Anti-inflammatory therapeutics for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Charo, Israel F.; Taub, Rebecca

Atherosclerosis is the primary cause of heart disease and stroke and is thus the underlying pathology of the leading causes of death in the western world. Although risk can be reduced by lowering lipid levels, the equally important contribution of inflammation to the development of cardiovascular disease is not adequately addressed by existing therapies. Here, we summarize the evidence supporting a role for inflammation in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, discuss agents that are currently in the clinic and provide a perspective on the challenges faced in the development of drugs that target vascular inflammation.

ATHEROSCLEROSIS treatment; ANTI-inflammatory agents; CARDIOVASCULAR diseases; INFLAMMATION; THERAPEUTICS; PATHOLOGY; ATHEROSCLEROSIS complications; CARDIOVASCULAR disease prevention; ANIMALS; ATHEROSCLEROSIS; DRUG delivery systems; DRUG development; PHARMACODYNAMICS

Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 2011, Vol 10, Issue 5, p365

1474-1776

Academic Journal

10.1038/nrd3444