Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Atherosclerosis and Current Advances in Targeted Therapeutics.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review without systematic methodology or primary empirical data.
PubMed 41596290 · doi:10.3390/ijms27020634
What was done
This narrative review summarizes molecular mechanisms underlying atherosclerosis, including lipid metabolism, endothelial dysfunction, vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic switching, extracellular matrix remodeling, and genetic/epigenetic regulation. It also outlines established and emerging targeted therapies, ranging from lipid-lowering agents and anti-inflammatory drugs to siRNA, gene editing, and nanoparticle-based delivery systems.
What was found
The abstract provides a qualitative mechanistic summary of vascular pathology and therapeutic classes; no quantitative effect sizes, patient counts, or empirical numerical findings are reported.
Why it matters
Synthesizing the molecular and cellular drivers of plaque development helps contextualize non-lipid therapeutic strategies, such as targeting specific inflammatory pathways and RNA regulators, for future precision cardiovascular interventions.
Limits
As a narrative review, it lacks a systematic literature search protocol, formal quality appraisal of included studies, and original clinical or experimental data. No specific treatment efficacy metrics or safety endpoints are provided.
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