Jauch, C. Kidwell, et al.
Guidelines for the Early Management of Adults With Ischemic Stroke: A Guideline From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Stroke Council, Clinical Cardiology Council, Cardiovascular Radiology and Intervention Council, and the Atherosclerotic Peripheral Vascular Disease and Quality of Care Outcomes in Research Interdisciplinary Working Groups: The American Academy of Neurology affirms the value of this guideline as an educational tool for neurologists.
Circulation, May 22, 2007; 115(20): e478 - e534.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
H. P. Adams Jr, G. del Zoppo, M. J. Alberts, D. L. Bhatt, L. Brass, A. Furlan, R. L. Grubb, R. T. Higashida, E. C. Jauch, C. Kidwell, et al.
Guidelines for the Early Management of Adults With Ischemic Stroke: A Guideline From the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association Stroke Council, Clinical Cardiology Council, Cardiovascular Radiology and Intervention Council, and the Atherosclerotic Peripheral Vascular Disease and Quality of Care Outcomes in Research Interdisciplinary Working Groups: The American Academy of Neurology affirms the value of this guideline as an educational tool for neurologists
Stroke, May 1, 2007; 38(5): 1655 - 1711.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
J. M. Gee, A. Kalil, C. Shea, and K. J. Becker
Lymphocytes: Potential Mediators of Postischemic Injury and Neuroprotection
Stroke, February 1, 2007; 38(2): 783 - 788.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Decision AnalysisHome page
P. Muller, D. A. Berry, A. P. Grieve, and M. Krams
A Bayesian Decision-Theoretic Dose-Finding Trial
Decision Analysis, December 1, 2006; 3(4): 197 - 207.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
A. E. Baird
The Forgotten Lymphocyte: Immunity and Stroke
Circulation, May 2, 2006; 113(17): 2035 - 2036.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Mult SclerHome page
H F McFarland and S C Reingold
The future of multiple sclerosis therapies: redesigning multiple sclerosis clinical trials in a new therapeutic eraa
Multiple Sclerosis, December 1, 2005; 11(6): 669 - 676.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
P. W. Ho, D. C. Reutens, T. G. Phan, P. M. Wright, R. Markus, I. Indra, D. Young, and G. A. Donnan
Is White Matter Involved in Patients Entered into Typical Trials of Neuroprotection?
Stroke, December 1, 2005; 36(12): 2742 - 2744.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
G. A. Donnan and S. M. Davis
Stroke Drug Development: Usually, But Not Always, Animal Models
Stroke, October 1, 2005; 36(10): 2326 - 2326.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Clin TrialsHome page
A. P Grieve and M. Krams
ASTIN: a Bayesian adaptive dose-response trial in acute stroke
Clinical Trials, August 1, 2005; 2(4): 340 - 351.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
M. Fisher and for the Stroke Therapy Academic Industry Roundtabl
Enhancing the Development and Approval of Acute Stroke Therapies: Stroke Therapy Academic Industry Roundtable
Stroke, August 1, 2005; 36(8): 1808 - 1813.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
G. A. Donnan, S. M. Davis, and D. A. Berry
Clinical Trials: Is the Bayesian Approach Ready for Prime Time? Yes!
Stroke, July 1, 2005; 36(7): 1621 - 1622.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
G. A. Donnan, S. M. Davis, and J. Ludbrook
The Bayesian Principle: Can We Adapt?
Stroke, July 1, 2005; 36(7): 1623 - 1624.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
M. Krams, K. R. Lees, and D. A. Berry
The Past Is the Future: Innovative Designs in Acute Stroke Therapy Trials
Stroke, June 1, 2005; 36(6): 1341 - 1347.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Leukoc. Biol.Home page
K. Yonekawa and J. M. Harlan
Targeting leukocyte integrins in human diseases
J. Leukoc. Biol., February 1, 2005; 77(2): 129 - 140.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
M. E. Sughrue, E. S. Connolly Jr, M. Krams, K. R. Lees, W. Hacke, A. P. Grieve, J.-M. Orgogozo, and G. A. Ford
Effectively Bridging the Preclinical/Clinical Gap: The Results of the ASTIN Trial * Response
Stroke, April 1, 2004; 35(4): e81 - e82.
[Full Text] [PDF]


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
34/11/2543    most recent
01.STR.0000092527.33910.89v1
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Krams, M.
Right arrow Articles by Ford, G. A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Krams, M.
Right arrow Articles by Ford, G. A.
Right arrowPubmed/NCBI databases
*Substance via MeSH
Medline Plus Health Information
*Stroke
Related Collections
Right arrow Acute Cerebral Infarction
Right arrow Emergency treatment of Stroke
Right arrow Neuroprotectors