Background: Angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3) regulates lipoprotein metabolism by inhibiting lipoprotein and endothelial lipases. ANGPTL3 loss-of-function carriers have decreased circulating triglycerides (TGs), LDL-C, and HDL-C, and a lower risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). ARO-ANG3 is an investigational RNAi therapeutic designed to inhibit hepatic ANGPTL3 expression and reduce atherogenic lipoproteins. Aim: We report end-of-study results (data cutoff 09 December 2022) from ARCHES-2, a Phase 2b double-blind, placebo (pbo)-controlled study (NCT04832971) to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ARO-ANG3 in adults with mixed dyslipidemia (MD). Methods: Patients with fasting TGs 150-499 mg/dL and LDL-C ≥70 mg/dL or non-HDL-C ≥100 mg/dL were randomized to receive 50 mg, 100 mg or 200 mg ARO-ANG3 or pbo by subcutaneous injections on Day 1 and Week 12. Patients were on a stable diet and optimal lipid-lowering therapies. The primary endpoint was the percent change in TGs from baseline at Week 24. Liver fat was assessed at baseline and Week 24 in a subset of patients with hepatic steatosis. Mixed models repeated measures was used for statistical analyses. Results: At Week 24, ARO-ANG3 decreased ANGPTL3 (up to 77%), TGs (up to 56%), remnant cholesterol (up to 56%), and apolipoprotein B (apoB) (up to 20%). Other lipoproteins including LDL-C, non-HDL-C, lipoprotein(a) and HDL-C were also decreased. Liver fat decreased similarly in ARO-ANG3 and pbo groups. TEAEs were consistent with those expected in this patient population and with associated underlying comorbidities. Conclusions: ARCHES-2 data demonstrate ARO-ANG3 efficacy by significantly lowering ANGPTL3 and atherogenic triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs), LDL and total apoB in patients with MD. The favorable changes in serum lipids and lipoproteins and safety profile support the potential of ARO-ANG3 to treat residual ASCVD risk in patients with elevated TRLs not at LDL-C goal.
Read full abstract