News

Prostacyclin analogs have substantially improved pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) treatment, but the use of these drugs is hampered by the difficulties and risks of treating patients with continuous intravenous infusions. A new overview highlighted the development of oral prostacyclins, focusing on the drug treprostinil (Orenitram). The overview was published under the…

Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) carrying mutations in the bone morphogenetic protein receptor type II (BMPR2) gene have a worse prognosis, namely decreased survival rates and higher risk for lung transplantation. The findings were in a study titled “BMPR2 mutations and survival in pulmonary arterial hypertension: an…

People newly diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are at greater risk of disease progression than PAH patients sick for more than six months, a finding that highlights the importance of early treatment, researchers reported. Their study, “Incident and prevalent cohorts with pulmonary arterial hypertension: insight from SERAPHIN“, was published in the…

Actelion Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., recently announced that the selective IP receptor agonist Uptravi (selexipag) has been granted Notice of Compliance (NOC) approval by Health Canada for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Uptravi (selexipag) was originally discovered and synthesized by Nippon Shinyaku as an oral, prostacyclin receptor agonist formulated…

A study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham showed that the immune receptor TLR4 is important for regulating the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Mice lacking the gene for TLR4 spontaneously developed PAH, indicating a protective role for the immune factor. Chronic hypoxia — low levels of oxygen —…

A case report from Texas Children’s Hospital described a 5-year-old boy with a newly identified mutation in the BMP9 gene leading to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Many PAH cases are associated with genetic mutations, most frequently in the immune-related TGF-beta signaling pathways. BMP9 – also known as GDF2 – belongs…

The phaware global association knows the soon-to-be-played Super Bowl 50 will attract plenty of fans and attention — and it’s teaming with the biggest sporting event in the U.S. (and a popular one elsewhere) to kick off its 2016 pulmonary hypertension global awareness campaign — Engage for a Cure — with the BIG GAME…

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a common condition in infants undergoing surgery for congenital heart defects, and it is a main contributor to morbidity and death following surgery. For this reason, the drug iloprost is often given these infants after surgery, as it is known to induce blood vessel relaxation and decrease…

Targeting the nitric oxide deficiency resulting from pulmonary arterial hypertension through drugs such as sildenafil is a cornerstone of PAH treatment. A new study showed that sildenafil decreased the signs of oxidative stress by reducing hydroxynonenal (HNE) in patients, but was unable to lower elevated levels of free fatty acids in the blood. The results suggested…

Clinical-stage biotherapeutics company, Bellerophon Therapeutics, Inc., recently announced that its proprietary program device, a new version of the INOpulse drug-device delivery system, has received EC certification with CE marking, meaning that it has met the European Union’s regulatory health, safety, and environmental requirements for a new medical device and can be marketed…

Work on a doctoral dissertation at Umeå University in Sweden led to the discovery of new blood biomarkers reflecting vasoreactivity in lung blood vessels of patients with heart and lung disease, which can lead to simplified diagnostics and better treatment evaluation in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). L-arginine and dimethylarginines, the…

Morphogen-IX, a new biotechnology company based in Cambridge, United Kingdom, has received financial support to potentially advance a new treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) that targets the main pathway involved in the disease. The treatment may provide the first disease-modifying drug for the condition, and is based on fifteen years of research by…