PHRI researchers are looking into whether liraglutide, a widely used medication for type 2 diabetes, could benefit patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO), a severe stroke that blocks major blood vessels in the brain.
Even after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT), a procedure to remove the blockage, many patients experience long-term functional impairments, such as difficulties with movement and sensation. The LEAST study, co-led by scientist Aristeidis Katsanos, senior scientist Ashkan Shoamanesh, and scientist Mike Sharma, aims to explore whether liraglutide can improve recovery in these patients.
Aristeidis Katsanos
“If liraglutide proves safe and effective, this widely available medication has the potential to change clinical practice and improve the health outcomes of patients with acute intracranial LVO undergoing EVT worldwide,” said Katsanos.
LEAST has secured $851,063 in funding over the next five years from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. The study will collect pilot data on patient recruitment, and liraglutide’s tolerability and safety in LVO patients.
“We are launching this pilot study with the goal of conducting a larger, multicenter, phase III trial to evaluate liraglutide’s potential to improve post-stroke functional outcomes,” added Katsanos.
The pilot study will involve 100 patients from Canada, with the aim of enrolling the first patient in September 2025.
“This study could change how stroke patients are treated after EVT worldwide by offering a non-invasive and accessible intervention, improving long-term outcomes for millions of people affected by strokes each year.”
