Often, inhaled corticosteroids, muscarinic receptor antagonists and b2-adrenoceptor-selective agonists are the agents of treatment for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Yet, many patients with severe asthma or COPD show steroid insensitivity or resistance. Nintedanib and pirfenidone are two new drugs approved by the FDA for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Despite their efficacy in retarding disease progression, they do not alter the long-term mortality rate.
They are also associated with side-effects such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. The current treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) primarily targets the endothelin receptors, nitric oxide pathway, and prostacyclin receptors. Given the complex pathogenesis of PAH, more combinational therapies are needed, where targeting the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may provide an alternative therapy…
