Journal Article

Zilebesiran as an Innovative siRNA-Based Therapeutic Approach for Hypertension: Emerging Perspectives in Cardiovascular Medicine

Morosan, Petruta A., Filip, Cristiana, Buzduga, Catalin M., Carauleanu, Alexandru, Cucu, Andrei I., Tudosa, Razvan I., Popa, Radu, Patrascanu, Emilia, Haisan, Anca, Costea, Claudia F., Covali, Roxana, Bobu, Amelian M.

2025

Overview

Zilebesiran represents an innovative antihypertensive therapy employing small interfering RNA (siRNA) to inhibit hepatic angiotensinogen, a key regulator of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system. By directly targeting the source of angiotensin II production, zilebesiran offers a novel mechanism distinct from conventional antihypertensive treatments. In the clinical studies KARDIA-1 and KARDIA-2, zilebesiran demonstrated clinically significant reductions in systolic blood pressure, with effects lasting up to 24 weeks after a single subcutaneous injection. In KARDIA-1, doses of 300 mg and 600 mg administered every 6 months resulted in reductions of over 15 mmHg in systolic blood pressure at 3 months compared with placebo. KARDIA-2 further showed an additional reduction of up to 12.1 mmHg at 3 months when zilebesiran was used as an adjunct to standard antihypertensive therapy. KARDIA-3 is currently evaluating the therapy in a larger global population to assess its impact on major cardiovascular outcomes. Zilebesiran has demonstrated a favorable safety profile with minimal adverse events, offering potential advantages for patients with resistant or uncontrolled hypertension and those at high cardiovascular risk, especially where adherence to daily oral medications is challenging. Beyond blood pressure reduction, zilebesiran may protect target organs, including the heart, kidneys, and retina. In conclusion, zilebesiran represents a promising siRNA-based therapy that may redefine the management of difficult-to-control hypertension, offering durable, targeted, and patient-friendly treatment with broad cardiovascular benefits. Future studies will clarify its long-term safety, efficacy across diverse populations, and integration into personalized hypertension management strategies.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
• Subject: ACE inhibitors / Aldosterone / Angiotensinogen - antagonists & inhibitors / Angiotensinogen - genetics / Angiotensinogen - metabolism / Animals / Antihypertensive Agents - pharmacology / Antihypertensive Agents - therapeutic use / Antihypertensive drugs / Antihypertensives / Asymptomatic / Blood pressure / Blood Pressure - drug effects / Cardiology / Cardiovascular disease / Comparative analysis / Corticosteroids / Diuretics / Drug therapy / Enzymes / Gene expression / Health aspects / Health care access / Humans / Hypertension / Hypertension - drug therapy / Hypertension - genetics / Hypertension - therapy / Medical research / Medicine, Experimental / Mortality / Patient compliance / Pharmacists / Renin-Angiotensin System - drug effects / Review / RNA, Small Interfering - genetics / RNA, Small Interfering - therapeutic use / Strategic planning (Business) / Trends