Inclisiran shows promise in reducing LDL cholesterol

A new meta-analysis published in JACC: Advances highlights the efficacy of inclisiran, an innovative drug utilizing small interfering RNA (siRNA) technology to treat high LDL cholesterol.

Unlike statins, which reduce cholesterol synthesis in the liver, inclisiran works by inhibiting the production of the PCSK9 protein. This process increases the number of LDL receptors in liver cells, allowing for more efficient removal of cholesterol from the bloodstream. The study, which included nine randomized clinical trials with over 6,300 participants, found that inclisiran achieved an average LDL cholesterol reduction of approximately 49% compared to a placebo.

This benefit was observed regardless of whether patients were already taking statins or other lipid-lowering therapies. A significant advantage of the treatment is its dosing schedule: following an initial subcutaneous injection and a second dose at three months, patients require only one injection every six months. This infrequent dosing may improve patient compliance compared to daily statin regimens. Inclisiran is intended as a complementary option for high-risk patients who do not reach therapeutic goals with maximum tolerated statin doses, rather than a replacement for statins.