Do we need new lipid-lowering agents in the era of PCSK9 inhibitors? Recent advances

Abstract

Atherosclerotic disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide. Much of atherosclerotic disease initiation and progression is driven by dyslipidemia. With the advent of statins, ezetimibe, and more recently the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors, physicians across all specialties have access to an armamentarium to address this major pathophysiological driver. Nevertheless, there is still a large unmet need in terms of optimizing pharmacotherapeutic lipid lowering strategies. This article will review the evidence pertaining to the major lipid-lowering agents that have been introduced lately, or still are under development, after the advent of statins, ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors. There is cumulating evidence suggesting that there soon will be a broad specter of differential therapies across a variety of mechanistic pathways that will enter clinical medicine. Knowledge about these potential recent advances and various upcoming therapeutic options will make choice easier for physicians, and will lead to more personalized selections of available treatments.