Roughly 39% of persons worldwide suffer from elevated total cholesterol, according to the World Heart Federation.98.6 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were caused by high non-HDL cholesterol in 2019. Additionally, it is believed to have resulted in 4.4 million deaths, or almost 8% of all deaths that year.
The World Health Organization states that one-third of cases of ischemic heart disease worldwide are caused by excessive cholesterol. An estimated 2.6 million fatalities (4.5% of the total) and 29.7 million DALYS (2% of all DALYS) are linked to this increased cholesterol.
Raised total cholesterol is a key risk factor for ischemic heart disease and stroke, and its effects are a major issue in both industrialized and developing nations. Around the world, 39% of adults had high total cholesterol in 2008; 37% of men and 40% of women had this condition.
In a study published in the journal NPJ Vaccines, Dr. Bryce Chackerian and his colleagues showed that the vaccination was just as successful as the pricy PCSK9 inhibitors at lowering LDL cholesterol.
“Our goal is to create an alternative method that is more affordable and widely usable, not only in the US but also in other countries where these extremely costly treatments are unaffordable,” Dr. Chackerian stated.
Dr. Abinash Achrekar, a cardiologist and high cholesterol sufferer, discussed from personal experience the difficulties in finding medications that are reasonably priced. He declared, “I have high cholesterol and I work as a cardiologist.” “When I was a young man, around the age of 16, I received a diagnosis.”
Dr. Achrekar stated, “The more PCSK9 your body makes, the higher your LDL cholesterol will be.” He also mentioned that the twice-monthly injections he receives to block the protein lower his bad cholesterol by roughly 60%, but they come at a premium cost and need a prescription from a cardiologist or primary care physician in advance.
He stated, “They’re life-saving, but they do take some time to process with the insurance companies.” It has been demonstrated that these medications not only lower cholesterol but also cut the risk of heart attack, stroke, and mortality.
Using a virus particle to target the PCSK9 protein, Dr. Chackerian’s vaccine produced a strong antibody response that controlled cholesterol levels. The vaccination demonstrated encouraging effects in animal testing, lowering cholesterol levels by as much as 30%, which was correlated with a lower risk of heart disease.
The vaccine has successfully undergone testing on mice and monkeys throughout the last ten years. Securing funding for human clinical studies and production is the next step, which might need millions of dollars and several years to complete.
According to Dr. Chackerian, each dose of the vaccine would cost less than $100, making it a reasonably priced option with potential worldwide effects. He believes the vaccine will cost several hundred thousand dollars.
Dr. Chackerian is optimistic that the vaccination will revolutionize the management of cholesterol and enhance heart health worldwide, even though human trials are expected to take ten years.
Eligibility criteria for having a heart transplant and how to prepare?
