Immunotherapy for the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: Promise and possibilities

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease being the largest contributor. The mechanisms behind the presence and progression of atherosclerosis remain an area of intense scientific focus. Immune dysregulation and inflammation are key contributors to the development of an atherosclerotic plaque and its progression to acute coronary syndromes. Increased circulating levels of biomarkers of systemic inflammation including hsCRP are correlated with a higher cardiovascular risk. Targeting specific inflammatory pathways implicated in atherosclerotic plaque formation is an exciting area of ongoing research. Target specific therapies directed at pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, and CCL2 have demonstrated slowing in the progression of atherosclerosis in animal models and improved cardiovascular outcomes in human subjects. Most notably, treatment with the monoclonal antibody canakinumab, which directly targets and neutralizes IL-1β, was recently shown to be associated with reduced risk of adverse cardiovascular events compared to placebo in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Several other therapies including colchicine, methotrexate and leukotriene inhibitors demonstrate the potential for lowering cardiovascular risk through immunomodulation, though further studies are needed. Understanding the role of inflammation in atherosclerosis and the development of targeted immunotherapies continues to be an evolving area of research that is rapidly becoming clinically relevant for the 21st century cardiac patient.