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Updated: May 11, 2026
12:50
Screening Assays to Characterize Novel Endothelial Regulators Involved in the Inflammatory Response
Published on: September 15, 2017
Emerging anti-inflammatory drugs for atherosclerosis
Jeremy P Berman1, Michael E Farkouh, Robert S Rosenson
1Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place Box 1087, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Expert Opinion on Emerging Drugs
|May 17, 2013
Summary
Inflammation drives cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. New anti-inflammatory drugs are in development, but improved access to statins could reduce cardiovascular events globally.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular medicine
- Inflammation research
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death globally.
- Inflammation is a key driver of atherosclerosis and plaque vulnerability.
- Conventional therapies inadequately address inflammation, leading to recurrent cardiovascular events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of inflammation in cardiovascular disease.
- To discuss current and emerging anti-inflammatory therapies for atherosclerosis.
- To highlight challenges and future directions in cardiovascular drug development.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on inflammation and cardiovascular disease.
- Analysis of current research into anti-inflammatory drug targets for atherosclerosis.
- Discussion of clinical trial methodologies and endpoints for cardiovascular drugs.
Main Results:
- Statins possess anti-inflammatory properties beyond LDL cholesterol reduction.
- Several anti-inflammatory pathways are being investigated, including targets like IL-1 and CCL2-CCR2.
- Only methotrexate, darapladib, and canakinumab are in Phase III trials for atherosclerosis.
Conclusions:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs show promise but require extensive Phase III trials.
- Biomarkers and imaging can accelerate early-stage drug development.
- Enhanced access to existing therapies like statins is crucial for reducing cardiovascular disease burden.
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