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Alteplase is a clot-dissolving medicine. In cancer care its common use is a small dose left inside a port or central line that has stopped working because of a clot, to get blood flowing through it again.
The Cathflo Activase label is "indicated for the restoration of function to central venous access devices as assessed by the ability to withdraw blood"; the Activase label covers acute ischaemic stroke, acute myocardial infarction and acute massive pulmonary embolism. People having chemotherapy through ports, PICC lines and tunnelled catheters are the main users of the catheter indication. A 2012 Cochrane review found very low-quality evidence from two single studies that alteplase 2 mg/2 mL may restore flow in lumens blocked by thrombosis, and called for better trials. The Genentech biologics licence (BLA 103172) was first approved on 13 November 1987.
Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator: converts plasminogen to plasmin, which breaks down the fibrin in a clot.
1.Alteplase slips into a pocket on its target.
| Region | Year | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| US | 1987 | Activase: acute ischaemic stroke, acute myocardial infarction and acute massive pulmonary embolism. Cathflo Activase: restoration of function to central venous access devices · Year is the original BLA 103172 approval (Drugs@FDA); the Cathflo indication came later |
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Query for this drug: (TITLE:"Alteplase" OR ABSTRACT:"Alteplase" OR TITLE:"Activase" OR ABSTRACT:"Activase" OR TITLE:"Cathflo Activase" OR ABSTRACT:"Cathflo Activase" OR TITLE:"tPA" OR ABSTRACT:"tPA" OR TITLE:"Cathflo" OR ABSTRACT:"Cathflo" OR TITLE:"Actilyse" OR ABSTRACT:"Actilyse") AND (cancer OR tumor OR tumour OR oncology OR carcinoma OR lymphoma OR leukemia OR leukaemia OR myeloma OR sarcoma OR melanoma OR glioma). Results are unfiltered search hits about Alteplase, not a curated reading list.
Shares Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC lines), Implanted ports for chemotherapy (port-a-cath, power-injectable, apheresis and intraperitoneal ports), Infusion pumps, ports, and ambulatory chemotherapy devices, Central venous access (port, PICC line) and the tag supportive-care-gaps-2026-11.
Shares the tags supportive, generic, supportive-care-gaps-2026-11.
Shares the tags supportive, generic, supportive-care-gaps-2026-11.
Shares the tags supportive, generic, supportive-care-gaps-2026-11.
Shares the tags supportive, generic, supportive-care-gaps-2026-11.
Shares the tags supportive, generic, supportive-care-gaps-2026-11.
Shares the tags supportive, generic, supportive-care-gaps-2026-11.
Shares the tags supportive, generic, supportive-care-gaps-2026-11.
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