Synapse
⌘+K
Synapse
PulseExploreClubsResearchersJournals
Instagram
HomeClubsExplore
September 19, 2026Current Opinion in Lipidology

Gene and epigenetic therapies favorably reduce ANGPTL3, PCSK9, LDL-C, and triglycerides in early clinical trials.

View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share

Why the study?

Many therapies for dyslipidemia are limited by suboptimal long-term adherence, prompting exploration of gene editing and epigenetic therapies.

Do gene editing therapies reduce lipid and lipoprotein risk factors in patients with dyslipidemia?

Population

Patients with dyslipidemia and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk factors

Comparison

Gene editing, base editing, and epigenomic editing therapies targeting ANGPTL3 and PCSK9

Design

Narrative review

Key result

Gene editing and epigenetic therapies for dyslipidemia demonstrate favorable reductions in ANGPTL3, PCSK9, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides in early phase clinical evaluation.

Authors

SNStephen J. Nicholls

Discussion

Loading...

Member takes

Key expert perspectives

Captured external expert commentary on this paper, strongest first. Original sources are linked where available.

LLLuke LaffinPreventive cardiologist, Cleveland Clinic

“These data, although early, really are appropriate to allow further development. But thinking about a one-time therapy that can lower LDL cholesterol by about 50% and triglycerides greater than 50% is exciting. It very well may overcome this issue of waning adherence to current [lipid-lowering] therapies.”

News Coverage
SNSteven NissenChief Academic Officer, Cleveland Clinic Heart Institute

“The ability to safely edit an individual's genome to permanently reduce atherogenic lipoproteins could overcome the significant challenge of waning adherence to current lipid-lowering therapies that require chronic administration. Although it is early in the study of gene-editing therapies, the efficacy shown in this phase 1 trial is quite promising and represents a new frontier for drug development.”

News Coverage
SNStephen NichollsCardiologist, Victorian Heart Institute, Monash University

“ongoing surveillance will be essential to assess the persistence of safety and lipid-lowering efficacy of CTX310.”

News Coverage

Overview

Should not yet change dyslipidemia practice; leaves open gene editing's role pending larger trials.

Key Points

  • To summarize the therapeutic potential and clinical progress of gene, base, and epigenomic editing for targeting causal lipid and lipoprotein risk factors in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
  • Narrative review synthesizing recent advances in genomic engineering platforms, including CRISPR gene editing, base editing, and epigenomic editing.
  • Evaluation of early-phase human clinical trials targeting dyslipidemia-associated genes, primarily ANGPTL3 and PCSK9.
  • Targeted editing achieves notable reductions in ANGPTL3 and PCSK9 expression, resulting in downstream decreases in circulating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides.
  • Therapies demonstrate favorable short-term safety and tolerability in early clinical evaluation, with adverse events largely restricted to mild-to-moderate infusion reactions.

Structured PICO

Do gene editing therapies reduce lipid and lipoprotein risk factors in patients with dyslipidemia?

P
Population
Patients with dyslipidemia and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk factors
I
Intervention
Gene editing, base editing, and epigenomic editing therapies (including CRISPR) targeting ANGPTL3 and PCSK9
O
Outcome
Reductions in ANGPTL3, PCSK9, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceridessurrogate

Gene editing therapies targeting ANGPTL3 and PCSK9 show early promise for robust and durable reductions in atherogenic lipids, though further clinical trials are needed.

Limitations

  • Requires further evaluation in clinical trials to determine how these agents will enter clinical practice

Cite This Study

Stephen J. Nicholls (2026) conducted a review in dyslipidemia. Gene editing and epigenetic therapy was evaluated. Gene editing and epigenetic therapies for dyslipidemia demonstrate favorable reductions in ANGPTL3, PCSK9, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides in early phase clinical evaluation.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aae47640c69660b71ecc6b9https://doi.org/10.1097/mol.0000000000001062
View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share