Media coverage this week focuses on the results of a phase II study suggesting that vaccination could be a future strategy for controlling blood pressure. Although conventional drug therapies are effective - such as the use of ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, and diuretics - compliance to frequent oral therapies is a problem. The phase II vaccination study by Swiss investigators developed a vaccine which inhibits angiotensin II (therefore potentially reducing blood pressure among individuals with hypertension) shows encouraging results. Although the main aim of the phase II study was safety and tolerability, the authors report significant reductions in blood pressure for two arms of the trial where patients received two variants of the vaccine.

Swedish authors of a Comment conclude: ‘The results of this new biotherapy for hypertension are intriguing and promising, and vaccination for hypertension may turn out to be very useful in many patients.’

We await phase III results with great interest.

Also in research, French investigators report results of the EPIPAGE study. This looks at the effect of very preterm delivery (before 33 weeks gestation) on motor and cognitive performance at age 5 years. Unsurprisingly, children born after the shortest gestation - around 24-28 weeks -were most likely to have the greatest risk of motor and cognitive impairment, and disability, at age 5 years. The results are important as improved neonatal care means an increasing proportion of babies born very preterm live to childhood and beyond. The results also have implications for healthcare and rehabilitation services.

Floods hamper health-care delivery in southern Africa;

Floods have been ravaging Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi after months of heavy rainfall hit southern Africa. Flooding is causing outbreaks of infectious diseases, and, in some areas, is preventing access to crucial health services. Do read Joseph J Schatz’s World Report from Lusaka.

Research from Mexico shows how cash payments to encourage attendance at clinics are effective in improving health and development among children in the poorest parts of the community.

And the forthcoming G8 summit in Japan represents a vital opportunity for the world’s richest nations to drive forward action on health systems, according to a Viewpoint in this week’s issue.

Finally, look out for a comprehensive Seminar this week on liver cirrhosis

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This entry was posted on Monday, March 10th, 2008 at 12:52 pm and is filed under The Lancet Digest. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can trackback from your own site.