Experimental Drug Shows Promise for Hard-to-Treat High Blood Pressure
United States: Early clinical trials indicate an experimental drug can benefit patients who do not control their high blood pressure.
Research conducted by scientists and reported in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that those using lorundrostat experienced a blood pressure reduction that was double compared to placebo users. Systolic measures blood pressure levels through heartbeats as the upper value of a blood pressure reading.
Targeting a Hidden Culprit: Aldosterone
“While blood pressure readings remained elevated at the end of this Phase II trial in some participants treated with lorundrostat, we find these results promising because almost all participants involved in the study were not able to sufficiently lower their blood pressure with medication before,” principal investigator Dr. Michael Wilkinson, an associate professor with the University of California-San Diego School of Medicine, said in a news release.
Researcher background notes specified that Lorundrostat works by blocking the formation of aldosterone hormone which scientists identify as a key contributor to ongoing hypertension.
“We were specifically studying a new approach to addressing imbalanced aldosterone, which is an often underrecognized cause for treatment-resistant hypertension,” said Wilkinson.
Impressive Results in Phase II Trials
The medical study included 285 patients with uncontrolled hypertension who still needed between two and five different blood pressure medications. High blood pressure or hypertension exists when systolic pressure reaches 130 or more while diastolic pressure (the lower number) stays at or above 80 according to the American Heart Association. This condition stands as a major heart disease and stroke activator.
New Drug Shows Promise for Uncontrolled High Blood Pressure.
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Clinical trial results indicate effectiveness in patients resistant to current treatments.
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Doctors gave lorundrostat for 12 weeks to two-thirds of the study participants but the third group received placebo treatment.
The blood pressure results indicated that lorundrostat users achieved a systolic reduction of 15 points, whereas patients on a placebo received only 7 points of decrease.
“Ultimately, we found that the therapy, compared to placebo, was helpful in lowering a person’s systolic blood pressure,” Wilkinson said.
Next Steps: Toward FDA Approval
The findings from these studies may open doors to conducting Phase III clinical trials on lorundrostat so researchers can apply for FDA drug approval status as per specialist opinions.
“As we learn more about the safety and efficacy of this treatment, I’m hopeful we will identify a useful tool in addressing high blood pressure for patients in need,” Wilkinson said.
The clinical trial received financial backing from Mineralys Therapeutics because they produce the medication.
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