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Sneak Preview: A New Class of Cholesterol Drugs

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Once again, the nationally recognized physicians of Cooper Clinic are on the leading edge of medical science as they reveal a new class of cholesterol drugs called PCSK9 inhibitors.

Dr. Nina Radford is Director of Clinical Research at Cooper Clinic and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiology. She is educating patients and fellow physicians about this exciting new medical breakthrough.

A new class of cholesterol lowering medications has entered the market. PCSK9 Inhibitor Antibodies may dramatically change the way we treat patients with high cholesterol. Praluent is the first FDA-approved treatment using this new innovation.

How does it work? These drugs are antibodies that block or inhibit the molecule PCSK9 which is involved in cholesterol homeostasis. In other words, it lowers cholesterol. Praluent comes in the form of an injection given every two weeks. The drug is intended for use as an adjunct to diet and maximally tolerated statin therapy for the treatment of adults with heterozygous familial hyperlipidemia or in patients with clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Clinical trials demonstrated market reductions in LDL cholesterol ranging from 36 to 59 percent. While the drug was generally well tolerated in the clinical trials, it is important to remember only a small number of patients have been treated with this drug to date.

“We are very interested in seeing how the medication is tolerated by large numbers of individuals,” said Dr. Chris Abel, Executive Vice President and Medical Director of Cooper Clinic. “Ultimately, the success of this group of drugs will depend on their ability to reduce cardiovascular events (heart attack and stroke) and their ability to reduce mortality. Ongoing studies are in progress to assess the drug’s clinical response in a large population of patients. The initial look in small groups was encouraging.”

Praluent is yet another demonstration of the dedication Cooper Clinic has to delivering innovative, first-in-class treatment to its patients, says Dr. Radford.

For more information about Praluent or PCSK9 inhibitors, consult your physician.

If you would like to learn more about the preventive services Cooper Clinic offers, please visit www.cooper-clinic.com or call 972.560.2667.