Newswise — Savannah, Ga. (September 3, 2015)—Endothelin (ET) plays a role in many functions throughout the body, including blood vessel constriction and blood pressure regulation and in the pathology of a number of vascular and non-vascular health problems. Insights gained through the study of ET have great therapeutic potential for health and disease. As ET experts convene for the 14th International Conference on Endothelin: Physiology, Pathophysiology and Therapeutics, the translational aspect of ET research will take center stage during Symposium XI: “Endothelin Therapeutics—Where Are We?”
“A symposium addressing the therapeutic implications of endothelin research has always been a part of the endothelin conferences since their inception in 1988,” said Jennifer Pollock, PhD, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and symposium co-chair. “This symposium helps the clinicians and scientists at the meeting to hear about the innovative advancements in therapeutic targets of the ET system and new disease models where the ET system may be relevant.”
The speakers presenting the five talks in the symposium are considered thought leaders of ET research and are on the front lines of research in their respective areas. Speakers will address ET in therapeutics and drug development for common diseases such as cancer, and for other diseases that have few medication options. “Dr. Kohan's presentation on diabetic nephropathy and Dr. Tharaux's talk on sickle cell nephropathy may be particularly helpful for clinicians and researchers working in these areas. These two diseases have very few therapeutic options, if any, and ET blockers may aid in prolonging lives and increasing quality of life for the patients,” Dr. Pollock said.
The symposium will be held Saturday, September 5, from 1:30 to 3:00 PM EDT in Ballroom A of the Hyatt Regency Savannah.
Symposia XI: Endothelin Therapeutics—Where Are We?Chairs: Jennifer Pollock, PhD, University of Alabama at BirminghamJennifer Sullivan, PhD, Georgia Regents University
“Endothelin Therapeutics in Cancer—Where Are We?”Anna Bagnato, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri, Rome, Italy
“Endothelin Antagonists in Diabetic Nephropathy”Donald Kohan, University of Utah Health Sciences Center
“Endothelin Receptor Antagonism in Sickle Cell Nephropathy”Pierre-Louis Tharaux, French Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM), Paris, France
“Combined AT1 and ETA Blockade”Radko Komers, Retrophin Inc.
“Endothelin Research and Drug Recovery”Martine Clozel, Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Allschwil, Switzerland
NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: The 14th International Conference on Endothelin: Physiology, Pathophysiology and Therapeutics will be held September 2–5 in Savannah, Ga. To read the full abstract or schedule an interview with a member of the research team, please contact the APS Communications Office at [email protected] or 301-634-7209. Find more research highlights in the APS Press Room.
###
About the American Physiological SocietyPhysiology is the study of how molecules, cells, tissues and organs function in health and disease. Established in 1887, the American Physiological Society (APS) was the first U.S. society in the biomedical sciences field. The Society represents more than 11,000 members and publishes 14 peer-reviewed journals with a worldwide readership.
RSS