A glimpse at HDL-based therapy for atherosclerosis.

The recent report of a high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-based treatment that reduced atherosclerotic plaques may be the first example of a new approach that is complementary to existing therapies, such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) lowering. The treatment - infusion of a recombinant form of a naturally occurring mutant human apolipoprotein called apoA-I Milano -reduced atherosclerotic plaque volume in just 6 weeks. While follow-up replication studies involving more patients and examination of clinical end points are essential, this pilot study indicated that the atherosclerotic process can be altered by a therapy based specifically on modification of HDL.