Which drug is a PCSK9 monoclonal antibody?

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Multiple Choice

Which drug is a PCSK9 monoclonal antibody?

The key idea is distinguishing a PCSK9 monoclonal antibody from other lipid-lowering drugs by mechanism. Alirocumab is a PCSK9 monoclonal antibody; it binds circulating PCSK9, preventing it from promoting degradation of LDL receptors. With more LDL receptors available on hepatocytes, more LDL cholesterol is cleared from the blood, lowering LDL-C. Inclisiran is not an antibody. It’s a small interfering RNA that targets PCSK9 mRNA to reduce PCSK9 production in the liver, which lowers LDL-C through a different, RNA-based approach. Ezetimibe blocks intestinal cholesterol absorption by inhibiting the NPC1L1 transporter, not PCSK9. Statins inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, also not PCSK9.

The key idea is distinguishing a PCSK9 monoclonal antibody from other lipid-lowering drugs by mechanism. Alirocumab is a PCSK9 monoclonal antibody; it binds circulating PCSK9, preventing it from promoting degradation of LDL receptors. With more LDL receptors available on hepatocytes, more LDL cholesterol is cleared from the blood, lowering LDL-C.

Inclisiran is not an antibody. It’s a small interfering RNA that targets PCSK9 mRNA to reduce PCSK9 production in the liver, which lowers LDL-C through a different, RNA-based approach.

Ezetimibe blocks intestinal cholesterol absorption by inhibiting the NPC1L1 transporter, not PCSK9. Statins inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, also not PCSK9.

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