title: PCSK9 inhibition - a novel mechanism to treat lipid disorders?
abstract: Plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is one of the biomarkers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. LDL is cleared from the circulation preferentially through the LDL receptor (LDLR) pathway. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) promotes the degradation of the LDLR. PCSK9 inhibition is attractive as a new strategy for lowering LDL-C levels, especially in combination with lipid lowering drugs such as statins. We review data from the available studies which focus on PCSK9 as a potential target in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Further studies are still necessary to investigate the potential underlying mechanisms involved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hypertension, Medical University of Lodz, Poland. maciejbanach@aol.co.uk
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Banach
authors.forename: Manfredi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.forename: Milan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Obradovic
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Montalto
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rysz
authors.forename: Dimitri P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Mikhailidis
authors.forename: Esma R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Isenovic
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D000071449:Proprotein Convertase 9; D043484:Proprotein Convertases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D012306:Risk; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; C472125:PCSK9 protein, human; D000071449:Proprotein Convertase 9; D043484:Proprotein Convertases; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases