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Biomarkers in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis: need, validation, and future

James H Revkin1, Charles L Shear, Hubert G Pouleur

  • 1Pfizer Global Research and Development, 50 Pequot Ave., Mailstop-6025-A4115, New London, CT 06320, USA. james.h.revkin@pfizer.com

Pharmacological Reviews
|March 3, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Novel imaging techniques like carotid intima-media thickness and atheroma volume measurement can serve as effective surrogate markers for cardiovascular disease (CVD) progression in clinical trials, potentially accelerating drug development.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Medical Imaging
  • Clinical Trials

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death globally, necessitating new therapeutic strategies.
  • Current clinical trials for CVD drugs rely on long-term cardiovascular outcomes, requiring large patient cohorts and extended follow-up periods.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the utility of surrogate markers for CVD progression in clinical trials.
  • To evaluate advanced imaging techniques as potential replacements for traditional cardiovascular outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of quantitative coronary angiography as a traditional method for assessing atherosclerotic progression.
  • Discussion of B-mode ultrasound for carotid intima-media thickness measurement.
  • Exploration of intravascular ultrasound for atheroma volume quantification.

Main Results:

  • Quantitative coronary angiography has limitations in assessing atherosclerotic progression.
  • Carotid intima-media thickness and atheroma volume measurement are emerging as accurate techniques.
  • These advanced imaging methods show promise as surrogate endpoints.

Conclusions:

  • Utilizing surrogate markers like intima-media thickness and atheroma volume can shorten clinical trials.
  • This approach may facilitate faster development of novel cardiovascular therapies.
  • Advanced imaging techniques offer a more efficient pathway for evaluating new CVD treatments.

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