Top 10 Medical Innovations according to the Cleveland Clinic (4)
Specialists of the Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, have compiled another annual list of innovations that, in their opinion, will have the greatest impact on the healthcare system in the coming 2015.
No. 4. The use of PCSK9 inhibitors to reduce cholesterol levels
Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance that is part of various cells of the body, and performs many vital functions. However, an increase in the concentration of certain forms of this compound in the blood is one of the main mechanisms that trigger the development of coronary heart disease.
Cholesterol is carried by the bloodstream throughout the body in the form of complexes known as lipoproteins. Lipoproteins are divided into two main fractions: "bad" low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and "good" high-density lipoproteins (HDL).
Low–density lipoproteins tend to deposit and accumulate on the inner surface of the artery walls in the form of so-called atherosclerotic plaques, which are symptoms of atherosclerosis - a potentially life-threatening disease that often leads to the development of myocardial infarctions and strokes.
To date, the most effective cholesterol-lowering drugs in the blood are statin class, first introduced in 1987. Their action is based on the inhibition of the liver enzyme hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A-reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) necessary for the synthesis of cholesterol.
However, in some cases statins do not have the desired effect. In search of an alternative approach to solving the problem, the researchers identified a low-activity version of the PCSK9 gene regulating LDL levels in the blood. The concentration of LDL in the blood of carriers of this gene variant is almost an order of magnitude lower than the average value for the population; in addition, they are at low risk for the development of diseases of the cardiovascular system.
The result of this line of work was the appearance of PCSK9 inhibitors, a new class of cholesterol–lowering drugs whose active ingredient is complex monoclonal antibodies specific to the cholesterol receptor on liver cells. Drugs of this class are intended for self-administration twice a month. Their use makes it possible to reduce the level of low–density lipoproteins in the blood to unprecedented low values: by 50-60% when used individually and by 75% when used in combination with statins.
To date, several drugs of the PCSK9 inhibitor class are at different stages of development and clinical trials. It is expected that in 2015 one of them will receive approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use with the aim of significantly reducing LDL levels in order to achieve the therapeutic goals set for patients.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of the Cleveland Clinic: Top 10 Innovations for 2015.
11.12.2014