Endothelin as a Treatment Target in Cardiovascular Diseases: A Recent Step Forward.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Pharmacology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a primary cause of death and significantly impact quality of life.
• Existing treatments like SGLT2 and PCSK9 inhibitors are effective but do not fully prevent complications.
• CVDs are intertwined with metabolic and inflammatory conditions, creating complex pathophysiological networks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review the role of endothelin-1 as a therapeutic target in cardiovascular diseases.
• To discuss the potential of endothelin-1 inhibitors in managing CVDs and associated disorders.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of endothelin-1's role in cardiovascular pathophysiology.
• Analysis of current and emerging therapeutic strategies targeting endothelin-1.
• Examination of aprocitentan's approval for hypertension and endothelin inhibitors in pulmonary hypertension.

Main Results:

• Endothelin-1 is implicated in the complex pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases.
• Endothelin inhibition is a validated strategy in pulmonary hypertension and shows promise for other CVDs.
• Aprocitentan represents a recent advancement in endothelin-1 targeted therapy for hypertension.

Conclusions:

• Endothelin-1 represents a significant and promising therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases.
• Further research into endothelin-1 inhibitors may lead to novel treatment combinations for CVDs.
• Targeting endothelin-1 could help mitigate the harmful effects of CVDs and related metabolic disorders.