Mipomersen and lomitapide: Two new drugs for the treatment of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a disease associated with very high plasma concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and premature cardiovascular disease. It is difficult in these high risk patients, exposed lifelong to very high LDL-C, to reach target LDL-C concentrations, which require >50% LDL-C reduction, even when on maximally tolerated statin therapy and on apheresis if available. Therefore, there is an unmet need for new therapeutic options for these patients. In 2013 two new drugs were approved for the treatment of homozygous FH, namely the apolipoprotein B synthesis inhibitor mipomersen and the microsomal transfer protein inhibitor lomitapide. Objective of this narrative review is to discuss the available evidence on the safety and efficacy profile of these new drugs.

National lipid association recommendations for patient-centered management of dyslipidemia: part 1--full report

The leadership of the National Lipid Association convened an Expert Panel to develop a consensus set of recommendations for patient-centered management of dyslipidemia in clinical medicine. An Executive Summary of those recommendations was previously published. This document provides support for the recommendations outlined in the Executive Summary. The major conclusions include (1) an elevated level of cholesterol carried by circulating apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins (non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], termed atherogenic cholesterol) is a root cause of atherosclerosis, the key underlying process contributing to most clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events; (2) reducing elevated levels of atherogenic cholesterol will lower ASCVD risk in proportion to the extent that atherogenic cholesterol is reduced. This benefit is presumed to result from atherogenic cholesterol lowering through multiple modalities, including lifestyle and drug therapies; (3) the intensity of risk-reduction therapy should generally be adjusted to the patient's absolute risk for an ASCVD event; (4) atherosclerosis is a process that often begins early in life and progresses for decades before resulting a clinical ASCVD event. Therefore, both intermediate-term and long-term or lifetime risk should be considered when assessing the potential benefits and hazards of risk-reduction therapies; (5) for patients in whom lipid-lowering drug therapy is indicated, statin treatment is the primary modality for reducing ASCVD risk; (6) nonlipid ASCVD risk factors should also be managed appropriately, particularly high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, and diabetes mellitus; and (7) the measurement and monitoring of atherogenic cholesterol levels remain an important part of a comprehensive ASCVD prevention strategy.

Pharmacogenomics, lipid disorders, and treatment options

Statins form the backbone of lipid-lowering therapy in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Numerous studies have evaluated the effect of genomics on the clinical efficacy and adverse effects of statins. Several gene variants that can be linked to either the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of statins have been identified as potentially important, although there are some discrepant findings among studies. Effect sizes are modest for lipid-lowering efficacy and perhaps somewhat larger for risk of myopathy, although results are inconsistent. Pharmacogenomics of nonstatin lipid-lowering agents have not been evaluated to the same extent, given their relatively limited use, although there are some promising candidate genes for further study. Finally, with several new classes of lipid-lowering therapies soon becoming available, there may be a potential application for pharmacogenomics to identify patients ideally suited to receive-or those who should avoid-specific medications.

Can we use the epigenetic bioactivity of caloric restriction and phytochemicals to promote healthy ageing?

Why is it relevant to propose epigenetic “Nutricures” to prevent diseases linked with ageing?