Repurposing the anti-cancer drug docetaxel for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis

Abstract

Background and Aims : We have identified that a negative regulator of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) biogenesis, desmocollin 1 (DSC1) contributes to cholesterol accumulation in the atherosclerotic plaque. With screening of 10 million small molecules, the FDA-approved chemotherapy drug docetaxel was identified to inhibit the DSC1 activity and promote HDL biogenesis. To test whether docetaxel reduces atherosclerosis in an animal model, apoE-null mice were fed a high-fat diet to promote dyslipidemia.