Familial hypercholesterolemia:Current limitations and future breakthroughs

Familial hypercholesterolemia(FH)is characterized by elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels due to genetic mutations,presenting with xanthomas,corneal arch,and severe cardiovascular diseases.Early identification,diagnosis,and treatment are crucial to prevent severe complications like acute myocardial infarction.Statins are the primary treatment,supplemented by Ezetimibe and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors,though their effectiveness can be limited in severe cases.Over 90%of FH cases remain undiagnosed,and current treatments are often inadequate,underscoring the need for improved diagnostic and management systems.Future strategies include advancements in gene testing,precision medicine,and novel drugs,along with gene therapy approaches like AAV-mediated gene therapy and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats.Lifestyle modifications,including health education,dietary control,and regular exercise,are essential for managing FH and preventing related diseases.Research into FH-related gene mutations,especially LDLR,is critical for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

Genetically confirmed familial hypercholesterolemia in outpatients with hypercholesterolemia

Background Familial hypercholesterolemia （FH） is an autosomal dominant disorder of lipoprotein metabolism which can lead to premature coronary heart disease （pCHD）. There are about 3.8 million potential FH patients in China, whereas the clinical and genetic data of FH are limited. Methods Dutch Lipid Clinic Network （DLCN） criteria was used to diagnose FH in outpatients with hypercholesterolemia. Resequencing chip analysis combined with Sanger sequencing validation were used to identify mutations in the definite FH patients according to DLCN criteria. In silico analysis was conducted in mutations with previously unknown pathogenicity. Then, the novel mutant receptors were transfected into human embryo kidney 293 （HEK-293） cells. The binding and the internalization activities of the mu- tant receptors were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results The prevalence of definite FH in outpatients with hypercholesterolemia in this study is 3.2%. Using genetic testing, one homozygous FH （HoFH）, one heterozygous FH （HeFH） and three compound heterozygous FH patients were confirmed. Eight mutations in low-density lipoprotein receptor （LDLR） gene were identified, in which c.357delG was a novel mutation and co-segregated with the FH phenotype. Bioinformatic analysis confirmed that c.357delG was a pathogenic mutation. Furthermore, when compared with the wild-type LDLRs by flow eytometry analysis, the binding and internalization activities of c.357delG mutant LDLRs were reduced by 35% and 49%, respectively. Conclusions This study identified eight LDLR gene mutations in five patients with definite FH, in which c.357delG is a novel pathogenic mutation. These findings increase our understanding of the genetic spectrum of FH in China.

Ezetimibe Completely Replaced LDL-Apheresis for the Treatment of Familial Hypercholesterolemia and Coronary Artery Disease after CABG—A Case Report

Intensive treatment of hyperlipidemia is an important factor in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Among several therapies, statins are well recognized as playing a central role, although low density lipoprotein bound cholesterol-apheresis can be used to treat very severe cases of familial hypercholesterolemia. However, statins are not always effective on their own and, recently, ezetimibe has emerged as a unique anti- hypercholesterolemic drug that acts as a cholesterol transporter inhibitor;its role is only partially understood. I experienced rare case that appeared to benefit from ezetimibe therapy, and report them as they help increase our knowledge of this novel drug.

Characterization of coronary atherosclerotic plaques in a homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia visualized by optical coherence tomography

Familial hypercholesterolemia(FH)is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder,which resulted in severe elevations in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)and a markedly increased risk of early-onset coronary disease.[1]t is most frequently caused by loss-of-function mutations in genes affecting the LDL receptor,which clears LDL particles from plasma.

Clinical,biochemical and genetic characteristics of familial hypercholesterolemia with and without type 2 diabetes

Background Though type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is an important and independent risk factor for coronary artery disease(CAD)in general population,whether this feature also exists in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia(FH)is less determined.The current study aims to characterize the clinical,laboratory,coronary and genetic characteristics of the FH patients with T2DM compared with FH alone.

Accelerated Atherosclerosis in a Young Female with Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Familial hypercholesterolemia is an autosomal dominant genetic disease due to mutation in low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol receptor gene. It is characterized by elevated plasma low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and the consequence of which leads to premature cardiovascular disease. The mainstay in the management of familial hypercholesterolemia patient is the treatment with high potency statin. However, current research shows influence of the type of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol receptor mutations on severity of the cardiovascular disease, lipid profile, and response to statin treatment. We are here presenting a case of young Indian female patient who was diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia and treated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in view of double vessel disease in the third decade of her life. She was prescribed with statin therapy for elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. After 3 years, she presented once again with a triple vessel disease along with patent stented segments and abnormal lipid profile.

