Low-density lipoprotein, non-high-density lipoprotein, and apolipoprotein B as targets of lipid-lowering therapy.

Although low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is widely recognized as the major atherogenic lipoprotein and the primary target of lipid-lowering therapy,1 other lipoprotein species nonetheless appear to be involved in atherogenesis. These include very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDL), and highdensity lipoproteins (HDL). Both VLDL and IDL are triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TGRLP). Thus, in the aftermath of unequivocal evidence that LDL lowering reduces risk for major coronary events and stroke,2 the field of lipid study is turning more of its attention to the other lipoproteins that appear to be involved in atherosclerosis. The recent Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) report1 of the National Cholesterol Education Program has summarized our current understanding of the relationship between other lipoprotein species and risk for coronary heart disease (CHD).