New data on GPIIb/IIIa receptor antagonist use in unstable angina

Abstract

The results of the PURSUIT ^* study of the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIa/IIIb) receptor antagonist intrifiban ^** [eptifibatide, ‘Integrilin’] in unstable angina pectoris suggest that approval for the drug in this indication may not be far away. PURSUIT is the largest ever trial to be conducted in patients with unstable angina and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI), with nearly 11 000 patients involved. The results show that treatment with intrifiban led to a significant reduction in death and repeat MI, compared with placebo. These results contrast with those of the earlier IMPACT-II ^† trial, which did not show any significant between-group difference in the primary endpoint, possibly because of the higher dose of intrifiban used in PURSUIT. Data from the trial were presented at the 19th Congress of the European Society of Cardiology [ Stockholm, Sweden; August 1997 ], along with additional information on optimal dosing from the PRIDE ^†† study.