Familial Hypercholesterolemia with Two Mutations in LDLR Gene: A Case Report and Literature Review

We report a case of Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) with two mutations in low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene and speculate the correlation between the newly discovered mutation type of LDLR gene and FH. We collected and analyzed the clinical data of the proband in the case and her immediate family members, and detected the LDLR, Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK-9) and Apolipoprotein B (Apo B) gene in the peripheral blood of all the participants. We found that the curative effect of the patient is limited, but no obvious complication was detected. Genetic testing results pointed out that there were two mutations in the patient’s LDLR gene. One was p.W483* mutation in exon 10 (c. 1448 G > A), another was p.T534I mutation in exon 11 (c. 1601 C > T). The p. W483* mutation in exon 10 was detected in the father and sister, additionally p. T534I mutation in exon 11 was detected in the mother. Both the two LDLR gene mutations are inherited from her parents. We hypothesize that the patient in this case was a complex heterozygote. The newly discovered mutation gene (T534I) may be one of the important causes of dyslipidemia in patients, and its adverse effects are more serious than W483* which have been reported. Also, we predict that the T534I mutation will not cause serious early onset of cardiovascular complications.

Pleomorphic cutaneous xanthomas disclosing homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

Homoxygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia is characterized by a presence of several types of cutaneous xanthomas with an abnormal lipid profile. Some of these could be pathognomonic. Although these could be initially interpreted as isolated and localized benign disorders and offered surgical treatment, it has become increasingly clear that they could be a part of a systemic pathology. Here we describe a case of this rare disorder in a 19 years old non-obese young man who presented multiple, intertriginous, tuberous and tendinous xanthomas and had an associated abnormal lipid profile with elevated lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol levels. A detailed history with clinical assessment in the differential diagnosis and laboratory investigations led to a precise diagnosis.

Two cases of familial hypercholesterolemia with premature acute coronary syndrome:Case report

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of familial hypercholesterolemia and early-onset acute coronary syndrome(ACS),in order to improve the understanding and diagnosis and treatment of the disease.Methods:We retrospectively studied the clinical data of 2 patients with familial hypercholesterolemia and premature acute coronary syndrome treated in the Department of Cardiology,Tongji Hospital,Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology.All patients underwent genetic testing and coronary artery angiography.Results:Two patients were heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia by gene test.Coronary artery angiography showed that three coronary arteries had serious lesions,which recovered well after drug and surgical treatment.Conclusion:Patients with familial hypercholesterolemia were prone to early onset of acute coronary syndrome,which should be identified,diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.

The Prevalence of Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia among Adult Filipino Patients with Dyslipidemia at Universidad de Santa Isabel Health Services Department: An Observational Descriptive Prospective Study

Objectives: It is to determine the prevalence of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) among adult Filipino patients with dyslipidemia at Universidad de Santa Isabel Health Services Department in one year. Methods: An observational descriptive prospective study involves Filipino patients, aged 19 years and older, with dyslipidemia. The Dutch Lipid Network (DLN) Criteria was used to diagnose FH. Prevalence data and categorical variables were expressed as percentages, while continuous variables were reported as mean and standard deviations. Results: 529 patients were included in the study. 302 were females, and 227 were males. 180 (34%) scored Unlikely, 100 (19%) scored Probable, 185 (35%) scored Possible, and 64 (12%) were classified under Definite Familial Hypercholesterolemia. Most of the patients diagnosed with definite FH did not have diabetes, cerebrovascular disease (CVD), and coronary artery disease (CAD). The diagnosis was not affected by gender, BMI, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Hypertension was significantly correlated to the diagnosis of FH, as most of them were already hypertensive at diagnosis. It was noted that hypertension, diabetes, CVD, and CAD were seen at an earlier age among patients with definite FH. Conclusion: The prevalence of heterozygous FH at 12% among dyslipidemia patients and 1.3% among the general population was described for the first time in our region. This result should raise the awareness of our healthcare providers that FH, which is a major risk factor for premature CAD and CVD, exists, and early detection and management are important.

