Study raises hopes of injection for high blood pressure
An injection could one day be available to treat high blood pressure
Friday, 07, Mar 2008 01:34
A new four-yearly injection could remove the need for daily pills to control high blood pressure, a study said today.
Researchers behind the jab say it could manage hypertension (high blood pressure) better than pills as some people fail to take them as advised due to concerns over taking long-term medication in the absence of symptoms.
The drug's manufacturers, Swiss-based Cytos Biotechnology, tested it in 72 people with mild to moderate hypertension.
They found that it had a significant effect on blood pressure in the morning, when most cardiovascular events occur.
"Importantly, it is compatible with a treatment regimen of a few injections per year, when the vaccine could be administered during regular control visits of hypertensive patients to their doctors," the researchers write in the Lancet journal today.
"Such a regimen is likely to promote adherence to treatment but will need to be supported by clinical data."
In an accompanying comment, Dr Ola Samuelsson and Dr Han Herlitz, from Sweden's Sahgrenska University Hospital, said: "The results of this new biotherapy for hypertension are intriguing and promising, and vaccination for hypertension may turn out to be very useful in many patients."
Professor Jeremy Pearson, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, commented: "These new results show that immunising people against a hormone, Angiotensin II, may be a promising way to tackle high blood pressure.
"However, the study was a small one designed to test treatment safety rather than long-term results, so will need to be backed up with bigger, longer-term trials before we know whether it can offer real hope to high blood pressure sufferers."
He added: "Immunisation may be of particular benefit to people who find it difficult to stick to high blood pressure medication or suffer side effects, but there is still a long way to go before this approach replaces the highly effective current treatments.
"Looking after your heart through regular exercise, cutting down on salt, and only drinking in moderation remain the best ways in which we can prevent high blood pressure."