New Treatment Helps Lower Bad Cholesterol More Effectively
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Understanding the Problem
Heart disease is one of the top causes of death around the world. One major reason for heart problems is high levels of "bad" cholesterol, known as LDL-C. Doctors often use statins to lower cholesterol, but not everyone sees good results. Some people don’t reach their target cholesterol levels even after taking medicine and making lifestyle changes. These people are still at risk of heart disease.
A New Type of Treatment
Researchers have been working on new ways to help lower cholesterol. One promising option is a treatment that targets a protein called ANGPTL-3. This protein affects how fats are broken down in the body. If we block this protein, the body can lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides more effectively.
A new drug called SHR-1918 is designed to block ANGPTL-3. It is a type of antibody that is given through an injection under the skin. In a new study, scientists tested this drug in people who had high cholesterol that was not well controlled, even though they were already on other medicines.
The Study
The study included 333 people who were at medium or high risk for heart disease. They were already taking cholesterol-lowering drugs but still had high LDL-C levels. These people were given different doses of SHR-1918 or a placebo (a fake treatment) every 4 or 8 weeks for 16 weeks.
What Did They Find?
The results were impressive. SHR-1918 helped reduce bad cholesterol levels by 21% to 30%, depending on the dose. It also lowered triglycerides by more than 50%, which is a major benefit. These results were better than those seen in people who took the placebo.
The higher the dose, the better the results. Even the people who took the drug every 8 weeks saw a big improvement. Most people in the SHR-1918 group reached their target LDL-C levels, while only about 30% of people in the placebo group did.
Is It Safe?
Yes, the treatment was generally safe. The most common side effects were mild, like slight pain at the injection site or mild changes in liver tests. Only a few people had to stop the treatment because of side effects.
Why It Matters
SHR-1918 could be a helpful new option for people who don’t get enough results from their current cholesterol medicine. It offers a different way to target the problem and can be given just once every 4 to 8 weeks, which is convenient for patients.
What’s Next?
This was a short-term study, so we still need more research to see how SHR-1918 works over the long term and whether it reduces heart attacks or strokes. But the early results are very promising.
In Summary
SHR-1918 is a new type of drug that helps lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides in people who need extra help. It’s safe, effective, and easy to use, making it a possible game-changer in heart health treatment.