A Pedigree Analysis of a Family With Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Objective The current study was designed to investigate the features of a family with familial hypercholesterolemia(FH). Methods Twenty members of three generations in a family with FH were enrolled in the study. The data collected were from clinical observation and subjected to pedigree analysis. Results The proband was a 41 years old male who suffered from angina pectoris with multi-vessel stenosis of coronary artery at the age of 40. Among 20 members, 8 individuals were demonstrated with hypercholes-terolemia in this family with the total incidence of 40% [54.5% (6/11) in male and 22. 2% (2/9) in femaleThe serum total cholesterol level was elevated in childhood from 7. 1 to 10. 8 mmol/L and tended to be raised with increasing age. In addition, the level of total cholesterol was found to be elevated both in a monozy-gote twin brothers and their offspring in the family. Conclusion FH appears to be a hereditary disease of autosomal dominance inheritance and the outcome of FH patients with coronary heart disease seems to be poor in prognosis.

Familial Hypercholesterolemia in an Azorean Family:A Novel Mutation in the Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor Gene

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is one of the most prevalent autosomal dominant inherited disorders. Mutations have been found in at least 3 genes: the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), apolipoprotein B (APOB), and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). We report on an Azorean family with FH due to a novel mutation in the LDLR gene across three generations. The index-case was first seen at our endocrinology consultation at 12 years old, because of delayed growth and development. Laboratorial investigations revealed a complete failure of the anterior hypophysis due to a congenital malformation of the sella turcica. A total cholesterol of 313 mg/dL (90 - 190 mg/dL) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) of 262 mg/dL (<115 mg/dL) was found in routine blood tests. There was a paternal history of hypercholesterolemia, corneal arcus and myocardial infarction at an early age. Screening for mutations in LDLR gene was carried out. &#73n the affected cases, an intronic heterozygous point mutation (c.818-3C > G) causing a premature termination of transcription (stop codon) was identified.

Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia in Premature Atherosclerotic Patients Presenting with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background: Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder with an estimated prevalence of 1/200 - 1/500 in the general population. Early identification of patient with familial hypercholesterolemia is important, because appropriate treatment may reduce the risk of premature atherosclerosis. Objective: Assessment of the prevalence of different modifiable cardiovascular risk factors and clinical diagnosis of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Methods: One hundred patients were enrolled, included young patients (males less than 50 years and females less than 60 years old) presented with first attack of acute coronary syndrome either ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) or unstable angina (UA). All patients were subjected to full history taking, general and local examination, Electrocardiogram, transthoracic Echocardiography, laboratory investigations, coronary angiography and Dutch score calculation for familial hyperlipidemias. Results: The mean level of serum cholesterol among studied group was 268.31 ± 59.33, HDL-C was 39.63 ± 7.52, LDL was 192.27 ± 60.61 and TG was 180.10 ± 39.64. With application of Dutch score, 20% of patients diagnosed definite familial hypercholesterolemia with Dutch score > 8. Twenty-six percent of patients diagnosed as probable familial hypercholesterolemia with Dutch score 6 - 8. Thirty-nine percent patients diagnosed as possible familial hypercholesterolemia with Dutch score 3 - 5 and 15% of patients were unlikely familial hypercholesterolemia with Dutch score < 3 with significant correlation between Dutch score and age, total cholesterol, LDL-C, serum creatinine. Conclusion: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is one of the most common serious genetic disorders of cholesterol metabolism. The early identification of heterogynous FH patients is crucial to start an effective prevention strategy.

Imaging the Atherosclerosis with 64-Detector Row Computed Tomography in Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Objective: The higher risk and fatality of cardiovascular disease in subjects with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia warrants early screening. Computed tomography angiography is the most promising method at present as a reliable and reproducible noninvasive diagnostic test of cardiovascular disease. We aimed to describe the 64-slice multidetector computed tomography coronary angiography findings of new cases with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Methods: Four patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (2 female and 2 male) with mean age of 23 ± 9 years were included. Mean plasma total and LDL cholesterol were 654 ± 75 mg/dl and 609 ± 76 mg/dl. Tomography examinations were performed using a 64-row MDCT-CA system (Brilliance Computed Tomography scanner, Philips Healthcare). Results: All patients presented calcified and mixed atherosclerotic plaques in the ascending aorta near the origin of the coronary arteries. More extensive atherosclerosis was found in Case 1 and Case 2 than in other cases. Case 3 has mild atherosclerosis and Case 4 had normal coronaries but plaques in aorta. In addition, we detected myocardial bridging in left anterior descending artery of 2 cases, calcified plaques in postero-lateral branch artery, and calcification in non-coronary sinus in others. Conclusion: Multidetector computed tomography coronary angiography is a useful, non-invasive tool for detecting early aortic and coronary atherosclerosis in homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia subjects and may be the choice of imaging for most of such subjects.

