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Endothelin Receptor Antagonists for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Rationale and Place in Therapy

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Abstract

The last decade has seen significant advances in the understanding and treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Three main pathways, involving endothelin, nitric oxide, and prostacyclin, have been identified in its pathogenesis and these have all led to the development of therapies in current use. While the nitric oxide and prostacyclin pathways require augmentation, the endothelin system is overactive in PAH, with increased endothelin synthesis and receptor expression and, therefore, requires blockade. There are two known endothelin receptors. The type A receptor, expressed in pulmonary artery media, mediates vasoconstriction and remodeling, whereas the function of the type B receptor is more complex. Like the type A receptor, the type B receptor mediates vasoconstriction and remodeling effects when expressed on smooth muscle cells and (myo)fibroblasts, yet functions to clear endothelin from the circulation and induce release of endogenous nitric oxide and prostacyclin, when activated in the pulmonary artery endothelium. Consequently, it is not clear from in vitro data whether the optimal strategy is to block only the type A receptor or both receptors.

Phase III clinical studies show clear short-term physiologic benefit with both dual and selective endothelin blockade in PAH. Longer-term experience with bosentan, a dual receptor antagonist, has shown improved outcomes compared with historic control data and comparable survival to intravenous prostacyclin therapy. The newer selective blockers, sitaxsentan and ambrisentan, appear to have similar short-term efficacy, but long-term data are as yet either lacking or unpublished. They may be less hepatotoxic than bosentan, although long-term follow-up of patients receiving bosentan has shown this is not a significant problem. On the basis of available evidence, the endothelin receptor antagonists have become first-line therapy for patients with PAH, except in the most severely affected who still require treatment with intravenous prostacyclin. Although their use as part of combination therapy with other agents is widespread, the evidence for this is not as robust, but appropriate investigation is underway.

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Acknowledgments

No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this review. Dr Howard has received honoraria and travel grants from Actelion and Encysive. Dr Howard has also received funding for research from Actelion. Dr Price has no financial conflicts of interest to declare.

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  1. Department of Cardiac Sciences, Pulmonary Hypertension Service, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0HS, UK

    Laura C. Price &  Luke S. G. E. Howard

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  1. Laura C. Price
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  2. Luke S. G. E. Howard
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Price, L.C., Howard, L.S.G.E. Endothelin Receptor Antagonists for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Am J Cardiovasc Drugs 8, 171–185 (2008). https://doi.org/10.2165/00129784-200808030-00004

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00129784-200808030-00004

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