Targeting the adaptive immune system: new strategies in the treatment of atherosclerosis

Barbara Zarzycka, Gerry A. F. Nicolaes, Esther Lutgens*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is a lipid-driven chronic inflammatory disease of the arterial wall. Current treatment of atherosclerosis is focused on limiting its risk factors, such as hyperlipidemia or hypertension. However, treatments that target the inflammatory nature of atherosclerosis are still under development. Discovery of novel targets involved in the inflammation of the arterial wall creates opportunities to design new therapeutics that successfully modulate atherosclerosis. Here, we review drug targets that have proven to play pivotal roles in the adaptive immune system in atherosclerosis, and we discuss their potential as novel therapeutics.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)297-313
JournalExpert Review of Clinical Pharmacology
Volume8
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2015

Keywords

  • adaptive immune system
  • atherosclerosis
  • drug discovery
  • target identification

Cite this