US, China trials suggest a single nanodrug shot might stop bad cholesterol forever
Clinical trials in the US and China are testing a CRISPR-based nanodrug designed to permanently lower bad cholesterol levels. By targeting the ANGPTL3 gene, the single-injection therapy mimics a natural genetic mutation to reduce heart disease risk.
Why it matters
This could revolutionize cardiovascular medicine by replacing daily medication with a one-time, potentially lifelong genetic treatment.
Imagine swapping your daily cholesterol pill for a single injection that keeps “bad” cholesterol under control for a year, a decade – or even a lifetime.
Two clinical trials, one in the United States and another in China, suggest that this one-and-done approach could become a reality.
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), better known as “bad” cholesterol, is a major driver of heart disease – the leading cause of death worldwide. Triglycerides, another type of blood fat, add to the risk.
For millions of people, the standard fix is a daily statin pill.
Research led by the Cleveland Clinic in the US and carried out in Australia, New Zealand and Britain, tested a gene-editing nanodrug called CTX310 on 15 volunteers.
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