title: The path to an angiotensin receptor antagonist-neprilysin inhibitor in the treatment of heart failure.
abstract: The PARADIGM-HF (Prospective comparison of ARNi with ACEi to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and Morbidity in Heart Failure) trial demonstrated that a new angiotensin receptor antagonist-neprilysin inhibitor was superior to an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor in reducing mortality in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. This paper traces the research path that culminated in the development of this drug. The first phase, elucidation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, began with Tigerstedt's discovery of renin, followed by isolation of angiotensin, isolation of angiotensin-converting enzyme, and synthesis of its inhibitors and of angiotensin receptor blockers. Phase 2 began with de Bold's discovery of atrial natriuretic peptide, followed by isolation of the enzyme that degrades it (neprilysin) and its inhibitors. Phase 3 consists of blocking both the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone and atrial natriuretic peptide-degrading systems simultaneously. A molecular complex, LCZ696, developed by scientists at Novartis, combines an angiotensin receptor blocker with a neprilysin inhibitor, is well tolerated, and represents an important step in the management of heart failure and reduced ejection fraction.
authors.affiliation: TIMI Study Group, Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and the Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Electronic address: ebraunwald@partners.org.
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Braunwald
mesh_terms: D000613:Aminobutyrates / Q000266:history / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists / Q000266:history / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D004338:Drug Combinations; D015195:Drug Design; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D015260:Neprilysin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D010827:Physiology / Q000266:history; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000502:physiology; D012107:Research Design; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000266:history / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068756:Valsartan
chemical_list: D000613:Aminobutyrates; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D004338:Drug Combinations; D013777:Tetrazoles; D000068756:Valsartan; D015260:Neprilysin; C549068:sacubitril and valsartan sodium hydrate drug combination
keywords: hypertension; natriuretic peptide; renin