Clinical researchers (including our very own Dr. Michael J. Koren) have recently confirmed the success of an oral PCSK9 inhibitor in lowering cholesterol in patients who are taking the maximum amount of currently approved cholesterol medications. PCSK9 is short for proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9. This protein lowers the liver’s ability to break down LDL cholesterol, so by inhibiting (decreasing) PCSK9, the liver is more effective. All PCSK9 inhibitors that are currently approved must be injected, so an oral medication that successfully inhibits PCSK9 is a big step forward. In the current study, patients on the oral PCSK9 inhibitor saw similar drops in LDL cholesterol to the injectable medication! Remember that this is in patients who were already on the maximum dose of approved oral cholesterol medications!

To find out more, the study is available at:

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(23)00325-X/abstract