Cite this article
358
Downloads
11
Citations
576
Views
Announcements
Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine (RCM) is published by IMR Press from Volume 19 Issue 1 (2018). Previous articles were published by another publisher in Open Access under a CC-BY (or CC-BY-NC-ND) licence, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with MedReviews, LLC.
Open Access
Review
Can We Cure Atherosclerosis?
Show Less
1
Departments of Epidemiology & Medicine, University of Iowa College of Public Health and Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA
2
Department of Cardiology, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL
Rev. Cardiovasc. Med. 2018, 19(S1), 20–24;
https://doi.org/10.3909/ricm19S1S0003
Published: 20 January 2018
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease mortality rates have begun to rise in the United States. Based on the large body of supportive evidence, we propose a proof-of-concept, first-in-human trial to cure atherosclerosis: CURing Early ATHEROsclerosis (CURE ATHERO). This trial is based on a model of intensive induction therapy for extensive, if not complete, plaque regression, followed by intermittent maintenance therapy. An extensive body of evidence has demonstrated the causal role of apolipoprotein B lipoproteins in atherosclerosis progression and data suggest intensive low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering may have a substantial impact on earlier stages of atherosclerosis. Compared with lifetime treatment to prevent atherosclerosis progression, this induction–intermittent treatment model will minimize costs and maximize adherence and safety.
Keywords
Atherosclerosis
Regression
Primary prevention
Familial hypercholesterolemia
Apolipoprotein B lipoproteins
PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies
Statins