New drug may treat blood pressure and heart disease
Thursday March 18th, 2010
By Jane Collingwood
Researchers have found good results with a new drug that can treat both
high blood pressure and heart disease.
The drug, LCZ696, is an angiotensin-II-receptor and neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) that works in two ways. It blocks the action of the hormone angiotensin II which causes arteries to constrict, and neutralises a substance called neprilysin which causes blood vessels to relax and widen.
Experts suggest its dual action means LCZ696 may be ideal for treating high blood pressure and heart failure.
It was recently investigated by Professor Luis Ruilope of Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain, and colleagues. They compared the new drug with the angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) valsartan.
A total of 1,328 patients with mild-to-moderate high blood pressure were recruited from 18 countries. Patients were randomly assigned to eight weeks of treatment. They received LCZ696 at either 100, 200, or 400mg, valsartan at 80, 160, or 320, AHU377 (which blocks neprilysin alone) at 200mg, or placebo.
Results showed that LCZ696 led to significant reductions in blood pressure compared with valsartan (a mean drop in sitting diastolic blood pressure of -2.17 mm Hg and sitting systolic blood pressure of -4.20 mm Hg).
LCZ696 was safe and generally well tolerated at all doses, say the researchers in The Lancet.
They conclude: "Compared with valsartan, dual-acting LCZ696 provides complementary and fully additive reduction of blood pressure, which suggests that the drug holds promise for treatment of hypertension and cardiovascular disease."
The researchers have financial connections to the drug's manufacturer and study funder, Novartis.
Commenting on the study, Bernard Waeber of the Universite de Lausanne in Switzerland, writes, "We now have sufficient encouraging data to justify undertaking large clinical trials."
Ruilope, L. M. et al. Blood-pressure reduction with LCZ696, a novel dual-acting inhibitor of the angiotensin II receptor and neprilysin: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, active comparator study. The Lancet, published online March 16, 2010.
Waeber, B. and Feihl, F. Blood-pressure reduction with LCZ696. The Lancet, published online March 16, 2010.
Tags: Europe | Heart Health | Pharmaceuticals
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