News

New Gene Mutation Linked to Familial PAH and May Explain Why Disease Strikes Selectively

Researchers found a new mutation in a gene — called eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α kinase 4 (EIF2AK4)  — in members of a family with hereditary pulmonary arterial hypertension (HPAH). This mutation represents a potential “second hit” that increases the likelihood of certain family members developing the disease. The study, “…

Actelion Reports Its PAH Treatment, Macitentan, Aiding CTEPH Patients in Phase 2 Study

Actelion announced that a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating its pulmonary hypertension treatment, macitentan, in patients with inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) has met its primary endpoint. At week 16, treatment resulted in a significant reduction in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) compared to placebo. MERIT is a 24-week, randomized and…

Interim Results Published of Clinical Trial Showing Benefits of Inhaled Nitrate to Treat PH

Mast Therapeutics announced that positive interim data from its ongoing Phase 2a clinical trial of AIR001 (sodium nitrite, or Aironite) inhalation solution for the treatment of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) have been published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation (JCI). The open label, Phase 2a clinical trial (NCT01431313) is evaluating…

Opsumit Seen Help Improve Quality of Life for PAH Patients in Study

Results from a Phase 3 study showed that treating pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients with oral Opsumit (macitentan) improved both their physical and mental health, positively impacting their quality of life (QoL). PAH is a progressive disease characterized by the difficulty to breathe and recurrent fatigue.  Several studies have shown that PAH affects a person’s mental…

Ventavis and Nitric Oxide Both Seen to Treat Hypertension in CTEPH Patients After Surgery

Inhalation treatment that uses either nitric oxide or Ventavis (iloprost) is equally effective in managing lingering high lung blood pressure after surgery for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). A comparison of the two treatments — published in the journal General Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery under the title, “A prospective, randomized study…

Faster Administration of Remodulin May Help to Ease Infusion Site Pain in PAH Patients, Study Says

Although subcutaneous infusion of Remodulin (treprostinil) is an effective treatment for patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), it can have undesired effects such as pain at the infusion site. But a study reports that speeding up Remodulin administration, and combining it with injection-site pain management, is an easily tolerated option that may help patients better…

Investigative Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Fails to Meet Top Goal in Phase 2 Study

Gilead Sciences reported that selonsertib (also known as GS-4997), an investigational treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), did not achieve the primary endpoint in an analysis of ARROW, a Phase 2 clinical trial (NCT02234141) evaluating the drug’s efficacy, safety and tolerability. The company also reported top-line data from two other…