Anti-atherosclerotic therapies: Milestones, challenges, and emerging innovations

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Translational Medicine
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Atherosclerosis is a primary cause of global cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality.
• Major risk factors include elevated lipids, hypertension, and high glucose.
• Current therapies manage risk factors but not the underlying cellular pathology of atherosclerotic plaques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current anti-atherosclerotic therapies, highlighting their strengths and limitations.
• To explore recent advancements and emerging technologies in CVD treatment.
• To discuss the potential of nanomedicine, mRNA therapeutics, and gene editing for precision cardiovascular medicine.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of current anti-atherosclerotic therapies.
• Analysis of recent discoveries in nanomedicine, mRNA therapeutics, and gene editing.
• Discussion of the potential clinical applications of these emerging technologies.

Main Results:

• Existing therapies primarily control risk factors, with limitations in directly targeting atherosclerotic plaques.
• Percutaneous coronary intervention reduces mortality but faces challenges like stent thrombosis and neo-atherosclerosis.
• Nanomedicine, mRNA therapeutics, and gene editing show promise for novel anti-atherosclerotic strategies.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need for therapies that directly target atherosclerotic plaque cells.
• Emerging technologies like nanomedicine, mRNA, and gene editing offer potential for more precise and effective CVD treatments.
• These advancements could shift cardiovascular medicine towards a personalized, precision-based approach.