Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 14, 2026

Isolation and Analysis of Plasma Lipoproteins by Ultracentrifugation
06:47

Isolation and Analysis of Plasma Lipoproteins by Ultracentrifugation

Published on: January 28, 2021

Lipoprotein(a): Role in Cardiovascular Risk and Advances in Novel Therapeutics

Adrián Murillo Sotela1, Gloriana Orozco Loaiza1, Paula Villalobos Villalobos1

  • 1General Medicine, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, CRI.

Cureus
|May 13, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) contributes to residual cardiovascular risk. Novel therapies targeting Lp(a) show promise in clinical trials, offering new hope for managing cardiovascular disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Genetics
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Significant residual cardiovascular risk persists despite established prevention strategies.
  • Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), a genetically determined lipoprotein, is increasingly recognized as a causal factor in cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  • The apolipoprotein(a) (apo(a)) component of Lp(a) drives proatherogenic, proinflammatory, prothrombotic, and procalcific mechanisms contributing to CVD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of Lp(a) in residual cardiovascular risk.
  • To discuss current therapeutic strategies and emerging treatments targeting Lp(a).

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating Lp(a) and cardiovascular disease.
  • Analysis of clinical trial data for novel Lp(a)-targeting therapeutics.

Main Results:

  • Lp(a) is a significant, genetically determined contributor to residual cardiovascular risk.
  • Current management relies on aggressive control of traditional risk factors.
  • Phase 2 trials of small interfering ribonucleic acids (siRNAs) and antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) targeting Lp(a) demonstrate promising efficacy.

Conclusions:

  • Novel therapeutics targeting Lp(a) are on the horizon, with multiple agents in phase 3 trials.
  • These emerging therapies hold the potential to address the unmet need in managing Lp(a)-associated cardiovascular risk.
  • Targeting Lp(a) represents a promising new frontier in cardiovascular disease prevention.

Keywords:
antisense oligonucleotidesapolipoprotein(a)atherosclerosiscardiovascular diseaselipoprotein(a)small interfering rna

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