Abstract
Persistent risk of cardiovascular diseases despite using established medical therapies require additional therapeutic approach. Considerable attentions have focused on novel agents targeting high-density lipoprotein (HDL) because of its atheroprotecive functions. HDL has the abilities to promote reverse cholesterol transport and modify inflammatory, oxidative, apoptotic, and endothelial pathways. Numerous basic and preclinical studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of HDL targeting therapy on atherosclerosis. While recent clinical trials failed to prove favourable effect of HDL targeting therapies on cardiovascular outcomes, further search still continues to identify effective therapeutic approach targeting HDL due to its attractive anti-atherosclerotic properties. Recently, different types of agents modulating HDL have been developed and investigated or currently under clinical trial. Plaque imaging has been increasingly employed to evaluate the efficacy of these therapies because of its association with cardiovascular outcomes. This modality will further play an important role in the assessment of novel drugs modulating HDL in the future. The current article will review characteristics of HDL, its atheroprotective effects, HDL targeting therapies and its efficacy on atherosclerosis evaluated by plaque imaging modalities.
