Interplay between hypercholesterolaemia and inflammation in atherosclerosis: Translating experimental targets into clinical practice

Jose Tunon*, Magnus Back, Lina Badimon, Marie-Luce Bochaton-Piallat, Bertrand Cariou, Mat J. Daemen, Jesus Egido, Paul C. Evans, Sheila E. Francis, Daniel F. J. Ketelhuth, Esther Lutgens, Christian M. Matter, Claudia Monaco, Sabine Steffens, Erik Stroes, Cecile Vindis, Christian Weber, Imo E. Hoefer, ESC Working Grp Atherosclerosis

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Dyslipidaemia and inflammation are closely interconnected in their contribution to atherosclerosis. In fact, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-lowering drugs have anti-inflammatory effects. The Canakinumab Antiinflammatory Thrombosis Outcome Study (CANTOS) has shown that interleukin (IL)-1 blockade reduces the incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with previous myocardial infarction and C-reactive protein levels >2mg/L. These data confirm the connection between lipids and inflammation, as lipids activate the Nod-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome that leads to IL-1 activation. LDL-lowering drugs are the foundation of cardiovascular prevention. Now, the CANTOS trial demonstrates that combining them with IL-1 blockade further decreases the incidence of cardiovascular events. However, both therapies are not at the same level, given the large evidence showing that LDL-lowering drugs reduce cardiovascular risk as opposed to only one randomized trial of IL-1 blockade. In addition, IL-1 blockade has only been studied in patients with C-reactive protein >2mg/L, while the benefit of LDL-lowering is not restricted to these patients. Also, lipid-lowering drugs are not harmful even at very low ranges of LDL, while anti-inflammatory therapies may confer a higher risk of developing fatal infections and sepsis. In the future, more clinical trials are needed to explore whether targeting other inflammatory molecules, both related and unrelated to the IL-1 pathway, reduces the cardiovascular risk. In this regard, the ongoing trials with methotrexate and colchicine may clarify whether the cardiovascular benefit of IL-1 blockade extends to other anti-inflammatory mechanisms. A positive result would represent a major change in the future treatment of atherosclerosis.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)948-955
Number of pages8
JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology
Volume25
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2018

Keywords

  • Lipids
  • inflammation
  • immune response
  • atherosclerosis
  • interleukin-1
  • canakinumab
  • C-REACTIVE PROTEIN
  • FACTOR-KAPPA-B
  • RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED-TRIAL
  • CORONARY-ARTERY-DISEASE
  • CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS
  • RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS
  • MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES
  • SECONDARY ANALYSIS
  • NATIONWIDE COHORT
  • STATIN THERAPY

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