Effect of a proposed Cav1.3 inhibitor in PA (v1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Effect of a proposed Cav1.3 inhibitor in primary aldosteronism – a pilot study
IRAS ID
319634
Contact name
Morris Brown
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen Mary University of London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
-, -
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 0 days
Research summary
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a “silent killer” as it often does not cause symptoms but it leads to heart attacks and strokes. Up to 14% of people with hypertension have primary aldosteronism (PA), a condition that causes hypertension due to a hormone called aldosterone. This hormone comes from one or both adrenal glands. If PA is due to one adrenal gland, surgery to remove the gland can cure PA. If it is from both glands, specific drugs can be used to block aldosterone.
There are some genetic changes in PA that can cause different physical features. One such mutation called CACNA1D can cause PA that appears to be coming from just one gland, but does not respond completely to surgery. This might be because CACNA1D causes PA that is actually affecting both adrenal glands but in an asymmetrical way.The problem with the CACNA1D mutation affects a calcium channel called Cav1.3. There is a medication called Cinnarizine that is already in use for vertigo and nausea. This medication has a structure that looks suitable to block the Cav1.3 channel. Calcium channel blockers are already in use for PA. We aim to evaluate the change in aldosteorne levels in people with PA treated with cinnarizine (proposed Cav1.3 inhibitor) and nifedipine (Cav1.2 inhibitor). This will allow us to evaluate whether the effect of calcium channel blockade on plasma aldosterone levels in people with PA is due primarily to Cav1.3 blockade.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/SC/0080
Date of REC Opinion
27 Mar 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion