Targeting high density lipoproteins in the prevention of cardiovascular disease?

Recent studies involving HDL-raising therapeutics have greatly changed our understanding of this field. Despite effectively raising HDL-C levels, niacin remains of uncertain clinical benefit. Synthetic niacin receptor agonists are unlikely to raise HDL-C or have other beneficial effects on plasma lipids. Despite the failure in phase 3 of 2 CETP inhibitors, 2 potent CETP inhibitors that raise HDL-C levels by >100 % (and reduce LDL-C substantially) are in late stage clinical development. Infusions of recombinant HDL containing 'wild-type' apoA-I or apoA-I Milano, as well as autologous delipidated HDL, all demonstrated promising early results, and remain in clinical development. A small molecule that causes upregulation of endogenous apoA-I production is also in clinical development. Finally, upregulation of macrophage cholesterol efflux pathways through agonism of liver X receptors or antagonism of miR-33 remains of substantial interest. The field of HDL therapeutics is poised to transition from the 'HDL-cholesterol hypothesis' to the 'HDL flux hypothesis' in which the impact on flux from macrophage to feces is deemed to be of greater therapeutic benefit than the increase in steady-state concentrations of HDL cholesterol.