Tenecteplase in acute ischemic stroke: an updated meta-analysis

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• Picked for Pharmacology (medical) (top studies of the week, 4 October 2026).

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Tenecteplase (TNK) has emerged as a promising alternative to alteplase (tPA) for intravenous thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TNK compared with tPA. METHODS: Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Central, EBSCO, and Scopus were systematically searched from inception through January 2026 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies comparing TNK with tPA in adults with AIS. Effect estimates were pooled using fixed- or random-effects models according to the degree of heterogeneity and were reported as risk ratios (RRs), odds ratios (ORs), or mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Twenty-four studies (6 RCTs and 18 observational studies; total n = 20,592) involving patients with AIS were included. Compared with tPA, TNK was associated with a greater likelihood of excellent functional recovery (mRS 0-1) at 90 days (RR = 1.08; 95% CI: 1.01-1.15; p = 0.02) and a shorter door-to-needle time by an average of 4 min (MD = -4.20; 95% CI: -7.77 to -0.64; p = 0.02). Mortality was lower among patients treated with TNK (OR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.73-0.94; p = 0.004). However, subgroup analyses restricted to RCTs showed no significant difference in mortality between the TNK and tPA groups (OR = 0.99; 95% CI: 0.82-1.21; p = 0.95). CONCLUSION: TNK provides efficacy and safety profiles comparable to those of tPA while offering a greater likelihood of excellent functional recovery, faster treatment initiation, and lower mortality in observational studies. Further high-quality RCTs are warranted to confirm these findings. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: CRD420251030320.

Abstract as published, via PubMed.