Pro protein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors Pharmacological review and update

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The direct relationship between cholesterol levels lipoprotein low density and atherosclerosis has led to optimize efforts to regulate and control this lipoprotein sub-fraction. The discovery of the pro protein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) as regulator receptor low-density lipoprotein in liver and therefore circulating levels of cholesterol bound to low density lipoprotein, triggered an unusual effort to reduce its plasma concentration. Inhibition of PCSK9 through monoclonal antibodies, it has proved to be a pharmacologic strategy with a broad safety profile and high efficacy in the phase 3 trials. This has led to approval by several regulatory entities in certain specific groups, such as patients with familial hypercholesterolemia and patients in secondary prevention who not reaching goals with the pharmacological tools available. Pending results of clinical events, the aim of this article is to review the pharmacological aspects of the inhibitors of PCSK9.