Article

PCSK9 Inhibitors Lower LDL Cholesterol Significantly

A mutated gene that encodes PCSK9 can result in high LDL cholesterol.

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.”

Related Videos
Happy elderly patient with medical health checkup with cardiologist or geriatric doctor. Senior old aging woman with coronary artery heart disease or cardiac illness check-up in clinic - Image credit: Chinnapong | stock.adobe.com
Pharmacist and patient in a retail/community pharmacy setting -- Image credit: Zamrznuti tonovi | stock.adobe.com
5 experts in this video