A new clinical trial has shown that a twice-yearly injection of an experimental drug can significantly lower blood pressure in people whose condition isn’t well controlled by standard medication. The study, led by researchers at Queen Mary University of London, was published today in JAMA and could pave the way for a major shift in how hypertension is treated.
The international trial, called KARDIA-2, involved 663 participants who were already taking medication for high blood pressure but still had poor control of their condition.
These participants received an additional treatment: a drug called zilebesiran, administered through a single injection under the skin every six months. Researchers found that combining zilebesiran with standard blood pressure medication was more effective than using standard medication alone.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects around one in three adults in the UK and many more worldwide. If left untreated, it can significantly increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and even death. Despite the availability of daily oral medications, many people struggle to keep their blood pressure in check due to missed doses or side effects.
Dr. Manish Saxena, a hypertension specialist at Barts Health NHS Trust and Clinical Co-Director of the William Harvey Clinical Research Center at Queen Mary University of London, led the UK arm of the study and is a senior author on the published results. He emphasized the potential impact of the treatment, saying, “Hypertension is a global health concern as blood pressure control rates remain poor.
This study demonstrates the efficacy and safety of zilebesiran when added to commonly used first-line blood pressure-lowering drugs. The novelty of this treatment is its long duration; giving just one injection every six months could help millions of patients better manage their condition.”
Zilebesiran works in a completely different way from traditional blood pressure drugs. It uses RNA interference technology, which silences a specific gene involved in the production of a protein called angiotensinogen in the liver.
This protein plays a key role in the body’s system for regulating blood pressure. By reducing its production, zilebesiran allows blood vessels to relax more easily, leading to lower blood pressure.
The long-lasting effect of a single injection could be a game-changer, especially for patients who find it difficult to stick to daily medication routines. The simplicity of just two injections a year may also help healthcare providers monitor and manage the condition more efficiently.
The success of KARDIA-2 is just one step in the development process. The next phase, KARDIA-3, will test whether zilebesiran can help people who already have cardiovascular disease or who are at high risk for heart problems.
A larger global outcomes study is also planned for later this year. That trial will assess whether zilebesiran can actually reduce the number of heart attacks, strokes, and deaths from cardiovascular disease.
In summary, zilebesiran shows great promise as a long-acting treatment for high blood pressure. If future trials confirm its safety and effectiveness, this twice-a-year injection could offer a more convenient, reliable, and potentially life-saving option for millions of people around the world.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about How to eat your way to healthy blood pressure and results showing that Modified traditional Chinese cuisine can lower blood pressure.
The study is published in JAMA.
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