Not Yet RecruitingPhase 3

Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists for Endovascular Stroke Thrombectomy

826 participantsStarted 2026-09-30

Plain-language summary

Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is a procedure that improves recovery for people who suffer from a stroke by removing blood clots from large blood vessels in the brain. However, even with this treatment, over half of the patients either pass away or are left with serious disabilities within three months. This is partly because, even in cases of a successful EVT, brain tissue damage continues to grow. Extent of brain damage is a major factor in how well a patient recovers. Studies in animals have shown that a drug called semaglutide might help protect the brain and improve recovery after a stroke. Semaglutide is currently used for the treatment of diabetes and obesity and is given as a weekly injection under the skin. The investigators are hoping to test whether giving semaglutide to stroke patients undergoing EVT can improve their recovery. A very large study at many hospitals is needed to answer this question. The investigators are starting with a vanguard phase of 100 patients with stroke who are scheduled for EVT in approximately 10 stroke centers across Canada. Once complete the full-scale phase III study of 826 patients (including 100 patients from the vanguard phase) at 52 global stroke centers will start. These patients will be randomly divided (like flipping a coin) into two groups: one will receive weekly semaglutide injections for 12 weeks, while the other will not receive the drug. During the vanguard phase, the investigators will track how many patients agree to participate, how many stay in the study, and how well they follow the treatment plan. The full trial will establish the benefit of semaglutide to improve the outcomes of patients with LVO treated with EVT.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

. Age 18 years or above on the date of randomization.
. EVT for an LVO in the anterior circulation, defined as the intracranial segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and/or the M1 or proximal M2 segment of the middle cerebral artery (MCA).
. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) ≥ 6 points at the time of randomization.
. Pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0 or 1.
. Ability to randomize within 6 hours from the end of EVT.
. Capable of giving signed informed consent either independently, or by a legally authorized representative (LAR).

Exclusion criteria

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Vanguard phase: Feasibility - Recruitment

Timeframe: From site activation until the end of recruitment (approximately 24 months)

Full trial: Functional Independenc

Timeframe: From randomization to day 90±14

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07511543

SponsorPopulation Health Research Institute

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2031-09-30

Contact for this trial

Jodi Miller, PhD

905-521-2100 leaststudy@phri.ca

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Ischemic Stroke trials