Insights into the Role of Inflammation in the Management of Atherosclerosis

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is the biological basis of ischemic heart disease and ischemic stroke, the leading causes of death in the world. After decades of studies, the understanding of atherosclerosis has evolved dramatically, and inflammation has been recognized as one of the most relevant pillars in all phases of atherosclerotic disease. Nevertheless, only recently, the trial CANTOS, and subsequent outcome studies with colchicine, finally provided proof-of-concept evidence that anti-inflammatory therapies were able to reduce cardiovascular events with no influence on lipid levels. These landmark studies inaugurated an era of clinical and pre-clinical studies of immunomodulatory strategies focused on reduction of cardiovascular risk. Although there are promising results in the field, selection of the most appropriate immunomodulatory therapy and identification of patients who could benefit the most, are still enormous challenges. Further research is imperative before we can finally advance towards regular use of anti-inflammatory agents to reduce atherosclerotic events in our clinical practice.

Keywords:

• inflammation
• atherosclerosis
• anti-inflammatory therapies
• cardiovascular risk

Disclosure

Dr Viviane Zorzanelli Rocha reports personal fees from Amgen, personal fees from Novartis, personal fees from NovoNordisk, personal fees from Astra Zeneca, personal fees from Aché, personal fees from GSK, personal fees from BIOLAB outside the submitted work. Dr Marcio Hiroshi Miname reports personal fees from NovoNordisk, personal fees from Aché, personal fees from Amgen, outside the submitted work. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.