Scientists claim that the daily regimen of statins that millions of people take to stave off heart attacks and strokes could be replaced with a gene-editing injection “within a decade.”
The remarkable new drug manipulates the DNA in cholesterol-regulating cells to stop production of the substance after a single dose.
It was presented yesterday at the American Heart Association’s annual scientific meetings in Philadelphia.
Trial results showed that the single injection reduced “bad” LDL cholesterol by more than 50 percent.
Los Angeles cardiologist Professor Karol Watson predicted ‘a brave new world’ in heart care: ‘This study showed that. [gene] With processing you can sustainably reduce the LDL value.”
Daily statin use could be a thing of the past thanks to a revolutionary new gene editing drug (stock photo)
Experts behind the treatment called Verve-101 believe the effects are long-lasting and potentially permanent.
They admit the research is still in its early stages and say their findings raise the possibility that high cholesterol can be effectively “cured” or prevented from becoming a problem in the first place.
“This is a potential game changer in the treatment of heart disease,” says Dr. Sekar Kathiresan, one of the cardiologists behind Verve-101.
He added: “We have shown that a one-time therapy could be the future.”
So far, nine patients have been successfully treated with a genetic condition called familial hypercholesterolemia, which results in sky-high LDL levels that trigger heart attacks.
The trials will soon be extended to wider groups, including people with existing heart disease. “We hope that the treatment will be available by the end of the decade,” Dr. Kathiresan added.
The drug is based on CRISPR technology, which can delete and rewrite parts of the DNA in cells.
Unlike other CRISPR-based treatments, which can cost more than £1 million per dose, mass production of Verve-101 is possible, Dr. Kathiresan added.
Nine patients have been successfully treated so far and the trials will soon be expanded to larger groups (stock photo)
He said: “We expect it will cost no more than other one-time cardiac procedures such as stenting or heart bypass surgery.”
Statins are one of the most prescribed medicines in the UK. About eight million adults take them, and more than 71 million statins are prescribed each year.
The drugs can be remarkably effective, reducing the risk of heart attack by up to 50 per cent and the risk of stroke by a third – at a cost of just £15 per patient per year.
Professor Watson said the biggest concern with the new treatment was safety: “If you’re changing the human genome, that’s a big problem, so we have to make sure it’s very safe.”
Dr. Andrew Bellinger, chief scientific and medical officer at Verve Therapeutics, said large-scale trials involving thousands of patients with heart disease are scheduled to begin in 2025.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
