Lowering cholesterol is one of the most critical strategies to prolong life and protect people from cardiovascular diseases, which are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A new study from investigators at University Hospitals (UH) and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine has found an orally administered small-molecule drug to reduce PCSK9 levels and lower 70% LDL “bad” cholesterol in animal models. The study showed that nitric oxide -based drug can target and inhibit PCSK9, thereby lowering cholesterol.
In addition to affecting cholesterol metabolism, the study findings can also have implications for cancer patients, with evidence suggesting that targeting PCSK9 can also be beneficial in cancer management. This is because PCSK9 not only targets LDL receptors for degradation but can also mediate the degradation of MHC 1 on the lymphocytes, which can…