Analysis of SMOC2 gene variants in familial and nonfamilial primary open angle glaucoma Pakistani patients

AIM:To find out the association of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine(SPARC)-related modular calcium binding 2(SMOC2)gene variants rs2255680 and rs13208776 with genotypic and phenotypic characteristics in both familial and non-familial primary open angle glaucoma(POAG)patients.METHODS:A total of 212 POAG patients,comprising 124 familial and 88 non-familial,were enrolled.For genotyping the SMOC2 variant rs2255680,amplification refractory mutation system(ARMS)-polymerase chain reaction(PCR)method and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP)were utilized for analyzing rs13208776 variant.RESULTS:The mean age of familial POAG patients was 50.92±9.12y,with 78 males and 46 females.The mean age of non-familial POAG patients was 53.14±13.44y,with 52 males and 36 females.The SMOC2 gene variant rs13208776 showed the significant association with POAG between familial and non-familial groups.The homozygous G/G variant was frequent among non-familial(60.2%)whereas the heterozygous G/A variant was more frequent in familial POAG patients(46%).There were significant differences in G/A variant between familial and non-familial glaucoma patients,and the risk was decreased to 0.53-fold in non-familial glaucoma patients[odds ratio(OR):0.53;95%confidence interval(CI):0.29-0.94;P=0.033]in codominant model.The risk was further reduced to 0.49-fold(95%CI:0.28-0.86;P=0.012)in dominant model for non-familial patients.No significant association of SMOC2 gene variant rs2255680 between familial and non-familial glaucoma patients was found in our population.The haplotype analysis showed the decreased risk for TA[OR:0.48(95%CI:0.29-0.79);P=0.004]and an increased risk for TG[OR=2.28(95%CI:1.22-4.25);P=0.01]haplotypes.CONCLUSION:Current findings show significant association of SMOC2 gene variant rs13208776 with POAG between familial and non-familial Pakistani patients.

LDL-C rebound after long-term evolocumab treatment and intravascular imaging evidence in a familial hypercholesterolemia patient with early-onset myocardial infarction

Patients with familial hypercholesterolemia(FH)have elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)levels and are at high risk of premature cardiovascular disease.1 Heterozygous FH(HeFH)is one of the commonest genetic disorders,and is more frequent among those with ischemic heart disease(IHD),atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease(ASCVD)and premature IHD.

PML nuclear bodies:new players in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-frontotemporal dementia?

Amyotrophi c lateral s c lerosis(ALS)and frontotemporal dementia(FTD)are two closely related disorders with overlapping clinical,genetic,and neuropathological features,forming a continuous disease spectrum(Ling et al.,2013).The major pathological hallmark of ALS and FTD are the depletion from the nucleus of the RNA-binding proteins TAR DNA‐binding protein 43(TDP-43)and FUsed in Sarcoma(FUS)and their abnormal accumulation in ubiquitin-positive cytoplasmic inclusions(Ling et al.,2013).

