Pulmonary embolism is a disease that primarily affects young people, particularly women, with the peak incidence occurring between the ages of 30-40. However, it can also occur at later ages. Patients with pulmonary embolism are categorized based on function levels and risk levels, ranging from 1 (highest function) to 4 (lowest function).
For a decade, there were no advancements in the treatment of pulmonary embolism, with existing treatments mainly focused on alleviating symptoms. This has now changed with the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approving a groundbreaking drug called sotatracept. Sotatracept is the first of its kind to treat the disease itself, rather than just symptoms.
Sotatracept works by inhibiting a unique component called “activin,” which changes the mechanism of the cells that drive the disease. This approval marks a significant improvement for patients with pulmonary hypertension, offering better survival rates, delaying disease progression, and reducing the risk of worsening events or death by approximately 84%.
According to Prof. Mordechai Kramer, director of the pulmonary department at Blinson Hospital, pulmonary hypertension is a serious and life-threatening disease. The Ministry of Health usually approves drugs that have been approved by the FDA after reviewing research findings submitted by companies. With this approval, sotatracept provides new hope for patients who have not responded well to existing treatments.