IMPORTANCE: Additional treatment options are needed for patients who do not achieve sufficient reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level with available lipid-lowering therapies. ...OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of bempedoic acid vs placebo in patients at high cardiovascular risk receiving maximally tolerated lipid-lowering therapy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted at 91 clinical sites in North America and Europe from November 2016 to September 2018, with a final date of follow-up of September 22, 2018. A total of 779 patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, or both met randomization criteria, which included LDL-C level 70 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L) or greater while receiving maximally tolerated lipid-lowering therapy. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized 2:1 to treatment with bempedoic acid (180 mg) (n = 522) or placebo (n = 257) once daily for 52 weeks. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary end point was percent change from baseline in LDL-C level at week 12. Secondary measures included changes in levels of lipids, lipoproteins, and biomarkers. RESULTS: Among 779 randomized patients (mean age, 64.3 years; 283 women 36.3%), 740 (95.0%) completed the trial. At baseline, mean LDL-C level was 120.4 (SD, 37.9) mg/dL. Bempedoic acid lowered LDL-C levels significantly more than placebo at week 12 (–15.1% vs 2.4%, respectively; difference, –17.4% 95% CI, –21.0% to –13.9%; P < .001). Significant reductions with bempedoic acid vs placebo were observed at week 12 for non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (–10.8% vs 2.3%; difference, –13.0% 95% CI, –16.3% to –9.8%; P < .001), total cholesterol (–9.9% vs 1.3%; difference, –11.2% 95% CI, –13.6% to –8.8%; P < .001), apolipoprotein B (–9.3% vs 3.7%; difference, –13.0% 95% CI, –16.1% to –9.9%; P < .001), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (median, –18.7% vs –9.4%; difference, –8.7% asymptotic confidence limits, –17.2% to –0.4%; P = .04). Common adverse events included nasopharyngitis (5.2% vs 5.1% with bempedoic acid and placebo, respectively), urinary tract infection (5.0% vs 1.9%), and hyperuricemia (4.2% vs 1.9%). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease receiving maximally tolerated statins, the addition of bempedoic acid compared with placebo resulted in a significant lowering of LDL-C level over 12 weeks. Further research is needed to assess the durability and clinical effect as well as long-term safety. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02991118
This phase 3 trial showed that treatment with volanesorsen, an antisense oligonucleotide drug complementary to mRNA encoding apolipoprotein C-III, resulted in a mean reduction in triglyceride levels ...of 77% over the course of 3 months.
Angiopoietin-like 3 is an inhibitor of lipoprotein lipase. Evinacumab is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits angiopoietin-like 3, activating lipoprotein lipase. In patients with hypercholesterolemia ...that is refractory to statin and PCSK9 inhibitor therapy, the use of evinacumab reduced plasma lipid levels by more than 50% at the maximum dose.
Abstract
This 2022 European Atherosclerosis Society lipoprotein(a) Lp(a) consensus statement updates evidence for the role of Lp(a) in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and aortic valve ...stenosis, provides clinical guidance for testing and treating elevated Lp(a) levels, and considers its inclusion in global risk estimation. Epidemiologic and genetic studies involving hundreds of thousands of individuals strongly support a causal and continuous association between Lp(a) concentration and cardiovascular outcomes in different ethnicities; elevated Lp(a) is a risk factor even at very low levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. High Lp(a) is associated with both microcalcification and macrocalcification of the aortic valve. Current findings do not support Lp(a) as a risk factor for venous thrombotic events and impaired fibrinolysis. Very low Lp(a) levels may associate with increased risk of diabetes mellitus meriting further study. Lp(a) has pro-inflammatory and pro-atherosclerotic properties, which may partly relate to the oxidized phospholipids carried by Lp(a). This panel recommends testing Lp(a) concentration at least once in adults; cascade testing has potential value in familial hypercholesterolaemia, or with family or personal history of (very) high Lp(a) or premature ASCVD. Without specific Lp(a)-lowering therapies, early intensive risk factor management is recommended, targeted according to global cardiovascular risk and Lp(a) level. Lipoprotein apheresis is an option for very high Lp(a) with progressive cardiovascular disease despite optimal management of risk factors. In conclusion, this statement reinforces evidence for Lp(a) as a causal risk factor for cardiovascular outcomes. Trials of specific Lp(a)-lowering treatments are critical to confirm clinical benefit for cardiovascular disease and aortic valve stenosis.
