Treatment options


Treatment options


How to treat PAH

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare and severe disease that continues to progress over time.[1] Although there is no cure, recent advances in treatment strategies with increased therapeutic options have offered an improvement in prognosis and survival.[2][3]

PAH-specific therapies have been developed to target one of three major pathways known to be involved in the development of PAH. Combination therapy (using two or more classes of drugs together) is an option in the management of PAH to simultaneously target multiple pathways involved in the disease pathogenesis. Evidence to support combination therapy is growing.[4][5]. The 2022 European Society of Cardiology and European Respiratory Society (ESC/ERS) guidelines recommend initial combination therapy for PAH or double or triple sequential combination therapy in cases of inadequate clinical results or in cases of deterioration.[4]

Three pathogenic signalling pathways are targeted in the treatment of PAH[5]
Three pathogenic signalling pathways are targeted in the treatment of PAH

Adapted from Humbert et al. 2014[5]

cAMP, cyclic adenosine monophosphate; cGMP, cyclic guanosine monophosphate; ERA, endothelin receptor antagonist; ET, endothelin; GMP, guanosine monophosphate; GTP, guanosine triphosphate: IP, prostacyclin; NO, nitric oxide; PAH, pulmonary arterial hypertension; PDE-5, phosphodiesterase type 5; PGl2, prostacyclin; sGC, soluble guanylate cyclase

Endothelin pathway

The endothelin-1 expression level is upregulated in patients with PAH, causing potent vasoconstriction and smooth muscle cell proliferation. Endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs) act by blocking the binding of endothelin to its receptors to prevent this process.[6]

Nitric oxide pathway

Phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors and guanylate cyclase stimulators act on the nitric oxide pathway to promote vasodilation and have antiproliferative effects on vascular smooth muscle cells.[4]

Prostacyclin pathway

Prostacyclin induces potent vasodilation and inhibition of platelet aggregation and has both cytoprotective and antiproliferative effects. Prostacyclin receptor agonists and prostacyclin analogues act by helping to correct the deficiency in endogenous prostacyclin seen in patients with PAH.[4]

Importance of performing risk assessment

Upon diagnosis, patients are assessed for risk of disease progression. Guidelines recommend regular multiparameter risk assessment, both at diagnosis and follow-up (every 3–6 months) to allow the treatment strategy to be tailored to the individual patient at the earliest opportunity.[4] The risk status of patients can be categorised as either low, intermediate or high. This corresponds to an estimated 1-year mortality of <5%, 5–20% or >20% respectively and is based on a number of determinants including WHO functional class, exercise capacity and haemodynamic parameters. There is no single variable that can provide sufficient prognostic information on its own; a multidimensional approach is required.[4]

Importance of performing risk assessment

Adapted from Humbert 2022

Continue reading

Our therapies

Read more about Janssen's molecules for managing PAH.

Resources

Get access to diagnostic tools and educational aids to help you identify, assess and manage your PAH patients.

We're here to help.

Would you like to know more about the screening and management of pulmonary arterial hypertension? Book an appointment with a Janssen product specialist by clicking the button below.

We're here to help.
Contact us, we're happy to help

Do you have a question for us or did you not find what you were looking for? Let us know and one of our Janssen's specialists will contact you as soon as possible.

Discover our products

Discover here the Janssen's portfolio and product SmPC's.

Look at 3D clinical images

On this page you will find interactive 3D animations of the human anatomy and various syndromes. This allows you to zoom in on the anatomy, tissue structures, disease mechanisms and the course of the disease.

CP-403722 - August 2023