Advances in biological therapies for dyslipidemias and atherosclerosis

Eftaxia-Konstantina Valanti1, Katerina Dalakoura-Karagkouni2, Gerasimos Siasos3

  • 14th Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Genomics and Pharmacogenomics Unit, 'Attikon' Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece; Molecular Biology Division, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Greece; Center for New Biotechnologies and Precision Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.

Insights

Targeting genes in lipoprotein metabolism offers new ways to prevent and treat atherosclerosis. Approved therapies show promise, with ongoing research into advanced strategies like gene editing and vaccines.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis is a complex disease with significant global mortality.
  • Current treatments reduce cardiovascular event risk but don't eliminate mortality.
  • Lipoprotein metabolism gene targeting is a promising therapeutic avenue.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review emerging strategies for atherosclerosis prevention and treatment.
  • To focus on monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and genome/transcriptome modification.
  • To discuss the clinical potential and challenges of these novel therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on advanced atherosclerosis therapies.
  • Analysis of monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and gene-based strategies.
  • Examination of FDA-approved biological therapies and ongoing clinical trials.

Main Results:

  • Several lipid-lowering biological therapies are FDA-approved with positive outcomes.
  • Monoclonal antibodies and vaccines show potential for atherosclerosis management.
  • Genome/transcriptome modification strategies (gene therapy, editing) are under investigation.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting lipoprotein metabolism genes is a key emerging strategy.
  • Advanced therapies offer new hope for reducing atherosclerosis-related mortality.
  • Continued research and clinical trials are essential for therapeutic advancement.

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