Erik Nelson, PhD, Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Basic Science Chair for ENDO 2026, highlighted research involving cholesterol regulation and the evolution of GLP-1/GIP agonist therapies for diabetes and obesity. He also discussed their reported cardiovascular benefits and other areas of ongoing investigation. Micah Eimer, MD, General Cardiologist at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, presented a study examining hypotension among patients who initiated GLP-1–based therapy while taking antihypertensive medications. His observations highlight the importance of monitoring low blood pressure, falls, and fainting in this clinical setting.

Dr. Luke Laughlin (Preventive Cardiologist, Cleveland Clinic) presented the Cardinal trial at ACC 2026, where Tonlamarsen, an investigational antisense oligonucleotide, reduced angiotensinogen by 67% with ongoing dosing and maintained 23% suppression after a single dose. Despite biochemical differences, both groups achieved similar ~7 mmHg systolic BP reductions, suggesting BP lags behind RAAS suppression. The upcoming Cardinal-ASH study will target acute severe hypertension patients to further evaluate its impact.