An injection to control hypertension could be available within five to 10 years, Swiss scientists have claimed.
Preliminary findings indicate that an antibody vaccine, that binds to angiotensin II so it is unable to activate angiotensin receptors, has efficacy and is tolerable. It is the first vaccine shown to reduce BP, according to the researchers.
The study included 72 people with mild-to-moderate hypertension who were injected with 100(mu)g or 300(mu)g of the vaccine CYT006-AngQb, or placebo.
Injections of the vaccine developed by company Cytos Biotechnology in Zurich were given at baseline, and at four and 12 weeks later.
Patients given the vaccine showed a strong response against angiotensin II, especially when given the stronger dose, researchers told delegates at the American Heart Association scientific sessions in Orlando, Florida.
Evaluation of 24-hour BP at 14 weeks showed those given 300(mu)g of vaccine had a 5.6mmHg reduction in systolic BP and a 2.8mmHg reduction in diastolic BP.
These effects were more pronounced between 5am and 8am, when hypertensive patients are at most risk of MI, said lead researcher Professor Juerg Nussberger, from the University Hospital of the Canton of Vaud in Lausanne, Switzerland.
AHA scientific sessions 4-7 November 2007, Orlando, Florida
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