Endothelin News and Research

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Endothelins are proteins that constrict blood vessels and raise blood pressure. They are normally kept in balance by other mechanisms, but when they are over-expressed, they contribute to high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart disease.

Combination therapy may reduce albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes: Study

Results from a Phase 2, 8-week dose-ranging study using low doses of atrasentan in patients with diabetic kidney disease were published this week in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. The published study results suggest that atrasentan, used in conjunction with renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, may reduce albuminuria (presence of protein in urine) for patients with type 2 diabetes.

5 Mar 2011

Certain drugs may block tumor host interactions but do not destroy cancer cells

A class of drugs thought to kill cancer cells may in fact block "cross talk" between the cancer cell and normal immune cells, resulting in reduced cancer growth and spread-a discovery that could significantly alter the way cancer drugs are evaluated in the future.

23 Dec 2010

Scientists investigate new class of drugs for treating kidney failure

Scientists are learning more about how protein gets in the urine when the kidneys begin to fail and how a new drug blocks it.

17 Nov 2010

Study examines link between insufficient sleep and blood pressure among pregnant women

A study in the Oct. 1 issue of the journal Sleep found that getting too little or too much sleep in early pregnancy is associated with elevated blood pressure in the third trimester. The study suggests that improving prenatal sleep hygiene may provide important health benefits.

1 Oct 2010

Study on kidneys may help to treat high blood pressure

A study of the body system that deals with Americans' love affair with salt may yield more insight into why so many end up hypertensive and how to better treat them.

2 Sep 2010

FDA approves brand name VELETRI for Actelion's epoprostenol for injection therapy

Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc., today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the brand name VELETRI® for the company's epoprostenol for injection therapy. VELETRI has been commercially available since April 2010 as Epoprostenol for Injection for the treatment of moderate to severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and PAH associated with the scleroderma spectrum of disease. Actelion plans to release VELETRI-labeled product by early fourth quarter of 2010.

26 Aug 2010

REVEAL risk score calculator provides innovative approach to better understand PAH

Actelion Ltd announced today that findings from the REVEAL Registry have confirmed the clinical utility of the REVEAL risk score calculator, a new tool designed to predict 1-year survival in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension according to data presented at the American Thoracic Society's Annual International Conference.

18 May 2010

Accredo Health Group selected as sole specialty pharmacy provider of Epoprostenol for Injection

Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc., today announced that it has selected Accredo Health Group, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Medco Health Solutions, Inc., to serve as the sole specialty pharmacy provider of Epoprostenol for Injection, the only epoprostenol formulated to provide up to 24-hour stability at room temperature without the use of ice packs.

22 Apr 2010

Actelion Pharmaceuticals launches Epoprostenol for Injection for treatment of primary pulmonary hypertension

Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc. today announced the commercial availability of Epoprostenol for Injection, an improved formulation of epoprostenol that is stable at room temperature, for the treatment of primary pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary hypertension associated with scleroderma spectrum of disease in NYHA Class III and Class IV patients.

22 Apr 2010

Invida to continue commercialization of Actelion's Tracleer for PAH in crucial Asian markets

Invida Group, the leading provider of healthcare brands and services to the Asia Pacific region, today announced that its contract with Swiss biotechnology company, Actelion, has been extended through 2015 to continue commercialization of Tracleer® for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in crucial markets throughout Asia. Actelion signed with Invida initially in 2005, and has extended the contract to market the company’s lead product, Tracleer, in Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and Hong Kong

26 Mar 2010

Lower dose of avosentan drug may provide more favorable results in diabetes patients

The drug avosentan substantially reduces urinary protein loss in people with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, but the drug causes serious side effects, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN).

18 Feb 2010

Phase III clinical trial evaluating darusentan misses its co-primary efficacy endpoints

Gilead Sciences, Inc. today announced that DAR-312 (DORADO-AC), a Phase III clinical trial evaluating darusentan, the company’s endothelin receptor antagonist (ERA) for the treatment of resistant hypertension, did not achieve its co-primary efficacy endpoints of change from baseline to week 14 in trough sitting systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) compared to placebo.

15 Dec 2009

Endothelin increases T cells in the kidneys leading to renal injury

A key player in a cascade that likely begins with stress and leads to high blood pressure and kidney damage has been identified by researchers who say the finding may lead to better ways to control both.

6 Nov 2009

Study of combination therapy versus monotherapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension

Gilead Sciences, Inc., in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), today announced plans for an international, event-driven (morbidity and mortality) clinical trial to study combination therapy versus monotherapy in a first-line treatment setting for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

2 Nov 2009

PSC activation mechanisms help develop novel therapeutic approaches for pancreatic fibrosis

Fibrosis is a key feature of chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. The extensive deposition of extracellular matrix proteins fosters the development of an exocrine and endocrine organ insufficiency, and accelerates progression of the tumour. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) are the principal effector cells in pancreatic fibrosis. They are activated by profibrogenic mediators, which include, for example, cytokines and ethanol metabolites.

18 Sep 2009

Phase III clinical trial results of DAR-31 published

Gilead Sciences, Inc. today announced the publication of data from DAR-311 (DORADO), a Phase III clinical trial evaluating the company’s once-daily oral endothelin receptor antagonist (ERA) darusentan as an add-on treatment for resistant hypertension, defined as the failure to achieve blood pressure goal while adhering to full doses of an appropriate three (or more) drug antihypertensive regimen that includes a diuretic.

14 Sep 2009

Researchers discover the role of endothelin in vaso-occlusive pain

Agonizing physical pain, known as vaso-occlusive pain, can afflict children who have sickle cell disease (SCD). In some cases infants as young as two months of age suffer vaso-occlusive pain so severe that opiate medications and hospitalizations are their only relief. Researchers believe vaso-occlusion is caused by a blockage of the blood vessels that occurs when sickle shaped red cells attempt to pass through the round blood vessels.

11 Sep 2009

Endothelin research update to be presented at APS' 11th International Conference

Recent research to block the effects of endothelin, a powerful substance that constricts blood vessels and stimulates cell growth, has led to successful treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension and provides hope for treating other chronic diseases.

10 Sep 2009

Actelion launches new 20 mcg/mL Ventavis formulation

Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc., today announced the first commercial sales of a new 20 microgram per milliliter (mcg/mL) formulation of Ventavis(R), for the treatment of New York Heart Association Class III and IV pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This increased strength formulation delivers the same dose of Ventavis in half the volume, which is expected to reduce inhalation time and further support patient compliance.

2 Sep 2009

Studies suggest that venous ischemia causes greater injury than arterial ischemia

The research team led by Professor Guzman-de la Garza of the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, Mexico, used a rodent model of intestinal I/R to study the different inflammatory mediators that are associated with venous, arterial or total vascular occlusion.

27 Aug 2009