Familial Forms of Spondyloarthritis Study of 100 Senegalese Multiplex Families

Introduction: Spondyloarthritis (SpA) comprises a group of chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases characterized by predominant axial involvement. These include ankylosing spondylitis (AS), reactive arthritis (ReA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), SAPHO syndrome (Synovitis, Acne, Pustulosis, Hyperostosis, and Osteitis), juvenile spondyloarthritis (JSPA), and undifferentiated SpA. Their exact cause is unknown but is believed to stem from a combination of factors. The first familial forms were described by de Blécourt et al. in 1961. The objective was to evaluate the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects of familial forms of SpA and in particular, to prove the severity of the disease in family members compared to index cases in the rheumatology department of the Aristide Le Dantec University Hospital in Dakar. Methodology: This was a prospective, cross-sectional and descriptive study with an analytical aim on patients with the familial form of spondyloarthritis defined by the existence of at least one other family member with SpA outside the propositus, collected within the Aristide Le Dantec rheumatology department in Dakar over a period of 10 years between January 2012 and December 2021. There were two phases of study, the first of which consisted of collecting index cases with miserly SpA and the second of which consisted of family screening after consent. The data analysed were epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic and evolving. Results: Out of 100 families of 1905 members, 667 SpA patients included, i.e. a prevalence of 35%, including 225 (33.73%) men and 412 women (61.17%), i.e. a ratio of 1.8. The mean age at diagnosis among relatives was 26.3 years (range 13 and 80 years), 47.14 years among the propositus, in whom the mean age at onset was 36.26 years and that of relatives 49.9 years in the first degree, 15 years in the second degree and 1 year in the third degree. The time to diagnosis was 11.20 years in the first degree, 2.5 years in the second degree, 1 year in the third degree and 10.88 years in the case of the proposes. The number of marriages in families was 420 of which 116 were consanguineous (consanguinity rate 27.62%), 19% among the propositus. HLA-B27 positive in 92% of the proposers and 33.43% in the families;70% of the propositus had an inflammatory syndrome and 17.54% in the families;87% of sacroilliitis in the propositus and 5.54% in the families. Clinical forms were dominated by undifferentiated SpA (338 cases) and APS (295 cases). The average BASFI was 3.23 on D0;2.59 in the 3rd month and 1 in the 6th month for the propositus versus 2.55 at D0;1.86 at the 3rd month and 1.55 in the 6th month in the families. Average BASDAI was 3.92 at D0;3.12 at the 3rd month and 2.07 at the 6th month in the propositus and 3 at D0;2.21 at the 3rd month and 1 at the 6th month in the families. Autoimmune associated conditions were 18 cases, degenerative 24 cases, autoinflammatory 2 metabolic cases 18 cases. They all received: NSAIDs, methotrexate, salazopyrine (11 cases) and anti-TNF-α (1 case). The evolution was generally favourable. Conclusion: SpA is on the rise in Senegalese hospitals, frequent in young people, SPA and undifferentiated SpA are the most frequent, management is essentially based on conventional care, and the disease is less severe in family members than index cases.

Development of immature ovarian teratoma after mature teratoma in a girl with familial ovarian teratoma:A case report

BACKGROUND Immature ovarian teratoma is a rare and aggressive neoplasm that affects young women.This report is the first to describe the development of immature teratoma after ovarian cystectomy for mature teratoma of the ovary in an adolescent female with a family history of ovarian teratoma.CASE SUMMARY A 16-year-old girl who had undergone bilateral ovarian cystectomy for mature teratomas 3 years ago showed bilateral adnexal tumors during her regular ultrasonography follow-up every 6 months.She received laparoscopic bilateral ovarian cystectomy,and final histopathology showed grade-1 immature teratoma of the left ovary and mature teratoma of the right ovary.Laparoscopic left salpingo-oophorectomy and staging procedures were performed again.Her mother,maternal aunt,and maternal grandmother had also received surgeries for mature ovarian teratomas.CONCLUSION It is important to have guidance on management of patient and family members with familial ovarian teratomas.

Two different mutational types of familial gastrointestinal stromal tumors:Two case reports

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GISTs)are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal(GI)tract,and cases of GISTs tend to be of the disseminated type,with a global incidence of 10 to 15 cases/million each year.The rarer familial GISTs,which often represent a population,differ in screening,diagnosis,and treatment.Familial GISTs include primary familial GISTs with predominantly KIT/PDGFRA mutations and wild-type GISTs.However,whether the same genetic family has different phenotypes has not been reported.CASE SUMMARY We report two cases of rare GISTs in the same family:A male patient with the V561D mutation in exon 12 of the PDGFRA gene,who has been taking the targeted drug imatinib since undergoing surgery,and a female patient diagnosed with wild-type GIST,who has been taking imatinib for 3 years since undergoing surgery.The favorable prognosis of these patients during the 7-year follow-up period validates the accuracy of our treatment strategy,and we have refined the entire process of diagnosis and treatment of familial GISTs in order to better manage this rare familial disease.CONCLUSION Different mutation types of familial GISTs in the same family are very rare,thus it is very important to make the correct diagnosis and treatment strategies according to the results of molecular detection for the management of familial GISTs.