US Pharm. 2008;33(4):9.

A vaccine being developed in Switzerland and currently in an industry-sponsored phase II trial appears to effectively block angiotensin II, a known cause of hypertension. According to lead investigator Martin Bachmann, PhD, of Cytos Biotechnology AG, the vaccine reduced blood pressure without any serious adverse events. The trial results were published in The Lancet.

The 300-mcg dose of the vaccine, known as CYT006-AngQb, reduced ambulatory pressure at week 14 of the trial. According to Dr. Bachmann, one of the roadblocks to reducing blood pressure with oral angiotensin II inhibitors was compliance. The vaccine is based on a virus-like particle and is given subcutaneously. The vaccine's effects have a half-life of about four months, which would be compatible with a treatment regimen of a few injections a year. The researchers caution that a larger trial is needed to better study the vaccine's safety.

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