title: Current therapies for lowering lipoprotein (a).
abstract: Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is a human plasma lipoprotein with unique structural and functional characteristics. Lp(a) is an assembly of two components: a central core with apoB and an additional glycoprotein, called apo(a). Ever since the strong association between elevated levels of Lp(a) and an increased risk for CVD was recognized, interest in the therapeutic modulation of Lp(a) levels has increased. Here, the past and present therapies aiming to lower Lp(a) levels will be reviewed, demonstrating that these agents have had varying degrees of success. The next challenge will be to prove that Lp(a) lowering also leads to cardiovascular benefit in patients with elevated Lp(a) levels. Therefore, highly specific and potent Lp(a)-lowering strategies are awaited urgently.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Julian C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: van Capelleveen
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Fleur M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: van der Valk
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands e.s.stroes@amc.uva.nl.
authors.forename: Erik S G
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Stroes
mesh_terms: D053299:Apolipoprotein B-100 / Q000097:blood*; D001054:Apolipoproteins A / Q000097:blood*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: C569471:APOB protein, human; D053299:Apolipoprotein B-100; D001054:Apolipoproteins A; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D017270:Lipoprotein(a)
keywords: apolipoproteins; drug therapy; drug therapy/hypolipidemic drugs; dyslipidemias; lipoprotein(a); lipoproteins