If you have ever had to deal with cholesterol (it's not a question of "if", if you think about it, but when) you surely know that there is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. The bad cholesterol, also known as LDL cholesterol, is produced by the liver and can build up in the arteries. It increases the risk of heart disease, and therefore the leading cause of death in the world.
Needless to say, everyone from patients to labs has been scrambling to find solutions for some time now: there are many, but none seem optimal. Me too'Inclisiran, currently the drug at the center of global attention, has principles that do not allow its mass adoption. Of course, physical activity helps. Of course, diet is also partly responsible (15% or 20%) for bad cholesterol. Regarding the rest, however, there are also people who simply cannot do anything about it. Fortunately, research continues: and today it may have found an effective answer.
MK-0616, a bad cholesterol killer?
MK-0616 is an inhibitor of PCSK9, an enzyme involved in cholesterol homeostasis. In the double-blind phase 2 clinical trials, the research team enrolled 381 adults. All subjects had diagnosed heart disease or risk factors plus high levels of bad LDL cholesterol. The results (published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, I link them to you here)? This drug reduced the levels of bad LDL cholesterol up to 60%. It's a truly remarkable reduction. I dare say decisive.
Very interesting prospects
The development of MK-0616 brings with it many very positive factors, which bode well. First, the drug can be produced through drug pills. This makes it much more convenient (and potentially cheaper) than the injections currently required for other bad cholesterol drugs that target PCSK9. Another surprising fact: MK-0616 also works at much lower doses than other drugs. A lower dose produces an average reduction of 40% of LDL, and with very limited side effects (even if we have to tread lightly. This is what the other phases of experimentation are for).
Overall, this drug represents a significant breakthrough in the fight against bad cholesterol and heart disease. It could help reduce the cost of PCSK9 inhibitor therapies and increase access to patients who need them. I hope to hear further developments soon on this drug which would be revolutionary.
