Episode 498: Do You Want a One and Done Cholesterol Infusion? The Long Road Ahead

A one-time cholesterol infusion that could potentially eliminate heart disease risk for life? Dr. Joel Kahn dives into the groundbreaking but still experimental Verve 102 gene-editing therapy, which uses base editing to permanently suppress PCSK9—a key driver of high LDL cholesterol. In a small phase one trial, the treatment reduced PCSK9 levels by 88% and LDL cholesterol by 62% in high-dose recipients, with promising safety data. Yet, Dr. Kahn cautions this is not a 'one and done' miracle: it doesn’t address blood pressure, blood sugar, inflammation, or lifestyle factors like diet and exercise. He emphasizes that while the science is revolutionary, it’s years away from clinical use, and current treatments like statins, ezetimibe, and PCSK9 inhibitors already deliver similar LDL reductions safely today. The episode also covers critical updates on colorectal cancer screening (starting at age 45), the power of lifestyle in long-term cancer survival, the hidden risks of low-normal B12 levels, and a new Alzheimer’s prediction blood test that could flag risk decades early. The takeaway? Breakthroughs are coming—but your health still depends on daily choices, not just future gene therapies.