Drug 'shuts off' gene stopping clearing of cholesterol

According to a study by The Lancet medical journal a new drug designed to lower "bad" cholesterol using advanced gene-silencing involved:

• The drug employs a concept known as RNA interference (RNAi). Small pieces of the genetic molecule RNA are used to shut off a particular gene by interfering with its coded instructions.

• In this case, the gene in question produces a protein called PCSK9 that reduces the body's ability to clear away harmful cholesterol naturally.
• Researchers conducting a pilot trial recruited 32 healthy volunteers aged 18 to 65 who all had mildly to moderately raised levels of LDL.

• They were randomly assigned either to receive injections of the new drug, or a non-active placebo in the form of a salt water solution.