Inhibitors of PCSK9

• Published in: Revue médicale suisse Vol. 13; no. 558; pp. 821 - 825
• Main Authors: Petrova-Slater, Iveta, Denegri, Andrea, Pasotti, Elena, Rossi, Maria Grazia, Spirk, David, Riesen, Walter F, Moccetti, Tiziano, Moccetti, Marco
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: Switzerland 12.04.2017
• Subjects: Anticholesteremic Agents - adverse effects; Anticholesteremic Agents - pharmacology; Anticholesteremic Agents - therapeutic use; Cardiovascular Diseases - etiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control; Cholesterol, LDL - blood; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors - adverse effects; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Hypercholesterolemia - complications; Hypercholesterolemia - drug therapy; Proprotein Convertase 9 - antagonists & inhibitors
• ISSN: 1660-9379

Observational data show a consistent association between elevated low density lipoproteins (LDL-C) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Reduction of LDL-C reduces the risk of CVD as has been shown by many trials. Statins are currently the most effective drugs for lowering LDL-C, but can present side effects which might limit the prescribed dosage and prevent patients from reaching the recommended LDL levels. Although treated with statins important residual cardiovascular event risk remains in patients in primary and secondary prevention for CVD. The discovery of protein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 antibodies is a very promising new hypolipidemic treatment and the aim of this review is to explain their mechanism of action and to discuss safety and efficacy results of some phase III studies.