AtheroCare has announced the results of a pioneering peer-reviewed study for Cavadex™. The study's findings highlight the efficacy of Cavadex™, 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD), in inducing rapid regression of atherosclerotic plaque and reducing hyperlipidemia in adults with cardiovascular conditions. Previously, this medication was used to treat elevated cholesterol in patients with Niemann-Pick type C disease. However, this is the first time it has been tested on patients with atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia, offering potential hope for millions affected by these life-threatening conditions.
Atherosclerosis, the leading cause of vascular disease worldwide, involves the development of plaques within arteries, which narrows and stiffens them over time. Caused by a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, atherosclerosis leads to heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events. Reversing these changes has long been the "holy grail" of vascular disease, as most current treatments focus on slowing plaque growth.
The study, conducted by clinical professionals at Griffith University and the Gold Coast University Hospital, explored the impact of HPβCD on an adult patient with advanced cardiovascular disease. The results were promising. After administering HPβCD to a 58-year-old patient with a history of ischemic heart disease (who had previously received five stents) for 48 days at varying dosages, there was a significant reduction in plaque sizes within the carotid artery. The patient also experienced marked improvements in their lipid profile, with triglycerides falling by 75.5%, total cholesterol by 61.3%, and LDL cholesterol by 59.5%.
The full study has been published in the Journal of Cardiology Research and Cardiovascular Medicine, providing detailed insights into these findings.
Study:1 https://www.gavinpublishers.com/article/view/2-hydroxypropyl--cyclodextrin-induces-rapid--regression-of-atherosclerotic-plaque-and-reduces--hyperlipidaemia-in-adult-with-cardiovascular-disease
Study: 2 https://www.gavinpublishers.com/article/view/2-hydroxypropyl--cyclodextrin-reduces-atherosclerotic-plaques-in-human-coronary-artery
With vascular disease rates climbing globally, these results offer an exciting new treatment option. In 2019, cardiovascular disease accounted for an estimated 17.9 million deaths—32% of all global deaths—according to the World Health Organization (WHO). For years, doctors have relied on palliative treatments that address symptoms without targeting the underlying cause. Now, HPβCD has the potential to revolutionize care by reversing arterial damage and directly combating vascular disease.
HPβCD belongs to a family of compounds known as cyclodextrins. It is believed that it impacts cholesterol uptake, leading to rapid reductions in plaque size. The removal of cholesterol likely reduces levels of chemical molecules that regulate the inflammatory response, further minimizing plaque risks. Previous trials demonstrated a decline in chest pain (angina) after administering HPβCD, and this study adds to the growing body of evidence.
The future implications of HPβCD are far-reaching. With heart attacks, strokes, and vascular disease causing a significant proportion of global mortality and morbidity, the potential to reverse plaque formation is revolutionary. Further research on larger patient populations is needed to confirm these findings. However, for now,
AtheroCare offers a beacon of hope in the fight against one of the world’s deadliest diseases.
About AtheroCare
AtheroCare is an Australian company at the forefront of combating cardiovascular disease. It provides information and resources aimed at reducing the global burden of vascular disease.
