One-and-Done Heart Disease Prevention? Scientists Show It May Be Possible.
The New York Times • • business
Key Points:
- A preliminary study showed that a single infusion of an experimental gene-editing treatment significantly lowered LDL cholesterol levels by up to 62%, with effects potentially lasting at least 18 months.
- The treatment targets patients with genetically high LDL cholesterol or heart disease, aiming to provide a one-time, long-lasting therapy to prevent cardiovascular disease, which kills nearly 800,000 Americans annually.
- The study involved 35 patients so far, with plans to expand to 85 participants in the current trial and a future larger study including 200 patients.
- Published in The New England Journal of Medicine, the interim results are notable given the journal's typical caution with preliminary data, highlighting the potential impact of gene therapy on heart disease.
- Experts suggest that if confirmed in larger trials, this gene-editing approach could revolutionize early treatment strategies and offer a curative option for cardiovascular disease.