Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0015695 (fatty liver)
 13,941 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) is a rare genetic disorder of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) metabolism resulting in extremely elevated serum levels of LDL-C and premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Treatment typically involves multiple pharmacologic agents, as well as mechanical filtration using weekly or biweekly LDL apheresis. Despite combination lipid-lowering therapy, LDL-C levels and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality remain unacceptably high in HoFH patients. The European Commission and the US Food and Drug Administration approved the use of lomitapide, a novel medication designed to address this significant unmet need. Lomitapide is an orally administered inhibitor of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein that is indicated as an adjunct to a low-fat diet and other lipid-lowering treatments, including LDL apheresis where available for the reduction of LDL-C, total cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in adult patients with HoFH. The risks of transaminase elevations, hepatic steatosis, and gastrointestinal side effects, and the potential for drug interactions, require vigilant examination of the clinical and laboratory data and patient counseling prior to initiation of lomitapide, as well as regular monitoring during follow-up care. This article highlights important practical considerations for the use of lomitapide in the context of the evaluation and management of a HoFH patient case.
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PMID:Lomitapide for the management of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. 2505 Nov 28

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH) is an inherited disease causing an approximately fourfold increase in blood low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) from birth compared with the age-matched normal population owing to reduced low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) activity. Such elevated cholesterol is associated with accelerated atheromatous disease, particularly of the aortic root and coronary arteries. However, HoFH is clinically heterogeneous, reflecting residual low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) activity. The main objective in treating children may be stated to be the avoidance of irreversible cardiac damage requiring heart transplantation by sufficient lowering of blood cholesterol. Lipoprotein apheresis or plasmapheresis are safe means of lowering cholesterol but may be insufficient on their own. Statin drugs, PCSK9 inhibitors ezetimibe and bile acid sequestrants are relatively ineffective if LDLR activity is lacking, but should be used if effective. Two new drugs, lomitapide and mipomersen, have been licensed specifically for HoFH by some regulatory authorities. They work by reducing LDL production rate. They have been associated with fatty liver in adults. Evidence of safety in children is lacking. An alternative is liver transplantation, which replaces the missing LDLR and normalises cholesterol. Clinicians are faced with a dilemma in choosing between these options or deferring such treatment associated with potential harm. Individual case descriptions are an important means of informing clinical judgement. Management of the two cases described in this issue is discussed in the light of modern developments in transplantation and pharmacotherapy.
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PMID:Homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia: update on management. 2796 28