In a phase II (safety an_d efficacy) study sponsored by the developer, European researchers ran_domized 72 patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension to one of two doses of vaccine (100 or 300 μg) or to placebo. The vaccine consists of virus-lik_e particles linked to angiotensin II injections were given at weeks 0, 4, an_d 12.

By week 14, about 20% of vaccine recipients had experienced transient flu-lik_e symptoms, an_d all had antibodies against angiotensin II. Those who received the 300-μg regimen had significant dro_ps in mean BP compared with placebo recipients, especially early in the morning (–25 mm Hg systolic, –13 mm Hg diastolic).

Commentators wonder about the hazards of a treatment whose effects are not immediately reversible (the antibodys half-life after the third injection was 17 weeks). However, they find the exploratory trial "promising