Home / Health / One-Shot Cholesterol Cure Hailed as 'Game-Changer'
One-Shot Cholesterol Cure Hailed as 'Game-Changer'
1 Dec
Summary
- A single drug infusion may eliminate high cholesterol for life.
- Experimental treatment targets and switches off a key gene.
- This new therapy could offer an alternative to daily statins.
A revolutionary one-off drug injection, currently known as VERVE-102, is showing remarkable potential to permanently lower high cholesterol levels. This pioneering gene therapy targets and deactivates a specific gene that drives the production of LDL, commonly referred to as 'bad' cholesterol. Preliminary studies involving a small group of patients demonstrated a substantial decrease in LDL levels following a single infusion.
While large-scale trials are necessary to confirm its safety and efficacy, experts are optimistic about VERVE-102's implications. It could provide a crucial alternative for individuals unresponsive to existing treatments or seeking a more convenient, non-daily regimen than statins. Approximately half of UK adults contend with high cholesterol, a condition linked to increased risks of heart attacks and strokes.
Currently, statins are the primary treatment, effectively lowering LDL for many. However, side effects lead some patients to discontinue use. VERVE-102 offers a novel approach, aiming to genetically 'switch off' the cholesterol-raising mechanism. Despite the promise, concerns about the potential cost of gene-editing therapies and the need for long-term safety data remain.
