Lipid Lowering Drugs: Present Status and Future Developments

Purpose of reviewBased on the recent data of the DA VINCI study, it is clear that, besides utilization of statins, there is a need to increase non-statin lipid lowering approaches to reduce the cardiovascular burden in patients at highest risk.Recent findingsFor hypercholesterolemia, the small synthetic molecule bempedoic acid has the added benefit of selective liver activation, whereas inclisiran, a hepatic inhibitor of the PCSK9 synthesis, has comparable effects with PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies. For hypertriglyceridemia, cardiovascular benefit has been achieved by the use of icosapent ethyl, whereas results with pemafibrate, a selective agonist of PPAR-alpha, are eagerly awaited. In the era of RNA-based therapies, new options are offered to dramatically reduce levels of lipoprotein(a) (APO(a)L-RX) and of triglycerides (ANGPTL3L(RX) and APOCIII-L-Rx).SummaryDespite the demonstrated benefits of statins, a large number of patients still remain at significant risk because of inadequate LDL-C reduction or elevated blood triglyceride-rich lipoproteins or lipoprotein(a). The area of lipid modulating agents is still ripe with ideas and major novelties are to be awaited in the next few years.

Automated summary

In addition to statins, other non-statin lipid lowering approaches are needed to reduce cardiovascular burden in patients at highest risk. Recent findings show promising benefits with drugs like bempedoic acid, inclisiran, and icosapent ethyl for managing hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia. RNA-based therapies also offer new options for reducing lipoprotein(a) and triglyceride levels.