Breakthrough in Hypertension Treatment: New Drug Shows Promising Results

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have made significant strides in the treatment of uncontrolled hypertension, a condition that affects nearly half of all adults in the United States. In a recent clinical trial, an investigational drug named lorundrostat demonstrated the ability to lower systolic blood pressure by an average of 15 points, in stark contrast to the 7-point reduction seen in participants receiving a placebo.

The findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, arise from a Phase II, multicenter clinical trial involving 285 participants from various institutions, including UC San Diego Health and the Cleveland Clinic Coordinating Center for Clinical Research. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of lorundrostat in patients whose hypertension remained inadequately controlled despite standard treatment options.

Hypertension, often referred to as high blood pressure, is a silent condition that typically shows no symptoms but can lead to serious health issues, including heart disease. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 120 million adults in the country suffer from hypertension, making it a significant public health concern.

The hormone aldosterone plays a key role in blood pressure regulation, and dysregulation of this hormone can lead to treatment-resistant hypertension. The study focused on addressing this hormonal imbalance, which is often overlooked in hypertension management.

During the trial, all participants initially received standardized antihypertensive medications for three weeks to establish a baseline. Subsequently, 190 participants were administered lorundrostat, which inhibits aldosterone production, while 95 others received a placebo. Blood pressure was monitored continuously over 24-hour periods at various points throughout the study.

Results indicated that those treated with lorundrostat experienced a notable reduction in systolic blood pressure, averaging a decrease of 15 mmHg. While some participants still had elevated readings by the end of the trial, researchers expressed optimism about the drug's potential, given that most participants had previously struggled to manage their blood pressure effectively with existing medications.

The diverse patient population involved in the trial may enhance the drug's applicability across different demographic groups at risk for heart disease. The next phase of research will involve a larger Phase III trial to further explore the drug's efficacy and safety.

Co-authors of the study span multiple institutions, suggesting a collaborative effort in advancing hypertension treatment options. As researchers continue to investigate lorundrostat and its effects, there is hope for a new weapon in the fight against high blood pressure.