Effective Blood Pressure Control: Promising New Medication Yields Impressive Results
Spankin' New Treatment for Those Hypertension Cases Giving You a Hard Time
A recent study presented at the 34th European Meeting on Hypertension and Cardiovascular Protection shows promise for a novel treatment to tackle difficult-to-control high blood pressure.
This new treatment, dubbed lorundrostat, is an aldosterone synthase inhibitor that works by targeting CYP11B2, the enzyme responsible for aldosterone production. By impeding this enzyme, lorundrostat decreases aldosterone levels within the body.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, affects the global population significantly and increases the risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. Intriguingly, up to 15% of people with hypertension have abnormal aldosterone regulation.
When these elevated aldosterone levels occur due to dysregulation, it can contribute to high blood pressure.
In the Phase 3 Launch-HTN study, lorundrostat proved both safe and effective for individuals with uncontrolled or resistant hypertension. This marked the largest phase three trial to date investigating this class of treatment.
Manish Saxena, MD, Clincial Co-Director of the William Harvey Heart Centre at Queen Mary University of London and a Hypertension Specialist from Barts Health NHS Trust, served as the study's lead investigator and shared some insights with Medical News Today.
"Roughly one-fifth of adults worldwide struggle to reach their blood pressure goals despite existing treatments. The aldosterone pathway plays an essential part in blood pressure regulation and can lead to harmful complications, such as heart failure and kidney problems. In the Launch-HTN trial, we evaluated the safety and effectiveness of lorundostat, a novel drug that inhibits aldosterone synthase, thereby blocking its production from the adrenal glands," said Saxena.
Lorundrostat's innovative mechanism sets it apart from traditional treatments, such as mineralocorticoid receptor blockers (MRBs), which primarily address the effects of aldosterone rather than its production. In doing so, lorundrostat minimizes potential side effects of non-selective inhibition.
The Launch-HTN trail included adult participants with uncontrolled hypertension despite taking two to five antihypertensive medications. Designed to mirror real-world clinical practice, the trial used automated office blood pressure (AOBP) measurements and let participants continue their existing treatments.
As per the trial, lorundrostat, administered once daily at a 50 mg dose, showed significant reductions in systolic blood pressure over time, with drops of 16.9 mmHg at Week 6 and 19 mmHg at Week 12 compared to placebo.
Saxena emphasized that the Launch-HTN trial demonstrated both the safety and efficacy of lorundrostat in a diverse group of participants with resistant hypertension.
"The Launch-HTN trial is the largest phase 3 hypertension study with a cutting-edge drug. We tested lorundostat in a large, diverse international population and discovered that it boasted a good safety profile and reduced blood pressure consistently across all our patient groups," Saxena explained.
Two experts, not involved in the study, also expressed their views on lorundrostat's potential impact, further supporting its promise. Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA, welcomed this new treatment as "one step closer to having another tool in our arsenal for patients with difficult-to-control blood pressure despite being on multiple medications."
Rigved Tadwalkar, MD, FACC, a consultative cardiologist and director of Digital Transformation at Pacific Heart Institute in Santa Monica, CA, echoed these sentiments, stating, "The trial revealed meaningful results, demonstrating that lorundrostat, a member of the new class of aldosterone synthase inhibitors, was effective and safe for patients with resistant hypertension."
As excitement builds around this promising treatment, patients and providers alike eagerly await the future of this innovative approach to managing resistant hypertension.
- This novel treatment, named lorundrostat, targets difficult-to-control high blood pressure cases.
- Lorundrostat works by inhibiting the CYP11B2 enzyme, responsible for aldosterone production.
- Hypertension, or high blood pressure, increases the risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes.
- Up to 15% of people with hypertension have abnormal aldosterone regulation.
- Elevated aldosterone due to dysregulation can contribute to high blood pressure.
- The Phase 3 Launch-HTN study proved lorundrostat safe and effective for uncontrolled or resistant hypertension cases.
- Manish Saxena, a Hypertension Specialist, led the Launch-HTN study.
- Saxena explained that lorundrostat blocks aldosterone synthase production from the adrenal glands.
- Lorundrostat's mechanism differs from traditional treatments like mineralocorticoid receptor blockers (MRBs).
- The Launch-HTN trial used automated office blood pressure (AOBP) measurements and allowed participants to continue their existing treatments.
- Lorundrostat, given once daily at a 50 mg dose, showed significant reductions in systolic blood pressure over time.
- Saxena highlighted the Launch-HTN trial's safety and efficacy in a diverse group of participants with resistant hypertension.
- Two experts, not involved in the study, also endorsed lorundrostat's potential impact.
- Cheng-Han Chen, a board-certified interventional cardiologist, viewed lorundrostat as another tool for difficult-to-control blood pressure.
- Rigved Tadwalkar, a consultative cardiologist, stated that lorundrostat was effective and safe for patients with resistant hypertension.
- As interest grows in this promising treatment, patients and providers eagerly anticipate its future in managing resistant hypertension.
- This novel treatment in the field of health and wellness raises questions about its potential impact on chronic diseases like cardiovascular issues.
- Furthermore, exploring the role of lorundrostat in sleep and workplace-wellness could lead to further insights into overall health improvement.
- In the context of environmental science, climate change may impact the production and efficacy of therapies and treatments like lorundrostat.
- The manufacturing industry should take advantage of advancements like this to innovate and develop more effective healthcare solutions.
- Mental health is another crucial aspect to consider, as stress and hypertension often go hand-in-hand in many individuals.
- Men's health should also not be overlooked, given the high prevalence of hypertension among men globally.
- Skin-care is a relevant area where science can help mitigate the side effects of treatments like lorundrostat on the skin.
- Nutrition plays a vital role in maintaining overall health and addressing chronic diseases, including cardiovascular health and hypertension.
- Aging and aging populations present unique challenges to managing health conditions like hypertension, making research and development crucial.
- In women's health, lorundrostat could potentially be beneficial for providing personalized treatment plans for hypertension cases.
- Parenting requires continuous awareness of health issues, including hypertension, and making lifestyle changes to ensure a healthy future for children.
- Weight management is another aspect of personal health that intertwines with hypertension, highlighting the need for comprehensive approaches to treatment and prevention.
- The significance of this new treatment in the healthcare industry extends to various sectors, including Medicare, finance, energy, retail, public transit, entrepreneurship, transportation, leadership, diversity and inclusion, automotive, small business, investing, aviation, business, careers, housing-market, venture-capital, banking, and insurance, as well as the real-estate and fintech industries.
