TimmyH
New RNA drug to target Cholesterol
August 16th 2008 06:07
Traditional cholesterol-lowering drugs have only been 50% effective in reducing LDL or “bad” cholesterol. But researchers at Cambridge in the US have found a new drug that could completely change this.
The drug employs what is known as RNA interference which is also being used to develop anti-cancer medication. It targets the production of PCSK9, which is an enzyme that has been shown to affect LDL cholesterol levels.
Although PCSK9's importance has been clear from previous genetic studies, "what was not known was, if you were to acutely knock down the level of PCSK9, how long would it take for cholesterol to go down," says Kevin Fitzgerald of Alnylam pharmaceuticals. "The answer was, if you knock it down today, then your cholesterol is down tomorrow."
Initial clinical studies have suggested that the Alnylam drug has very limited side effects and could be on the market for consumers within a year or two.
Find the full report here…
Really Long Link
The drug employs what is known as RNA interference which is also being used to develop anti-cancer medication. It targets the production of PCSK9, which is an enzyme that has been shown to affect LDL cholesterol levels.
RNA Drug
Although PCSK9's importance has been clear from previous genetic studies, "what was not known was, if you were to acutely knock down the level of PCSK9, how long would it take for cholesterol to go down," says Kevin Fitzgerald of Alnylam pharmaceuticals. "The answer was, if you knock it down today, then your cholesterol is down tomorrow."
Initial clinical studies have suggested that the Alnylam drug has very limited side effects and could be on the market for consumers within a year or two.
Find the full report here…
Really Long Link
| 20 |
| Vote |
Shared on
Subscribe to this blog
