A drug that targets epigenetic proteins, aimed at boosting so-called “good” cholesterol levels, showed positive signs in Phase II clinical trial, its maker Resverlogix Corporation announced yesterday (August 28).
The therapy is intended to improve upon statins, which reduce the levels of “bad” cholesterol, or low density lipoprotein (LDL), but do not increase the levels of the beneficial high density lipoprotein (HDL). Trial results showed that the drug RVX-208 from Resverlogix was able to increase HDL levels in treated patients. Pfizer’s torcetrapib also attempted to increase HDL levels, but that compound failed in Phase III trials, when treated patients died from heart disease more frequently than untreated patients, according to Nature.
Resverlogix’s drug targets bromodomain proteins, which detect epigenetic modifications on histone proteins and recruits additional proteins to the site. As a result, the cells produce more Apo-A1, the main component of HDL, which helps remove atherosclerotic plaques already formed. ...
