Personalised treatment for patients with atherosclerosis. That is what the researchers of the AtheroNeth consortium are working towards. The Dutch Heart Foundation has awarded €6 million to this research project, of which €340,000 will go to Leiden. 'We want to be able to predict the course of the disease.'
'There are 1.7 million people with cardiovascular disease in the Netherlands, and not all of them are being treated in the most efficient way,' says Ilze Bot, Professor of Cardiovascular Pharmacology (LACDR). The AtheroNeth consortium aims to change that. Atherosclerosis is the leading underlying cause of cardiovascular disease. Currently, all patients receive a similar treatment, but this is not a one-size-fits-all.
Earlier diagnosis and better treatment
Atherosclerosis involves the accumulation of lipids and inflammatory cells in blood vessels, leading to plaque formation. If such a plaque becomes unstable and ruptures, a blood clot can form, potentially resulting in a heart attack or stroke. The consortium, which brings together all university medical centres in the Netherlands ánd various research partners, aims to better understand the differences in the course of the disease in patients. The ultimate goal is to tailor treatment to the individual patient.
Bot explains the role of the Leiden scientists. 'Within the BioTherapeutics department, we are investigating whether certain inflammatory cells or proteins are present in the blood that can predict the stability of the atherosclerotic plaque. If such biomarkers can be used to predict the course of a patient's disease, this could ultimately lead to earlier detection, improved therapy and, therefore, a lower disease burden for patients.' The project started this summer and will run until May 2030.
