New Data Show Olmesartan, An Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB) Has Significant Anti-atherosclerotic And Vascular Protective

Main Category: Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Also Included In: Hypertension
Article Date: 06 Sep 2007 - 3:00 PDT

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Vascular protection data presented at the European Society of Cardiology's (ESC) 2007 Annual Congress in Vienna have shown that Daiichi-Sankyo's angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB), olmesartan, can prevent and reverse atherosclerotic processes including: oxidative stress,1 endothelial inflammation,2 remodelling of cardiac vascular tissues,3,4 development of atherosclerotic lesions5 and reduction of large plaques.6,7 These additional vascular protective effects appear to be independent of olmesartan's blood-pressure-reducing function.6,7

The Multicentre Olmesartan Atherosclerosis Regression Evaluation (MORE) study6,7 sought to clarify whether two-year treatment with olmesartan could reverse atherosclerotic plaque progression, and used the beta-blocker, atenolol, as a direct comparator. Preliminary findings look set to show:

-- in patients with larger plaque volumes olmesartan can significantly reduce plaque volume compared to atenolol
-- olmesartan's regressive effects could be evident from week 28 onwards
-- blood pressure reductions are similar in both groups

Olmesartan's vascular protective effects have also been assessed in a series of previous clinical studies including EUropean Trial on Olmesartan and Pravastatin in Inflammation and Atherosclerosis (EUTOPIA) study8 and Vascular Improvement with Olmesartan Medoxomil Study (VIOS).4

EUTOPIA showed that olmesartan produced significantly greater reductions in inflammatory atherosclerosis markers after 6 weeks compared with placebo.8 VIOS showed that olmesartan can reverse the hypertension-associated changes in small vascular structure compared with atenolol. After one year of treatment, olmesartan reduced the wall:lumen ratio of small resistance arteries from baseline (14.9%) to a value (11.1%) similar to that seen in a group of normotensive control patients (11.0%).4

Professor Enrico Agabiti-Rosei, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy, and one of the MORE study lead investigators said: "The olmesartan portfolio of vascular protective studies including EUTOPIA and VIOS show that in patients with hypertension, olmesartan is not only highly effective in reducing blood pressure but it appears also to possess additional cardiovascular protection. The MORE study shows that olmesartan is the first ARB to significantly reduce large atherosclerotic plaque volume. In light of published data and preliminary MORE study findings, olmesartan's additional vascular protective benefits should be considered seriously when prescribing an anti-hypertensive agent in patients with vascular damage."

About CVD

Annually, nearly 50 per cent of all deaths in Europe are due to cardiovascular disease (CVD).9 Atherosclerosis, or the formation of plaques, is a clear risk factor of CVD and it is believed that atherosclerosis and thrombosis leading to blockage of cardiac and cerebral arteries are the main causes of cardiovascular events.10

About Olmesartan

Olmesartan medoxomil, Olmetec, is an orally active, selective angiotensin II receptor (type AT1) antagonist, which is one of a class of agents known more commonly as angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs). Olmetec is indicated for the treatment of essential hypertension (hypertension with no readily identifiable cause).11 In clinical trials, Olmetec showed a placebo like side-effect profile. Clinical indications for Olmetec may vary from one country to another.

About Daiichi-Sankyo

Through the merger of two major pharmaceutical companies with Japanese origin, completed in April 2007, Daiichi-Sankyo has strengthened its position as the number one pharmaceutical company by sales in Japan and as one of the 20 leading global pharmaceutical concerns.12 On the way to become a "Global Pharma Innovator", the business strategy is to focus on the company's research activities to develop and commercialise innovative first and/or best in class products.

The current Daiichi-Sankyo product range is focused on the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

Daiichi-Sankyo facts

Number one pharmaceutical company by sales in the Japanese market. First company to develop a statin for hyperlipidaemia. First company to develop a glitazone for diabetes. 6,4 billion of worldwide net sales. 17 % global net sales invested in R&D. One of the 20 leading global pharmaceutical companies. 15,400 employees around the world. 1,800 employees in Europe.

http://www.daiichi-sankyo.eu

References

1. Tsuda M, Iwai M et al. Inhibitory effects of AT1 receptor blocker, olmesartan, and estrogen on atherosclerosis via anti-oxidative stress. Hypertension. 2005;45(4):545-51. Epub 2005 Feb 21

2. Takai S, Kim S et al. Mechanisms of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker for anti-atherosclerotic effect in monkeys fed a high-cholesterol diet. J Hypertens. 2003;21(2):361-9

3. Min LJ, Mogi M et al. Aldosterone and angiotensin II synergistically induce mitogenic response in vascular smooth muscle cells. Circ Res. 2005;97(5):434-42.Epub 2005 Aug 4

4. Smith RD, Yokoyama H et al. The protective effects of angiotensin II blockade with olmesartan medoxomil on resistance vessel remodelling (VIOS study): rationale and baseline characteristics. Am J Cardiovasc Drugs. 2006;6(5):335-42

5. Kato M, Sada T et al. Severity of hyperlipidemia does not affect antiatherosclerotic effect of an angiotensin II receptor antagonist in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2006;47(6):764-9

6. Agabiti-Rosei E. Proving effects beyond blood pressure lowering on vascular protection. Satellite symposium presentation held during the ESC Congress 1-5 Sept 2007

7. Stumpe KO. J Hypertens 2006; 24(Suppl.6): 414

8. Fliser D, Buchholz K et al. Antiinflammatory effects of angiotensin II subtype 1 receptor blockade in hypertensive patients with microinflammation. Circulation 2004;110(9):1103-7.Epub 2004 Aug 16

9. European Heart Network. CVD Statistics. Statistical data about cardiovascular disease in Europe. Available at http://www.ehnheart.org/content/sectionintro.asp?level0=1457. Accessed August 2007

10. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Diseases and Conditions: Atherosclerosis. Available here. Accessed on 22 August 2007

11. Olmetec film-coated tablets SPC. Last updated 14 November 2006. Available here.Accessed August 2007

12. IMS Midas 2006

http://www.daiichi-sankyo.eu