Bhatt et al. report in the
Journal
the results of the Reduction of Cardiovascular Events with Icosapent Ethyl–Intervention Trial (REDUCE-IT), in which 8179 high-risk patients who had elevated ...triglyceride levels and had been receiving statin therapy were randomly assigned to receive 2 g of icosapent ethyl twice daily or placebo containing mineral oil.
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The patients were enrolled mostly on the basis of secondary prevention (71%), and almost 60% had diabetes. At baseline, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels were well controlled among the patients (median value, 75.0 mg per deciliter 1.94 mmol per liter), and triglyceride levels were slightly elevated (median . . .
In a 2-year clinical trial, the addition of ezetimibe to simvastatin had no effect on the progression of atherosclerosis, as measured by carotid-artery intima–media thickness, despite the additional ...lowering of levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and C-reactive protein by ezetimibe when added to simvastatin. However, the study was not powered to assess clinical end points.
The addition of ezetimibe to simvastatin had no effect on the progression of atherosclerosis, as measured by carotid-artery intima–media thickness, despite the additional lowering of levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and C-reactive protein.
A reduction in levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol constitutes one of the cornerstones in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. In recent trials comparing various statins or the same statin at various doses, aggressive therapy to lower LDL cholesterol levels was associated with a reduction in rates of cardiovascular events.
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However, administration of the highest approved statin dose offers only limited additional lowering of LDL cholesterol at the expense of an increased incidence of side effects.
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Therefore, novel compounds that further reduce LDL cholesterol levels when added to statin therapy are of interest. A recently introduced compound, ezetimibe, selectively . . .
BACKGROUND:Elevated lipoprotein(a) Lp(a) is a prevalent, independent cardiovascular risk factor, but the underlying mechanisms responsible for its pathogenicity are poorly defined. Because Lp(a) is ...the prominent carrier of proinflammatory oxidized phospholipids (OxPLs), part of its atherothrombosis might be mediated through this pathway.
METHODS:In vivo imaging techniques including magnetic resonance imaging, F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake positron emission tomography/computed tomography and single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography were used to measure subsequently atherosclerotic burden, arterial wall inflammation, and monocyte trafficking to the arterial wall. Ex vivo analysis of monocytes was performed with fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis, inflammatory stimulation assays, and transendothelial migration assays. In vitro studies of the pathophysiology of Lp(a) on monocytes were performed with an in vitro model for trained immunity.
RESULTS:We show that subjects with elevated Lp(a) (108 mg/dL 50–195 mg/dL; n=30) have increased arterial inflammation and enhanced peripheral blood mononuclear cells trafficking to the arterial wall compared with subjects with normal Lp(a) (7 mg/dL 2–28 mg/dL; n=30). In addition, monocytes isolated from subjects with elevated Lp(a) remain in a long-lasting primed state, as evidenced by an increased capacity to transmigrate and produce proinflammatory cytokines on stimulation (n=15). In vitro studies show that Lp(a) contains OxPL and augments the proinflammatory response in monocytes derived from healthy control subjects (n=6). This effect was markedly attenuated by inactivating OxPL on Lp(a) or removing OxPL on apolipoprotein(a).
CONCLUSIONS:These findings demonstrate that Lp(a) induces monocyte trafficking to the arterial wall and mediates proinflammatory responses through its OxPL content. These findings provide a novel mechanism by which Lp(a) mediates cardiovascular disease.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION:URLhttp://www.trialregister.nl. Unique identifierNTR5006 (VIPER Study).
Background Inability to tolerate statins because of muscle symptoms contributes to uncontrolled cholesterol levels and insufficient cardiovascular risk reduction. Bempedoic acid, a prodrug that is ...activated by a hepatic enzyme not present in skeletal muscle, inhibits ATP -citrate lyase, an enzyme upstream of β-hydroxy β-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway. Methods and Results The phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled CLEAR (Cholesterol Lowering via Bempedoic acid, an ACL-Inhibiting Regimen) Serenity study randomized 345 patients with hypercholesterolemia and a history of intolerance to at least 2 statins (1 at the lowest available dose) 2:1 to bempedoic acid 180 mg or placebo once daily for 24 weeks. The primary end point was mean percent change from baseline to week 12 in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The mean age was 65.2 years, mean baseline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was 157.6 mg/dL, and 93% of patients reported a history of statin-associated muscle symptoms. Bempedoic acid treatment significantly reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol from baseline to week 12 (placebo-corrected difference, -21.4% 95% CI, -25.1% to -17.7%; P<0.001). Significant reductions with bempedoic acid versus placebo were also observed in non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-17.9%), total cholesterol (-14.8%), apolipoprotein B (-15.0%), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (-24.3%; P<0.001 for all comparisons). Bempedoic acid was safe and well tolerated. The most common muscle-related adverse event, myalgia, occurred in 4.7% and 7.2% of patients who received bempedoic acid or placebo, respectively. Conclusions Bempedoic acid offers a safe and effective oral therapeutic option for lipid lowering in patients who cannot tolerate statins. Clinical Trial Registration URL : https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT 02988115.
