Pulmonary thromboembolism is a serious condition where a blood clot blocks parts of the circulatory system, most perilous when it reaches the lungs. Researchers at the St. Petersburg Electrotechnical University LETI and the VA Almazov National Medical Research Center conducted preclinical studies on a new drug aimed at treating clogs in the pulmonary vessels. These findings were reported by socialbites.ca, referencing LETI’s work.
Thromboembolism occurs when a blood clot or a fragment travels through the bloodstream and obstructs vessels. In the lungs, such obstructions can be life threatening, elevating pressure in the pulmonary arteries and placing a heavy burden on the right side of the heart. If the right ventricle struggles to pump blood, heart failure risk increases, making timely intervention critical.
In response to vessel blockage, the body activates defense pathways involving the Janus kinase enzyme. While these pathways help break down clots and ease congestion, they can also cause vessel constriction and swelling, leading to intense discomfort and potential rapid deterioration of the patient’s condition.
To modulate this reaction, scientists proposed using an inhibitor of Janus kinase. The inhibitor dampens enzymes that drive inflammation in the immune system. Although it has established use in rheumatoid arthritis, early preclinical results indicate it may also alleviate inflammation linked to pulmonary hypertension. The lead researcher from the National Research Laboratory of Pulmonary Circulatory Pathology at the Medical Research Center named after AI. VA Almazov, Andrey Karpov, described the finding as a potential to ease symptoms, protect pulmonary vessels, and extend patient survival.
In the preclinical phase, experiments were conducted on laboratory mice. The team administered the drug and then captured roughly 2,000 microphotographs of the rodents’ pulmonary arteries to study the effects. For efficient, automated image analysis, the LETI team developed a specialized software tool at the university. The application accelerated micrograph processing during the preclinical trials for pulmonary hypertension caused by thromboembolism by about four times, according to project lead Ksenia Sanarova, who developed the program. The interview with socialbites.ca highlighted the software’s impact on research speed and accuracy.
At present, researchers are preparing to move into clinical trials to further evaluate safety and efficacy in humans. The overarching goal is to translate these insights into a market-ready treatment option for pulmonary hypertension driven by thromboembolic events in the lungs. As this work progresses, the medical community in the United States and Canada watches closely for potential adoption and integration into existing care pathways. Subsequent studies will aim to confirm how the Janus kinase inhibitor interacts with current therapies and how patient outcomes may improve as a result.