New Therapy Shows Promise for Systolic Hypertension

In a phase II trial of 93 patients with systolic hypertension, a new treatment over an eight-week period resulted in a statistically significant reduction in pulse pressure as well as a statistically significant increase in large artery compliance. The treatment was well tolerated by patients.

The cross-linking of advanced glycosylation end-products (AGEs) contributes to the stiffening of blood vessels and a resulting rise in systolic blood pressure, as does aging. A new compound is designed to inhibit the process by which AGEs are formed or to actually break AGE crosslinks, thereby reversing tissue stiffening and restoring elasticity. Called ALT-711, the compound was developed by Alteon Inc. (Ramsey, NJ, USA).

According to the American Heart Association, systolic hypertension is the most common form of hypertension in people over 50 and the type least likely to be well treated. Doctors appear to be often reluctant to treat systolic hypertension aggressively for fear of doing harm, in spite of the fact that it is an important determinant of cardiovascular risk. There are currently no available therapies that directly target this condition, says Alteon.




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