Abstract
Recent advances in human genetics, together with a large body of epidemiologic, preclinical, and clinical trial results, provide strong support for a causal association between triglycerides ...(TG), TG-rich lipoproteins (TRL), and TRL remnants, and increased risk of myocardial infarction, ischaemic stroke, and aortic valve stenosis. These data also indicate that TRL and their remnants may contribute significantly to residual cardiovascular risk in patients on optimized low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-lowering therapy. This statement critically appraises current understanding of the structure, function, and metabolism of TRL, and their pathophysiological role in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Key points are (i) a working definition of normo- and hypertriglyceridaemic states and their relation to risk of ASCVD, (ii) a conceptual framework for the generation of remnants due to dysregulation of TRL production, lipolysis, and remodelling, as well as clearance of remnant lipoproteins from the circulation, (iii) the pleiotropic proatherogenic actions of TRL and remnants at the arterial wall, (iv) challenges in defining, quantitating, and assessing the atherogenic properties of remnant particles, and (v) exploration of the relative atherogenicity of TRL and remnants compared to LDL. Assessment of these issues provides a foundation for evaluating approaches to effectively reduce levels of TRL and remnants by targeting either production, lipolysis, or hepatic clearance, or a combination of these mechanisms. This consensus statement updates current understanding in an integrated manner, thereby providing a platform for new therapeutic paradigms targeting TRL and their remnants, with the aim of reducing the risk of ASCVD.
Graphical Abstract
Formation of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein remnants and their role in atherogenesis. Metabolic scheme for the generation and clearance of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein remnant particles (A). In hypertriglyceridaemia, overproduction and inefficient lipolysis of both very low-density lipoprotein and chylomicrons lead to increased remnant formation. Triglyceride-rich lipoprotein remnants contribute to the initiation and progression of atherosclerotic lesions (B). Particle retention in the subendothelial space is followed by inflammation, cholesterol deposition, and macrophage foam cell formation.
The emergence of pathophysiological, epidemiologic, and genetic data strongly supports the causality for lipoprotein(a) Lp(a) in cardiovascular disease (CVD) and calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). ...In parallel, novel Lp(a) lowering approaches have been developed that have re-invigorated clinical interest in Lp(a). Because Lp(a) is the most prevalent monogenetic lipid disorder globally, with prevalence of Lp(a) > 50 mg/dL estimated at >1.4 billion people, the rationale for diagnosing and managing Lp(a)-mediated risk is now stronger than ever. Patients with elevated Lp(a) are significantly under-diagnosed and the diagnosis is frequently made ad hoc rather than systematically. Elevated Lp(a) levels are associated with atherothrombotic risk and patients present with varied clinical phenotypes, ranging from stroke in pediatric age groups, to ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in young males, to CAVD in elderly individuals. A new clinical care paradigm of a dedicated “Lp(a) Clinic” would serve to evaluate and manage such patients who have elevated Lp(a) as the pathophysiological etiology. Such a clinic would include multidisciplinary expertise in lipid metabolism, clinical cardiology, vascular medicine, valvular disease, thrombosis, and pediatric aspects of clinical care. This viewpoint argues for the rationale of an Lp(a) outpatient clinic where patients with elevated Lp(a) and their affected relatives can be referred, evaluated, managed and followed, to ultimately reduce Lp(a)-mediated CVD and CAVD risk.
•Lp(a) is a causal risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and calcific aortic valve disease.•Novel Lp(a) lowering approaches have re-invigorated clinical interest in Lp(a).•Elevated Lp(a) (>50 mg/dL) is estimated to be present in >1.4 billion people.•Patients with elevated Lp(a) are significantly under-diagnosed.•A rationale of an outpatient “Lp(a) clinic” is presented.
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