Diagnosis and individual treatment of cardiovascular diseases: targeting vascular oxidative stress

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death and disability worldwide, yet we do not fully understand their underlying causes to reliably identify and treat, let alone prevent, these diseases. The majority of therapeutic approaches are symptom orientated, and current practice often follows a 'one-fits-all' approach. New strategies are needed, which harness the potential of individualized medicine with its three major pillars: in vitro diagnostics for early identification of individuals at risk and monitoring of drug efficacy; molecular imaging for disease localization and monitoring; and innovative, mechanism-based drugs. One so far untargeted mechanism of cardiovascular disease is oxidative stress, that is, the increased occurrence of reactive oxygen species in the vascular wall that leads to endothelial dysfunction. We outline why previous antioxidant supplements do not work and suggest an alternative approach targeting the enzymatic sources of oxidative stress and using emerging biomarkers of oxidative stress. These and similar approaches may be applied to fewer patients but in a much more individualized, effective and cost-saving manner.