US scientists find new oral drug for lowering cholesterol

Scientists have identified an orally administered drug which they found lowers cholesterol in animal models by 70%. In the latest study, researchers at University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, US, developed an orally administered small-molecule drug that reduces PCSK9 levels and lowers cholesterol in animal models by 70%. "Cholesterol lowering is one of the most important therapies we have to prolong life and protect people from heart disease, which is still the number one cause of morbidity and mortality in the Western world," said senior author Jonathan S. Stamler, Professor at UH and Case Western Reserve School of Medicine. This is a drug class that we think would represent a new way to lower cholesterol, a new way to hit PCSK9," Stamler said. In addition to impacting the field of cholesterol metabolism, the findings may impact patients with cancer, as emerging evidence suggests targeting PCSK9 can improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies, the researchers said.