Future Strategies

What if RNA silencing held the key to managing refractory, extremely high triglycerides?

A male in a blue sports jacket and khakis smiling while walking to the side.

siRNA may offer a way to manage extremely high triglycerides

Silencing mRNA can block the transcription of specific genes. Depending on the disease, a targeted approach to RNA silencing may have a therapeutic effect. The use of small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a compelling approach to RNA silencing that has shown success in treating several diseases in clinical trials.

See how siRNA works to silence mRNA

Double-stranded siRNA molecule attached to protein complex.

Icon of a DNA helix.
Stability

siRNA is double-stranded and resists degradation in its journey into the cell.
A double-stranded RNA molecule, likely siRNA, located in the cytoplasm.

Icon of an arrow surrounded by a circle.
Efficiency

siRNA works directly in the cytoplasm, at the site of translation.
RISC complex interacting with mRNA, demonstrating gene silencing.

Durability

siRNA remains bound to ribonucleic acid-induced silencing complex (RISC) and is remarkably stable inside the cell.
RISC complex surrounded by siRNA molecules, representing gene silencing.

Icon of a recycling symbol.
Potency

The recycled siRNA-RISC complex can repeatedly target multiple mRNA copies.  

We’ll get there [soon]

Imagine if we could reduce the risk of acute pancreatitis

Guidelines consistently establish <500 mg/dL as the goal of triglycerides management.

There are few options to keep triglycerides in check

For some people, traditional triglyceride-lowering therapies and intensive dieting are not enough to lower levels and reduce acute pancreatitis risk.

Show References

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  3. Watts GF, Rosenson RS, Hegele RA, et al. Plozasiran for Managing Persistent Chylomicronemia and Pancreatitis Risk. N Engl J Med. Published online September 2, 2024.  
  4. Dowdy SF. Overcoming cellular barriers for RNA therapeutics. Nat Biotechnol. 2017;35(3):222-229.  
  5. de Brito E Cunha D, Frederico ABT, Azamor T, et al. Biotechnological Evolution of siRNA Molecules: From Bench Tool to the Refined Drug. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2022;15(5):575. Published 2022 May 5.  
  6. Springer AD, Dowdy SF. GalNAc-siRNA Conjugates: Leading the Way for Delivery of RNAi Therapeutics. Nucleic Acid Ther. 2018;28(3):109-118. 
  7. Gareri C, Polimeni A, Giordano S, Tammè L, Curcio A, Indolfi C. Antisense Oligonucleotides and Small Interfering RNA for the Treatment of Dyslipidemias. J Clin Med. 2022;11(13):3884. Published 2022 Jul 4. 
  8. Chait A. Hypertriglyceridemia. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2022;51(3):539-555. 
  9. Grundy SM, Stone NJ, Bailey AL, et al. 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA guideline on the management of blood cholesterol: executive summary: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2019;139(25):e1046-e1081. 
  10. Handelsman Y, Jellinger PS, Guerin CK, et al. Consensus statement by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology on the management of dyslipidemia and prevention of cardiovascular disease algorithm – 2020 executive summary. Endocr Pract. 2020;26(10):1196-1224. 
  11. Virani SS, Morris PB, Agarwala A, et al. 2021 ACC Expert consensus decision pathway on the management of ASCVD risk reduction in patients with persistent hypertriglyceridemia: a report of the American College of Cardiology Solution Set Oversight Committee. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2021;78(9):960-993. 
  12.  Jacobson TA, Ito MK, Maki KC, et al. National lipid association recommendations for patient-centered management of dyslipidemia: part 1–full report. J Clin Lipidol. 2015;9(2):129-169. 
  13. Shamsudeen I, Hegele RA. Safety and efficacy of therapies for chylomicronemia. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2022;15(4):395-405.
  14. Williams L, Rhodes KS, Karmally W, et al. Familial chylomicronemia syndrome: Bringing to life dietary recommendations throughout the life span. J Clin Lipidol. 2018;12(4):908-919.