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Therapeutic Agents Targeting Cardiometabolic Risk for Preventing and Treating Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Diseases
Benoit J Arsenault1,2, Nicolas Perrot1,2, Rishi Puri3,4
1Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Canada.
Insights
Statins are key for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD) management. New drugs targeting LDL, remnant particles, and lipoprotein(a), alongside anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory agents, offer novel strategies for high-risk patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Metabolic Diseases
Background:
- Statins are the primary treatment for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD).
- Ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors offer additional risk reduction for high-risk patients.
- Newer glucose-lowering drugs (GLP1R agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors) benefit patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current and emerging therapies for ACVD risk management.
- To discuss novel agents targeting atherogenic lipoproteins.
- To explore the role of anti-inflammatory drugs in ACVD prevention.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing and emerging ACVD therapies.
- Focus on drugs targeting low-density lipoprotein (LDL), remnant-like particles, and lipoprotein(a).
- Inclusion of glucose-lowering and anti-inflammatory agents relevant to ACVD.
Main Results:
- Established therapies include statins, ezetimibe, and PCSK9 inhibitors.
- Emerging drugs like inclisiran and bempedoic acid target LDL.
- Agents targeting remnant particles and lipoprotein(a) are under investigation.
- Anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory drugs show promise in ACVD risk reduction.
Conclusions:
- A multi-faceted approach is needed for ACVD management in high-risk individuals.
- Novel pharmacological targets are expanding treatment options.
- Further research is crucial for integrating these agents into clinical practice.
Abstract:
Targeting atherogenic lipoprotein levels with statins remains the current cornerstone of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD) management. In patients at high ACVD risk who cannot achieve the desired low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol target, the addition of compounds such as ezetimibe and proprotein subtilisin/kexin type-9 (PCSK9) inhibitors incrementally lowers cardiovascular risk. New glucose-lowering drugs such as glucacon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1R) agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors were also shown to improve cardiometabolic risk factors and provide cardiovascular benefits in patients with type 2 diabetes. Our objective is to review the role of these agents in the management of patients at high ACVD risk and introduce new and (re)-emerging drugs targeting atherogenic lipoproteins such as LDL (inclisiran, bempedoic acid, etc.), remnant-like particles (fibrates, volanesorsen, and angiopoietin-like protein-3 (ANGPTL3) inhibitors), and lipoprotein(a) (AKCEA-APO[A]LRX ). The potential role of drugs targeting inflammation (canakinumab, methotrexate, and colchicine) in ACVD risk prevention/management will also be discussed.
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