Effective Treatment for High Blood Pressure: New Medication Demonstrates Promising Outcomes
A groundbreaking treatment for hard-to-tame high blood pressure, lorundrostat, has shone stellar outcomes in a significant global clinical trial. This aldosterone synthase inhibitor, tested in a diverse group of patients resistant to other medications, proved its mettle in safelyreducing blood pressure levels.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can cause a global stir, raising the risk of heart disease, attacks, and strokes. Resistant hypertension, also known as secondary hypertension, is a form that persists despite taking three or more blood pressure medications at their maximum recommended doses. Experts estimate that up to 15% of hypertension cases stem from dysregulated aldosterone production.
The Phase 3 Launch-HTN study brought forth some exciting news, showcasing lorundrostat's efficacy and safety for patients dealing with uncontrolled or resistant hypertension. Presented at the 34th European Meeting on Hypertension and Cardiovascular Protection, the findings may pave the way for the first targeted aldosterone synthase inhibitor for these conditions.
Lorundrostat zeroes in on aldosterone production by suppressing CYP11B2, the enzyme driving its synthesis. The study revealed consistent reductions in blood pressure across diverse patient groups, marking the largest phase three trial to date for this class of treatment.
Dr. Manish Saxena, lead investigator, provided some insights: "Lorundrostat belongs to a new class of drugs called aldosterone synthase inhibitors that halt aldosterone production from the adrenal glands. In our Launch-HTN trial, we found it maintains a good safety profile and lowers blood pressure in diverse patient groups consistently."
The Launch-HTN trial recruited a global patient population taking two to five antihypertensive medications, reflecting real-world clinical practice. Lorundrostat, administered in a 50mg once-daily dose, demonstrated meaningful and sustained blood pressure reductions— gains of 9.1 mmHg at Week 6 and 11.7 mmHg at Week 12 versus placebo.
With lorundrostat, we come one step closer to having another tool in our arsenal for patients with challenging high blood pressure despite multiple medications, said Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, an interventional cardiologist.
Experts have shared optimistic views on the potential impact of lorundrostat. "By inhibiting aldosterone synthesis at the enzymatic level, lorundrostat displays a good safety profile and consistent efficacy across a diverse population. The blood pressure reductions- nearly 17 mmHg at 6 weeks and close to 19 mmHg at 12 weeks- are significant, especially considering these are already heavily treated patients," said Dr. Rigved Tadwalkar, a consultative cardiologist.
The Launch-HTN trial marks a meaningful stride forward, with the potential to improve treatment outcomes for resistant hypertension patients, experts concurred.
- The drug, lorundrostat, has shown promise in treating resistant hypertension, a form of chronic-diseases that poses a significant risk for cardiovascular problems and other medical-conditions such as strokes.
- This aldosterone synthase inhibitor, lorundrostat, was tested on a diverse group of patients and proved effective in safely reducing blood pressure levels, potentially providing a new treatment option for health-and-wellness.
- The Launch-HTN study, the largest phase three trial to date for this class of treatment, revealed consistent reductions in blood pressure across diverse patient groups, including those managing chronic-kidney-disease and other chronic-diseases.
- By inhibiting aldosterone synthesis at the enzymatic level, lorundrostat displays a good safety profile and consistent efficacy across a diverse population, which may lead to improved treatment outcomes for those living with resistant hypertension.
