Targeting a2‑antiplasmin to improve recovery after ischemic stroke
Strategy for Improving Stroke Treatment Response (SISTER) Trial
This effort tries to block a protein called a2‑antiplasmin to make clot‑busting therapy safer and help people recover better after an ischemic stroke.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11376143 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers plan to use a monoclonal antibody that inactivates a2‑antiplasmin (a2AP) to reduce brain injury, bleeding, and microvascular clots that can follow an ischemic stroke. The approach builds on lab and animal studies showing that lowering a2AP improves clot breakdown, reduces inflammation and blood‑brain barrier damage, and limits swelling. The program will move this approach toward use alongside or as a complement to existing treatments like alteplase (r‑tPA) and endovascular therapy, monitoring imaging, blood markers, and clinical outcomes. Safety and whether the antibody improves recovery and reduces hemorrhage risk will be closely tracked in treated patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with acute ischemic stroke who are being considered for thrombolysis (alteplase) or who might be treated in extended time windows after symptom onset are the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: People with hemorrhagic stroke, those requiring immediate endovascular retrieval for a large vessel occlusion without adjunctive therapy, or patients outside the trial's time windows may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make clot‑busting treatments safer, reduce brain damage, and help more people regain function after ischemic stroke.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical animal studies and NINDS‑funded work have shown strong benefits from lowering a2AP, but testing an a2AP‑blocking antibody in patients is a relatively new and translational step.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Khatri, Pooja — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Khatri, Pooja
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.