New Pharmacological Approaches to Target PCSK9. 2020

Alberico L Catapano, and Angela Pirillo, and Giuseppe D Norata
Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) plays a crucial role in regulating circulating levels of LDL-C as a consequence of its ability to inhibit LDL receptor recycling in the liver. Loss of function variants in the PCSK9 gene result in low LDL-C levels and associate with reduced cardiovascular risk, whereas gain of-function variants associate with hypercholesterolemia and increased risk of early cardiovascular events. Thus, PCSK9 inhibition has been established as an additional approach for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. The aim of this review is to provide a brief overview of current strategies targeting PCSK9 and discuss clinical results of the emerging approaches. Two monoclonal antibodies targeting circulating PCSK9 (evolocumab and alirocumab) have been approved for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular disease. Later, a gene silencing approach (inclisiran), which inhibits hepatic PCSK9 synthesis, was shown to be as effective as monoclonal antibodies but with a twice a year injection and is currently under evaluation for approval. Due to the elevated costs of such therapies, several other approaches have been explored, including peptide-based anti PCSK9 vaccination, and small oral PCSK9 inhibitors, which are still in preclinical phase. In the coming years, we will assist to a progressive introduction of novel anti-PCSK9 approaches in the clinical practice for the treatment of patients with hypercholesterolemia as well as patients at high cardiovascular risk.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008078 Cholesterol, LDL Cholesterol which is contained in or bound to low density lipoproteins (LDL), including CHOLESTEROL ESTERS and free cholesterol. LDL Cholesterol,Cholesteryl Linoleate, LDL,LDL Cholesteryl Linoleate,Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol,beta-Lipoprotein Cholesterol,Cholesterol, beta-Lipoprotein,beta Lipoprotein Cholesterol
D011973 Receptors, LDL Receptors on the plasma membrane of nonhepatic cells that specifically bind LDL. The receptors are localized in specialized regions called coated pits. Hypercholesteremia is caused by an allelic genetic defect of three types: 1, receptors do not bind to LDL; 2, there is reduced binding of LDL; and 3, there is normal binding but no internalization of LDL. In consequence, entry of cholesterol esters into the cell is impaired and the intracellular feedback by cholesterol on 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase is lacking. LDL Receptors,Lipoprotein LDL Receptors,Receptors, Low Density Lipoprotein,LDL Receptor,LDL Receptors, Lipoprotein,Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor,Low Density Lipoprotein Receptors,Receptors, Lipoprotein, LDL,Receptor, LDL,Receptors, Lipoprotein LDL
D002318 Cardiovascular Diseases Pathological conditions involving the CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM including the HEART; the BLOOD VESSELS; or the PERICARDIUM. Adverse Cardiac Event,Cardiac Events,Major Adverse Cardiac Events,Adverse Cardiac Events,Cardiac Event,Cardiac Event, Adverse,Cardiac Events, Adverse,Cardiovascular Disease,Disease, Cardiovascular,Event, Cardiac
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006937 Hypercholesterolemia A condition with abnormally high levels of CHOLESTEROL in the blood. It is defined as a cholesterol value exceeding the 95th percentile for the population. Hypercholesteremia,Elevated Cholesterol,High Cholesterol Levels,Cholesterol Level, High,Cholesterol Levels, High,Cholesterol, Elevated,Cholesterols, Elevated,Elevated Cholesterols,High Cholesterol Level,Hypercholesteremias,Hypercholesterolemias,Level, High Cholesterol,Levels, High Cholesterol
D000071449 Proprotein Convertase 9 A proprotein convertase that is essential for CHOLESTEROL homeostasis. It binds to and is required for the lysosomal degradation of the LDL RECEPTOR (LDLR); the VLDL receptor, and the APOLIPOPROTEIN E RECEPTOR. It also regulates neuronal APOPTOSIS. NARC-1 Protein,Neural Apoptosis-Regulated Convertase 1,Proprotein Convertase, Subtilisin-Kexin Type 9,Convertase 9, Proprotein,NARC 1 Protein,Neural Apoptosis Regulated Convertase 1,Proprotein Convertase, Subtilisin Kexin Type 9
D000091362 PCSK9 Inhibitors Agents that inhibit Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (see PROPROTEIN CONVERTASE 9 (PCSK9)), an enzyme that plays an important role in the degradation of the LDL receptors. It favors LDL catabolism and reduces plasma LDL-cholesterol (LDL_C) level. PCSK9 Inhibitors Cardiovascular,PCSK9 Inhibitors, Cardiovascular,Cardiovascular PCSK9 Inhibitors,Cardiovascular, PCSK9 Inhibitors,Inhibitors, Cardiovascular PCSK9
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000924 Anticholesteremic Agents Substances used to lower plasma CHOLESTEROL levels. Cholesterol Inhibitors,Hypocholesteremic Agents,Anticholesteremic Drugs,Anticholesteremics,Inhibitors, Cholesterol,Agents, Anticholesteremic,Agents, Hypocholesteremic,Drugs, Anticholesteremic
D012307 Risk Factors An aspect of personal behavior or lifestyle, environmental exposure, inborn or inherited characteristic, which, based on epidemiological evidence, is known to be associated with a health-related condition considered important to prevent. Health Correlates,Risk Factor Scores,Risk Scores,Social Risk Factors,Population at Risk,Populations at Risk,Correlates, Health,Factor, Risk,Factor, Social Risk,Factors, Social Risk,Risk Factor,Risk Factor Score,Risk Factor, Social,Risk Factors, Social,Risk Score,Score, Risk,Score, Risk Factor,Social Risk Factor

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