Cholesterol-lowering vaccine trials underway

Following successful studies in mice, human trials are now underway of a cholesterol-lowering jab to assist in the prevention of heart disease.

The vaccine is constructed to stop arteries being clogged by fatty deposits and offers patients an alternative to taking daily medication to reduce the risk of heart attacks, angina and stroke.

The vaccine assists the immune system to attack a protein, known as PCSK9, which allows low density lipoprotein cholesterol to accumulate in the bloodstream.

University of Sheffield cardiologist Dr Tim Chico, said “Many questions remain about whether this approach would work in a man.

“This is yet more proof that cholesterol causes heart disease, and lowering cholesterol reduces risk of heart disease, so it confirms the importance of a healthy lifestyle for everyone and medications such as statins for some people to reduce the risk of heart disease.”

The British Heart Foundation’s Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, said “Finding new ways to manage people’s cholesterol levels is absolutely vital.

“Although only tested in mice, this vaccine could lead to a simple way to target high cholesterol and ultimately reduce people’s risk of heart disease.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Paralegal, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (karenmotley@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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