Imatinib in pulmonary arterial hypertension patients with inadequate response to established therapy.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive condition with a poor prognosis. Platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) signaling plays an important role in its pathobiology.

Objectives

To assess safety, tolerability, and efficacy of the PDGFR inhibitor imatinib in patients with PAH.

Methods

Patients with PAH in functional classes II-IV were enrolled in a 24-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. Patients received imatinib (an inhibitor of PDGFR activity) 200 mg orally once daily (or placebo), which was increased to 400 mg if the initial dose was well tolerated. The primary endpoints were safety and change from baseline in the 6-minute-walk distance (6MWD). Secondary endpoints included hemodynamics and functional class

SUBMITTER: Ghofrani HA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3001259 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature