Potential Therapeutic Value of Interleukin 1b-targeted Strategies in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease.
ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019;
72:760-766. [PMID:
31078457 DOI:
10.1016/j.rec.2019.03.006]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Clinical trials have unequivocally shown that cholesterol-lowering drugs decrease the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in an exceptionally wide range of individuals. Yet, even when treated optimally according to current standards, many individuals still experience life-threatening ischemic events. Emerging experimental and clinical evidence strongly suggests that persistent inflammation is a major driver of this residual risk, which has opened the door to the application of anti-inflammatory drugs for cardiovascular disease prevention. Here, we review our current knowledge of the biology of interleukin-1β, a key regulator of inflammation in atherosclerotic plaque and the target of the first clinical trial to demonstrate that an anti-inflammatory drug can effectively reduce cardiovascular risk. We discuss the challenges faced by interleukin-1β inhibitors and other anti-inflammatory compounds in their translation to the clinical scenario, and identify other potential targets within this signaling pathway that hold promise in the cardiovascular setting.
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