Extended Inhibition of Platelet Aggregation With the Orally Active Platelet Inhibitor SC-54684A

Background Platelet aggregation is important in thrombotic events, and platelets play a major role in the etiology of several cardiovascular diseases. Platelet aggregation requires the binding of fibrinogen (fgn) to activated platelets. Synthetic peptides modeled after the RGD binding sequence on the fgn α-chain block the platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor for fgn and effectively inhibit aggregation. SC-54684A (SCp, orally active prodrug of the active moiety SC-54701, SCa) is a mimetic of the RGD-containing peptide sequence that is recognized by the platelet GPIIb/IIIa receptor. SCa blocks the binding of fgn to the platelet and therefore prevents platelet aggregation in response to all agonists. Methods and Results SCp was administered orally at 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 mg/kg in a single-dose, dose-ranging study. Blood samples were taken periodically for 24 hours, and platelet-rich plasma was prepared and tested for inhibition of ex vivo collagen-induced platelet aggregation. The plasma concentra...