Article Archive

FH detection in primary care: how can we do better?

FH is clearly underdiagnosed and undertreated.1  The question is how to best to address this challenge. FH is one of the most common genetically transmitted conditions, with about 1 in 200-250 people affected.1,2 In the UK, this translates to about 300,000 people affected ; however,…

The FH enigma: are there other FH-causing genes?

A genetic diagnosis is established in about 80% of patients with FH. The question is what is the genetic basis for FH in the remaining cases. A recent study1 used whole exome sequencing of FH patients negative for LDLR, APOB or PCSK9 mutations, in an…

Missing FH: How can we improve FH referral and diagnosis?

Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is neither a rare disease nor a sentence to a life full of complications and early death. Recent evidence shows that even when founder effects are taken into account, heterozygous FH affects around 1/200-300 people instead of the historical estimate of…

PCSK9 inhibition in diabetes and metabolic syndrome: an analysis from OSLER

New findings, reported at the 2014 American Diabetes Association 74th Scientific Sessions,1 show thattreatment with the PCSK9 monoclonal antibody evolocumab reduced plasma levels of  low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in hypercholesterolaemic patients with dysglycaemia or metabolic syndrome, without worsening glucose control. Lead author, Dr Robert R…

Residual cardiovascular risk – a role for PCSK9 inhibition

Many people treated with statins and other cholesterol lowering drugs have a modifiable residual risk of cardiovascular disease because their low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is still too high. Professor Kausik Ray says there is an unmet need for improved treatments in patients who cannot…

FH issues in low to middle income regions

Despite the availability of statins, treatment of familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a significant issue with a high unmet need in a middle-income country, according to Dr Dirk Blom of Cape Town, South Africa. As a result, new novel therapies are urgently needed.

Improving the management of the FH patient

Professor Raul Santos from Brazil says that the new therapies which inhibit PCSK9 to significantly reduce low density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) when given in addition to other cholesterol lowering drugs offer a very important advance in reducing cardiovascular risk in people with Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH).

The role of PCSK9 inhibitors in FH

Monoclonal antibodies targeting PCSK9 have been shown to reduce low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by 30-40% in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) who still have LDL receptors. Studies also show that the investigational drug, evolocumab was well tolerated, Dr Dirk Blom said.

RUTHERFORD-2 slide deck now available

Paediatric FH: do you need a genetic diagnosis?

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is characterised clinically by life-long elevated levels of low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and increased risk of premature cardiovascular disease.  FH is predominantly due to mutations in the gene encoding the LDL receptor, and less commonly to mutations in the APOB or PCSK9 genes….

What are the gaps in knowledge about the PCSK9 inhibitors

Take home messages from ACC2014

Results of studies presented in 2014, show that PCSK9 inhibitors: 1) very effectively reduce low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C); and 2) show consistently predictable safety profiles. The positive results of short-term studies are now being reported in longer terms and larger clinical studies, Dr Evan…

Lowering LDL-C : at what level would this impact the benefit vs. risk ratio?

Emeritus Research Professor, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Canada Potent inhibitors of pro-protein convertase-subtilisin-kexin-9 (PCSK9) have the capacity to reduce plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) to unprecedentedly low levels, especially if combined with statins. This discovery raises several important questions; how low should…

Do the PCSK9 inhibitors have pleiotropic effects?

Experimental studies show that significant reductions in low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) will significantly reduce inflammation which is important in Atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries) says Professor Erik Stroes.

What are the current unmet needs?

Despite statins, there are significantly unmet clinical needs in cholesterol lowering treatment. Statin do not effectively treat more than 50% of people with Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) and other patients have intolerable side effects, says Professor Erik Stroes.

ACC/AHA guidelines: Where do the new treatments fit?

Professor Kausik Ray reports on ACC AHA guidelines and where new treatments fit.

Do the PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies have neurocognitive adverse effects?

Will the PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies replace other lipid lowering treatments currently used with statins?

Where will the new PCSK9 inhibitors fit into the treatment of people whose raised low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) puts them at high risk of cardiovascular disease? Leading researcher, Professor Frederick Raal discusses this important question.

Rationale and Design of the Familial Hypercholesterolemia Foundation CAscade SCreening for Awareness and Detection

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a hereditary condition caused by various genetic mutations that lead to significantly elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and resulting in a 20-fold increased lifetime risk for premature cardiovascular disease. Although its prevalence in the United States is 1 in 300 to…

BMS-962476

BMS-962476: First in man data