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Receptors in cardiovascular disease: review and introduction
A Leonardi1, G Sironi, G Motta
1Pharmaceutical R&D Department, Recordati, Milan, Italy. leonardi.a@recordati.it
Insights
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of premature death. This review examines current and future receptor-targeting drugs for CVD, including beta-blockers and angiotensin II antagonists, offering insights into novel therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounts for approximately 50% of premature deaths in industrialized nations.
- CVD mortality exceeds that of cancer, AIDS, and accidents combined.
- Effective therapeutic strategies are crucial for reducing CVD burden.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current and potential future drugs for cardiovascular disease (CVD) that target specific receptors.
- To highlight established therapies and emerging investigational approaches.
- To provide an overview of receptorology's role in CVD treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of pharmacological agents targeting cardiovascular receptors.
- Analysis of established drug classes, including catecholamine receptor ligands (beta-blockers) and angiotensin II antagonists.
- Discussion of investigational drugs targeting glycoprotein GPIIb/IIIa, endothelin, adenosine, and neuropeptide Y receptors.
Main Results:
- Established therapies include beta-blockers and angiotensin II antagonists, which target specific receptors.
- Investigational approaches involve novel receptor ligands with potential for future CVD treatment.
- Receptor-based therapies are a significant, but not exclusive, component of CVD management.
Conclusions:
- Receptorology plays a vital role in the pharmacological treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- Established drugs like beta-blockers and angiotensin II antagonists are cornerstones of therapy.
- Emerging research in receptor ligands and other mechanisms promises innovative future treatments for CVD.
Abstract:
Despite recent encouraging declines, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is still responsible for about 50% of premature death in the Western industrialized countries, greater than cancer, AIDS and accidents, combined. Different aspects of the disease have been considered and the main currently available and possible future drugs whose effect is based on interaction with a receptor have been reviewed. Catecholamines receptors ligands, mainly beta-blockers, and the new angiotensin II antagonists represent the most important classes among the established therapies. Investigational approaches such as the oral glycoprotein GPIIb/IIIa antagonists and endothelin, adenosine and neuropeptide Y receptors ligands are discussed. Receptorology represents just a part of the therapeutical approach to CVD, where other classes of drugs with enzyme or ionic channel based mechanisms are largely used and innovative therapies based on the most advanced research techniques could early become reality.