New scientific findings, published in Cell Reports, reveal a previously unknown strategy for managing cholesterol, with a drug that may even influence cancer treatments.
The study by researchers from the University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine describes an orally administered micromolecular drug that, all indications are, can reduce cholesterol and PCSK9 levels in animal models by 70%.
PCSK9 is an enzyme in the bloodstream that controls the number of LDL receptors, "tagging" them for degradation. LDL receptors, which are located on the surface of liver cells, have a central role in regulating cholesterol, since they are responsible for removing it from the blood. Therefore, a drug that inhibits the PCSK9 enzyme helps to increase the number of LDL receptors.
"Statins were the only drug that was currently associated with lowering cholesterol. We believe that the new drug represents a new way of lowering cholesterol by targeting the PCSK9 enzyme," the researchers comment.
The new drug essentially uses nitric oxide, a molecule known for its vasodilator property. In the new study, the researchers claimed that it can also target and inhibit PCSK9, reducing cholesterol. Mice treated with the drug showed a 70% reduction in "bad" LDL cholesterol.
"Lowering cholesterol is one of the most important treatments we have to prolong life and protect people from heart disease, which is still the number one cause of morbidity and mortality in the Western world," the researchers said.
The drug's contribution to cancer treatment
In addition to the drug's benefits in lowering cholesterol, the findings suggest that this formulation may have an impact on cancer treatment, as the findings under investigation suggest that targeting PCSK9 may improve the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies.
"PCSK9 not only targets LDL receptors for degradation, but also mediates the degradation of MHC1 in lymphocytes, which is used to recognize cancer cells. Thus, it effectively prevents lymphocytes from recognising cancer cells. Therefore, if we inhibit PCSK9, we can enhance cancer surveillance in the body," the research team said.
Source: ygeiamou.gr
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