ACEing the MS test

A pair of studies by German and American researchersimplicates the renin-angiotensin pathway as a key regulator of inflammation in the brain.^1,2 The studies suggest that widely used hypertension drugs that antagonize the pathway could help treat multiple sclerosis. The challenge now is to work out MS-specific dosing protocols and find trial sponsors.

The renin-angiotensin system is a hormonal signaling pathway that works in the kidneys and blood vessels to control blood volume. Components of the pathway are well-characterized cardiovascular drug targets. Nine generic small molecule inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and six angiotensin receptor blockers are on the market for hypertension and complications of myocardial infarction (MI). There is one direct renin inhibitor on the market for hypertension: Tekturna aliskiren from Novartis AG...