Study shows Clazosentan is effective in prevention of cerebral vasospasm

Vasospasm is said to occur 5-14 days following subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and leads to strokes and neurological deficits that cause disability and death. 70% of people who have aneurysmal SAH may have arterial narrowing and despite surgical and endovascular advances in securing the aneurysm, the outcomes are poor with up to 30% developing neurological deficits or dying.

34 patients took part in the study, which demonstrated that patients given the clazosentan drug continuously for up to 14 days suffered from fewer and less severe cases of vasospasm (40%) compared to those who received placebo (88%).

The study also demonstrated that 15% patients developed new cerebral infarcts in the clazosentan group, as opposed to 44% in the placebo group.

“While our understanding of cerebral vasospasm has continued to improve, a solution to this challenge is yet to be found,” said Peter Vajkoczy, the main author of the study. “However, these results are certainly promising and it is important that these findings are assessed and confirmed in a larger population to identify how clazosentan may have an impact in clinical practice.”

According to Actelion, the results of the study have led to the initiation of a third phase development program for clazosentan, which will analyze the efficacy of three dose levels of clazosentan in preventing cerebral vasospasm following SAH. It will also assess the ability of clazosentan to reduce early morbidity/mortality as well as overall safety and tolerability of the drug.