News

LAPLACE-2 published in JAMA

The LAPLACE-2 (LDL-C Assessment with PCSK9 Monoclonal Antibody Inhibition Combined With Statin Therapy – 2) previously reported at ACC 2014, is now published in JAMA. Robinson JG, Nedergaard BS, Rogers WJ et al; LAPLACE-2 Investigators. Effect of evolocumab or ezetimibe added to moderate or high-intensity…

PROFICIO: Evolocumab reduces Lp(a) in statin-treated patients

In a pooled analysis of 4 phase 2 trials including more than 1300 patients, treatment with the PCSK9 monoclonal antibody evolocumab led to dose-related reductions in Lp(a) which were sustained during longer-term therapy. The pooled population (n=1,359) had a mean age of 56.4 (11.7) years,…

Update on the status of PCSK9 monoclonal antibody therapies

The discovery of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) in cholesterol metabolism and the subsequent development of monoclonal antibody therapies is a key example of translational medicine. At least 5 companies now have an agent in clinical trials, with 3 in Phase II development. The…

Understanding the role of PCSK9 in dyslipidaemia

EAS Consensus Panel focuses on homozygous FH

As a follow-up to the 2013 EAS Position Statement on FH,1 this new position paper specifically focuses on homozygous FH. This rare disease is characterised by markedly elevated circulating levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and accelerated, premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.  Due to the severity…

PCSK9 inhibition: lipid-modifying benefits beyond LDL-C lowering

Recent evidence indicates that PCSK9 also modulates the metabolism of triglyceride-rich apolipoprotein B (apoB) lipoproteins, another important coronary heart disease risk factor. This suggests that PCSK9-targeted therapies may also have a role in the management of postprandial hypertriglyceridaemia, highly relevant in obese individuals. To investigate…

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.

ACC 2014 RUTHERFORD-2: Evolocumab in heterozygous FH

Despite potent statin therapy, and the use of additional lipid-lowering treatment, most patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) fail to achieve LDL-C targets. Previously the RUTHERFORD study showed that AMG 145 (evolocumab) administered every 4 weeks resulted in substantial reductions in LDL-C in this patient…

PCSK9 variants associated with cerebral ischaemic stroke in Han Chinese

PCSK9 variants have been previously linked with risk for cerebrovascular disease in Caucasian populations.1 Given the propensity for stroke in Asians, notably the Chinese,2 the current study investigated whether PCSK9 variants may be implicated with risk for stroke in the Han Chinese population. The study…

Predicting the PCSK9 response to statin treatment

Targeted next generation sequencing improves FH diagnosis

ACC 2014 Alirocumab: One-year data in heterozygous FH

Treatment with the PCSK9 monoclonal antibody alirocumab 150 mg every 2 weeks, in addition to statin±ezetimibe,  resulted in substantial LDL-C reductions in patients with heterozygous FH, consistent with phase II trial data, which were sustained over 12 months. These data extend the evidence for the…

JUPITER Lp(a) analysis and residual CV risk

This analysis from the JUPITER trial (Justification for the Use of Statins in Prevention: An Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin) in individuals with low LDL cholesterol and elevated high-sensivity C-reactive protein levels suggests that elevated Lp(a) is a contributor to lipid-related residual CV risk. The study…

New ACC/AHA guidelines for cholesterol management: View from the Editors