Mechanisms of disease: HDL metabolism as a target for novel therapies

DJ Rader - Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine, 2007 - nature.com
DJ Rader
Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine, 2007nature.com
Plasma concentrations of HDL cholesterol are inversely correlated with risk of coronary
heart disease, and low HDL-cholesterol levels are a risk factor even in patients aggressively
treated for LDL reduction. Thus, there is great interest in targeting HDL cholesterol
therapeutically. The existing approaches are limited in their ability to raise HDL-cholesterol
levels, and there has, therefore, been a major focus on the development of novel therapies.
The goal of new approaches is to either raise HDL-cholesterol levels or improve the function …
Abstract
Plasma concentrations of HDL cholesterol are inversely correlated with risk of coronary heart disease, and low HDL-cholesterol levels are a risk factor even in patients aggressively treated for LDL reduction. Thus, there is great interest in targeting HDL cholesterol therapeutically. The existing approaches are limited in their ability to raise HDL-cholesterol levels, and there has, therefore, been a major focus on the development of novel therapies. The goal of new approaches is to either raise HDL-cholesterol levels or improve the function of HDL. Here, the current status of the development of novel therapies targeted toward HDL metabolism is reviewed.
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