New advances in lipid-modifying therapies for reducing cardiovascular risk

Over the last 30 years, several epidemiological and prospective studies have identified a number of risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease. Lipid abnormalities are central among these risk factors, and their correction has been a major target for the medical community. The 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) inhibitors (statins) are the most widely prescribed and best tolerated of the currently available lipid-modifying therapies. Newer agents in this class (e.g. rosuvastatin) have been developed that have proven to be more effective at lowering levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). New formulations of drugs such as nicotinic acid can improve treatment regimens and reduce unpleasant side-effects, thereby improving patient compliance with this therapy. In terms of developing novel drugs, the introduction of cholesterol absorption inhibitors (e.g. ezetimibe) and ACAT inhibitors (e.g. avasimibe) will provide clinicians with therapies that exploit different therapeutic pathways to those currently being utilised. Combining these agents with statins could produce greater improvements in lipid profile than those seen to date. In addition, advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of dyslipidaemia have led to the identification of other novel therapeutic targets, including cholesteryl ester transfer protein. Studies with experimental drugs have already demonstrated the potential of these approaches.