Saturday, March 18, 2017

Solution in Genetics for High Cholesterol Problems - Science

Cholesterol has not been much bother for me but I know many are plagued by elevated levels of it and my impression is the medicine(s) to mitigate it aren't so good since I've never heard anyone was all that pleased at that prescription.  However, there's a better way coming and it appears to be dramatically better through the use of a solution in genetics.  (Science Daily:  New 'gene silencer' drug reduce cholesterol by over 50 percent)

Don't worry about the content of the report since the punchline comes at the top.  There's a gene which is responsible for elevated cholesterol and their approach, in effect, 'turns it off.'  Since that reduces the problem by fifty percent, the must be another one but cutting the problem in half in one whack is not too shabby.


The therapy looks like it's easy.

Researchers from Imperial College London and their colleagues, who conducted the trial, say the twice-a-year treatment could be safely given with or without statins, depending on individual patient needs. Eventually, inclisiran could help to reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke related to high cholesterol.

- SD


Of course you want to know if it really works.

In the study, researchers gave 497 patients with high cholesterol and at high risk of cardiovascular disease either inclisiran at varying doses, or placebo. Seventy-three per cent of these patients were already taking statins, and 31 per cent were taking ezetimibe. Participants, who were recruited from Canada, USA, Germany, Netherlands, and the UK, were excluded if they were taking monoclonal antibodies for cholesterol lowering.

Patients were given different doses of inclisiran or placebo via subcutaneous injection, either via a single dose, or via a dose on day one and another at three months. They were followed up regularly for a subsequent eight months and tested for blood cholesterol and side effects.

The researchers found that just one month after receiving a single treatment of inclisiran, participants' LDL cholesterol levels had reduced by up to 51 per cent.

- SD

Apparently it does.


He added: "The effectiveness of statins and other cholesterol-lowering treatments such as monoclonal antibodies relies on patients' ability to take them consistently. Therefore, giving inclisiran up to twice yearly at a GP surgery, much in the same way flu vaccinations are provided, might be more effective."

"We believe that these clinical visits might only be twice a year at most, so ultimately, they are more convenient and more effective for patients and their health."

- SD


Hardly any type of medical information here will be for immediate application since there's the period between research and any type of commercial release.  However, the information is valid to see that which really is coming and this looks like a good 'un.

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