In a remarkable advancement for cardiovascular health, Chinese researchers have successfully developed a groundbreaking treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This innovation marks a significant milestone in addressing a condition that has challenged the global medical community since the 1950s.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetic heart disorder characterized by the thickening of the heart muscle, which can lead to severe complications such as heart failure, arrhythmia, and even sudden cardiac death, particularly in young adults and adolescents. Despite being a leading cause of fatal cardiac events in individuals under 35, specific drug treatments have been scarce, with existing medications only managing symptoms rather than targeting the root cause.
Professor Xie Xiaojie from the Department of Cardiology at Zhejiang University highlights the urgent need for effective treatments. \"Young patients often face more severe symptoms and a higher risk of sudden cardiac death. The lack of targeted therapies has been a critical unmet need in the field,\" Xie explained.
The turning point came this year with the approval of Mavaket capsules by the State Food and Drug Administration in China. Mavaket is the world's first selective cardiac myosin allosteric inhibitor, offering a novel approach to treating obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HOCM). This innovative drug functions similarly to targeted cancer therapies by selectively decreasing the ATPase activity of the cardiac myosin heavy chain. This action reduces excessive myosin-actin cross-bridge formation, shifts the myosin group to an energy-conserving state, inhibits excessive myocardial contraction, and enhances diastolic compliance and energy metabolism.
This breakthrough not only provides fresh hope for adult patients in China battling HOCM but also sets a precedent on the global stage. Mavaket has been incorporated into several leading clinical guidelines, including the \"Chinese Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Guidelines 2022\", \"2023 Guideline for Diagnosis and Treatment for Chinese Adult Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy\", \"2023 ESC Guidelines for the Management of Cardiomyopathies\", and the \"2024 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Management of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy\". These endorsements solidify Mavaket's position as a preferred treatment option, promising to transform the landscape of HCM management and improve the quality of life for countless patients worldwide.
Reference(s):
China makes breakthrough in treating hypertrophic heart disease
cgtn.com
