Lipid-altering drugs in development

Although currently available lipid lowering therapies are effective and well tolerated, the search continues for additional treatments with even better efficacy and tolerability profiles. As well as refinements to existing strategies (new HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, fibrates and combination therapies) new avenues are being explored. These include inhibitors of enzymes other than HMG-CoA reductase involved in cholesterol regulation and drugs which affect absorption of lipids from the gastrointestinal tract. In the case of the latter, it has been shown that the new antiobesity treatment orlistat can favourably affect the blood lipid profile. In line with an increasing emphasis on improving high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, the potential therapeutic roles of niacin and drugs which inhibit enzymes involved in the metabolism of HDL-C are also being researched.