Effective Blood Pressure Management: New Drug Demonstrates Impressive Performance
A Brilliant Breakthrough in Blood Pressure Management:
A groundbreaking treatment for uncontrollable high blood pressure has shown outstanding results in a massive global clinical trial.
The Phase 3 Launch-HTN study unveiled that lorundrostat, an aldosterone synthase inhibitor, safely and consistently lowered blood pressure in a vast, diverse group of patients who didn't respond to other medications. This discovery marks a significant leap in crafting the first targeted aldosterone synthase inhibitor for these challenging conditions.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a global health concern that significantly boosts the risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. Particularly troublesome is resistant hypertension, a form where the blood pressure remains elevated despite taking three or more blood pressure medications at their maximum doses. Research indicates that up to 15% of individuals with hypertension have abnormal aldosterone regulation.
Elevated aldosterone levels due to this dysregulation can cause hypertension. This new study, presented at the 34th European Meeting on Hypertension and Cardiovascular Protection, demonstrates that lorundrostat—a drug targeting aldosterone synthase—is both effective and safe for individuals battling uncontrolled or resistant hypertension. Although the findings are yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal, they mark a significant stride in managing resistant hypertension.
How Does Lorundrostat Work?
Lorundrostat specifically targets and inhibits CYP11B2, the enzyme responsible for aldosterone production. By doing so, it effectively lowers aldosterone levels, consequently reducing blood pressure. The study proved consistent reductions in blood pressure across a large and diverse group of patients, representing the largest phase three trial for this class of treatment so far.
Manish Saxena, MD, the lead investigator of the study and a Hypertension Specialist from Barts Health NHS Trust, discussed the findings with Medical News Today. "Lorundrostat is a novel treatment that significantly improves outcomes for adults with uncontrolled or hard-to-treat hypertension," Saxena stated.
Manish Saxena, MD adds:"Hypertension affects a significant proportion of the global population and is linked to heart failure, stroke, and kidney problems. In our Launch-HTN trial, we've found lorundrostat to have a positive safety profile and consistently lower blood pressure in our diverse patient groups. These findings are remarkable, especially since patients were on multiple medications."
Does Lorundrostat Prove Effective in Resistant Hypertension?
The Launch-HTN trial was a global, phase 3 study that was randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled. It included adult participants whose blood pressure remained uncontrolled despite taking two to five antihypertensive medications. Reflecting real-world clinical practice, the trial used automated office blood pressure (AOBP) measurements and allowed participants to maintain their existing treatments.
Lorundrostat, provided as a once-daily 50 mg dose, displayed meaningful and sustained reductions in systolic blood pressure. At Week 6, it dropped by 16.9 mmHg (a 9.1 mmHg reduction compared to placebo), and by Week 12, it decreased by 19 mmHg (an 11.7 mmHg reduction versus placebo).
Future Perspectives:
Two experts, not involved in the study, also shared their insights with Medical News Today.
Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist, emphasized that aldosterone synthase inhibitors like lorundrostat have potential for treating resistant hypertension. The trial confirmed the safety and efficacy of lorundrostat for patients with uncontrolled or resistant hypertension, making it one more tool in the arsenal for managing difficult-to-control blood pressure.
Rigved Tadwalkar, MD, FACC, a consultative cardiologist, agreed, noting that lorundrostat appears to disrupt the aldosterone pathway and offers a more practical and safe way to significantly reduce blood pressure. These promising results are especially significant when considering that the patients in the study were already on multiple medications.
Both experts praised the incorporation of AOBP measurements in the study design, reflecting real-world clinical practice and making the trial results more relevant to everyday medical care.
In conclusion, the Launch-HTN trial results indicate that lorundrostat, an aldosterone synthase inhibitor, can be a game-changer in blood pressure management, particularly for individuals with uncontrolled or resistant hypertension. Future research will build upon these findings and determine the drug's long-term benefits for hypertension patients around the globe.
- The groundbreaking treatment for uncontrollable high blood pressure, lorundrostat, targets the enzyme responsible for aldosterone production (CYP11B2) and is effective in lowering blood pressure, particularly in individuals battling uncontrolled or resistant hypertension.
- The Phase 3 Launch-HTN study demonstrated that lorundrostat provides a positive safety profile and consistently lowers blood pressure, making it one more tool in the arsenal for managing difficult-to-control blood pressure.
- The Launch-HTN trial, which used automated office blood pressure (AOBP) measurements and reflected real-world clinical practice, revealed that lorundrostat significantly reduces blood pressure, with a 19 mmHg decrease seen at Week 12.
- This discovery, marking a significant leap in crafting the first targeted aldosterone synthase inhibitor for challenging medical-conditions such as hypertension, heart failure, and stroke, may pave the way for novel therapies-and-treatments in the health-and-wellness sector, specifically for chronic diseases such as hypertension and resistant hypertension.
