PCSK9 Inhibitors Lower LDL Cholesterol Significantly

Using new anti-PCSK9 antibodies with other lipid-lowering therapies could potentially help patients lower LDL cholesterol levels even further.

PCSK9 can cause high levels of LDL cholesterol, since it binds to the LDL receptor, according to a study published by the British Journal of Pharmacology. Both alirocumab and evolovumab are anti-PCSK9 antibodies recently approved by the FDA.

The researchers examined 12 studies of alirocumab and 9 studies of evolocumab, including more than 10,000 patients. A majority of patients were taking statins, but had high levels of LDL cholesterol.

Researchers found that all of the studies showed reductions in LDL cholesterol when patients took anti-PCSK9 antibodies, according to the study.

They reported that 87% of patients in the alirocumab studies and 98% of patients in the evolovumab studies met their reduction goals.

“Both anti-PSCK9 antibodies have cardiovascular outcome studies ongoing with results expected in 2017," said lead author of the current study Ioanna Gouni-Berthold, MD. “We are looking forward to them since it is rather unusual to have results of large outcome trials so soon after the launch of a drug in the market.”