Affiliations: Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Cardiovascular
Institute, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences,
Guangzhou, China | Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated
Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
Note: [] Corresponding author: Yingling Zhou, Department of Cardiology,
Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong
Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China. Tel.: +86 20 83827812; Fax: +86
20 83827812; E-mail: drcacocolacai@gmail.com
Abstract: Atherosclerosis and its manifestations namely cardiovascular
diseases (CVD) are still the leading cause of morbidity and mortality
worldwide. Although intensified interventions have been applied, the residual
cardiovascular (CV) risks are still very high. Lipoprotein-associated
phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA_2) is a novel and unique biomarker
highly specific for vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis. Both
pro-atherogenic property of Lp-PLA_2 and positive
correlation with CV events have already been demonstrated by a large number of
scientific and clinical studies. Currently, in the Adult Treatment Panel III
(ATP III) guideline, Lp-PLA_2 has been recommended as an
adjunct to traditional risk factors in assessing future CV risks.
Encouragingly, darapladib, an orally Lp-PLA_2 specific
inhibitor, has been tested in basic research and preclinical trials and the
outcomes are quite striking. Additionally, there are two phase III ongoing
clinical trials in evaluating the efficacy and safety of darapladib on
cardiovascular outcomes. With regard to the potential values of
Lp-PLA_2 in risk stratification, therapeutic regimen
establishment and prognosis evaluation in patients with moderate or high risk,
our present review is going to summarize the relevant data about the
bio-chemical characteristics of Lp-PLA_2, the actions of
Lp-PLA_2 on atherosclerosis and the results of
Lp-PLA_2 in scientific research and clinical studies.
