Research advances in current drugs targeting hyperlipidemia (Review)

Hyperlipidemia is a disorder of lipid metabolism. With rapid economic development, unhealthy diets and lack of exercise, the incidence of hyperlipidemia has been increasing year by year. In adults, hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, especially atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and the current goal of treating hyperlipidemia is to prevent and manage ASCVD. In terms of etiology, hyperlipidemia is divided into primary and secondary types. Common primary hyperlipidemias include familial hypercholesterolemia, mixed familial hyperlipidemia, type III hyperlipoproteinemia and familial chylomicronemia syndrome. In addition to statins, ezetimibe and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors, a number of new and emerging drugs for lowering cholesterol and triglycerides are being developed to regulate lipid levels and prevent cardiovascular diseases. The present review summarized the classification and composition of lipoproteins, the pathogenesis of common primary hyperlipidemias, secondary factors affecting dyslipidemia, modern common lipid‑lowering drugs and the latest clinical progress in emerging lipid‑lowering therapies.