Inflammation reprogramming and immunomodulation: Next-generation treatments for atherosclerosis

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Translational Medicine
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Current atherosclerosis treatments focus on population-derived risk factors like LDL-cholesterol, blood pressure, and smoking.
• These strategies primarily address disease development and complications, often neglecting patients with established atherosclerosis.
• Epidemiological studies have guided current risk factor management approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To transition from population-based risk factor management to patient-specific, mechanistic treatments for atherosclerosis.
• To explore next-generation therapeutic strategies capable of reversing or regressing established atherosclerotic disease.
• To incorporate systems-level interventions beyond the atherosclerotic plaque itself.

Main Methods:

• Leveraging contemporary biological knowledge and advanced technologies.
• Developing targeted therapies including monoclonal antibodies, small interfering RNA (siRNA), and mRNA.
• Exploring novel approaches such as epigenetic reprogramming and gene editing.
• Characterizing patient-level disease processes mechanistically.

Main Results:

• Emerging biological knowledge enables a shift towards personalized atherosclerosis treatments.
• Next-generation therapies show potential for disease reversal or regression.
• Systems-level interventions offer a broader therapeutic scope.

Conclusions:

• A paradigm shift is occurring in atherosclerosis treatment, moving towards precision medicine.
• Advanced biological insights and technologies are paving the way for novel therapeutic modalities.
• Future treatments will likely be tailored to individual patient disease processes, aiming for regression.