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Review
. 2024 Jun 24;16(6):e63078.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.63078. eCollection 2024 Jun.

New Insights Into the Treatment of Hyperlipidemia: Pharmacological Updates and Emerging Treatments

Seema Abbasi  1 , Adnan Khan  2 , Muhammad W Choudhry  3
Affiliations
Review

New Insights Into the Treatment of Hyperlipidemia: Pharmacological Updates and Emerging Treatments

Seema Abbasi et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of global mortality and morbidity. Hyperlipidemia is a significant risk factor for atherosclerosis and subsequent cardiovascular diseases. Hyperlipidemia is characterized by imbalances in blood cholesterol levels, particularly elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides, and is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Current management consists of lifestyle modifications and pharmacological interventions most commonly consisting of statins. This review paper explores pathophysiology, management strategies, and pharmacotherapies including commonly used well-established medications including statins, fibrates, and ezetimibe, exciting novel therapies including proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors, and RNA interference therapies (inclisiran), lomitapide, and bempedoic acid, highlighting their mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy, and safety profiles. Additionally, emerging therapies under clinical trials including ApoC-III inhibitors, DGAT2 inhibitors, ACAT2 Inhibitors, and LPL gene therapies are examined for their potential to improve lipid homeostasis and cardiovascular outcomes. The evolving landscape of hyperlipidemia management underscores the importance of continued research into both established therapies and promising new candidates, offering hope for more effective treatment strategies in the future.

Keywords: bempedoic acid; evinacumab; ezetimibe; familial hypercholesterolemia; fibrates; hyperlipidemia; inclisiran; lomitapide; proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (pcsk9) inhibitors; statins.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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