Boniface S, Reynaud-Gaubert M. Endothelin receptor antagonists -- their role in pulmonary medicine.
Rev Mal Respir 2011;
28:e94-e107. [PMID:
22099418 DOI:
10.1016/j.rmr.2009.07.001]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2009] [Accepted: 07/02/2009] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Understanding of the function of endothelin-1 in the pathophysiology of endothelial disease, in particular pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), has paved the way for the development of endothelin-receptor antagonists (ERAs) and explains the leading role they now play in the treatment armamentarium for this disease.
BACKGROUND
Three active ERA drugs (bosentan, sitaxentan, ambrisentan) are currently approved for the treatment of PAH in France. Several randomised clinical trials have demonstrated their efficacy and safety in PAH.
PERSPECTIVES AND CONCLUSION
Besides its vasoconstrictor effect, endothelin-1 (ET-1) plays a pivotal role in cell proliferation and apoptosis. ERAs are innovative drugs potentially useful in some pulmonary disorders such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or systemic sclerosis, even though the preliminary results published remain insufficient or controversial.
CONCLUSION
ERAs play a major role in the management of pulmonary vascular disease. Other drugs, still under study, could prove useful in the treatment of infiltrating pneumonias.
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