Effects of a medication on the growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms
Impact of PCSK9 inhibition on abdominal aortic aneurysm pathobiology and growth
This study is looking at whether a medication that lowers cholesterol can help prevent the growth of small abdominal aortic aneurysms in older adults, and it’s for people who have this condition and want to explore new treatment options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11014326 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how inhibiting a specific protein, PCSK9, may affect the growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) in older adults. The study will analyze genetic data to understand the relationship between cholesterol levels and AAA growth, and it will also involve a clinical trial where participants will receive either the medication or a placebo. By focusing on individuals with small AAAs, the research aims to determine if lowering cholesterol can prevent the aneurysms from expanding. This could lead to new treatment options for a condition that currently has no effective medical therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 65 and older who have been diagnosed with small abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have abdominal aortic aneurysms or are younger than 65 years old may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new medical treatment to prevent the growth and rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysms, potentially saving lives.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in using PCSK9 inhibitors for lowering cholesterol, but this specific application to AAA growth is novel.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Damrauer, Scott Michael — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Damrauer, Scott Michael
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.