TERAPIAS GENÉTICAS E EDIÇÃO DE GENES (CRISPR) EM DOENÇAS CARDIOVASCULARES

Cardiovascular diseases represent one of the greatest public health challenges worldwide, accounting for a significant portion of global morbidity and mortality. Statins are effective in reducing LDL cholesterol; however, a large portion of patients do not achieve satisfactory reduction or have poor adherence to treatment due to side effects. In addition to acquired cardiovascular diseases, hereditary conditions also pose a major health problem, especially among younger populations. In light of these issues, new strategies for developing treatments — and even potential cures — are being extensively explored. In this context, gene-editing approaches such as CRISPR-Cas9 have garnered significant attention. The CRISPR-Cas9 technology allows for precise genome editing, offering the possibility of correcting specific genetic mutations associated with hereditary cardiovascular diseases. This technique has been used in animal models and preclinical studies to correct mutations that lead to conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and other genetic heart disorders. CRISPRmediated gene therapy is also being explored as a treatment for acquired cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, presenting new possibilities for managing hypertension. However, despite the transformative potential of gene editing, significant challenges remain, such as the efficient and safe delivery of gene-editing components and the minimization of off-target effects. The integration of new technologies may offer solutions to these challenges, opening new frontiers in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and improving patients’ quality of life. This narrative review aims to explore recent advances in geneediting approaches, such as CRISPR-Cas9, for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.