Therapeutics:Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9)
Rat and monkey studies suggest virus-like particles (VLPs) displaying a human PCSK9 peptide could help treat hypercholesterolemia. In rats, a vaccine based on VLPs displaying peptide PCSK9(207-223) decreased total cholesterol by 55%, which was more potent than VLP-based vaccines displaying other PCSK9 peptides or a control vaccine based on non-peptide-displaying VLPs. Also in rats, the PCSK9(207-223)-based vaccine decreased serum levels of free cholesterol, lipids, phospholipids and triglycerides compared with the control. In macaques, the PCSK9 vaccine plus an alum adjuvant decreased serum levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol compared with the control, and the PCSK9-based vaccine plus simvastatin decreased serum levels of LDL cholesterol compared with simvastatin alone. Next steps include testing combinations of vaccines based on VLPs displaying different PCSK9 peptides in rats and macaques. ...