A chimeric murine/human antibody Fab fragment directed against the platelet GPIIb/IIIa receptor enhances and sustains arterial thrombolysis with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator in baboons.

Inhibition of the platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor with the murine monoclonal antibody 7E3 abolishes ex vivo platelet aggregation, reduces thrombogenicity, and sustains arterial recanalization with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA). A chimeric murine/human Fab fragment of 7E3 (c7E3-Fab) has a markedly reduced immunogenicity, but its potency as an adjunct for thrombolysis with rt-PA has not been evaluated. The effects of a single intravenous bolus injection of aspirin (17 mg/kg) or c7E3-Fab (0.45 mg/kg) on thrombolysis and reocclusion induced with rt-PA were studied in groups of six baboons with femoral arterial thrombosis and superimposed high-grade stenosis. This dose of c7E3-Fab blocked 96 +/- 1% of the platelet GPIIb/IIIa receptors and abolished ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Bolus intravenous injections of rt-PA (0.25 mg/kg) were repeated at 15-minute intervals until reperfusion occurred (maximum of four injections). In the aspirin group, reperfusion was obtained within 51 +/- 16 minutes (mean +/- SD) but was rapidly followed by reocclusion within 6 +/- 9 minutes and by cyclic reflow and reocclusion. In the c7E3-Fab group, reperfusion was obtained within 25 +/- 8 minutes (P < .01 versus aspirin group) and was associated with a delayed reocclusion of 63 +/- 63 minutes (P < .05 versus aspirin group). Template bleeding times remained unchanged in the aspirin/rt-PA group but were markedly prolonged (to > 30 minutes) in the c7E3-Fab/rt-PA group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)