Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/kexin Type 9 Monoclonal Antibodies Research Articles

Evolocumab Treatment in Pediatric Patients With Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Pooled Data From Three Open-Label Studies.

Pediatric patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) have an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and difficulty meeting low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals. In this post hoc analysis, we evaluated pooled safety and efficacy data from 3 studies in pediatric patients with HoFH treated with the PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) monoclonal antibody inhibitor evolocumab. Patients with HoFH aged 10 to 17 years received treatment with open-label evolocumab 420 mg subcutaneously monthly or biweekly in the TAUSSIG, RAMAN, or HAUSER-OLE clinical studies. All patients received background statins with or without ezetimibe. Study duration ranged from 12 to 260 weeks. The primary end point was treatment-emergent adverse events per 100 patient-years. Efficacy end points were changed from baseline to week 12 in lipids and PCSK9. Of the 39 patients in the pooled analysis, 69.2% were males, median age was 13.0 years, and 79.5% (31/39) had genotyped HoFH with LDLR pathogenic variants. Overall, median exposure to evolocumab was 18.2 (Q1, Q3: 3.0, 18.5) months. Treatment-emergent adverse events with an exposure-adjusted patient incidence rate of ≥5% were upper respiratory tract infection (6.6%), influenza (5.2%), and acne (5.0%) per 100 patient-years. Exposure-adjusted patient incidence of serious treatment-emergent adverse events was 13.3% per 100 patient-years. Excluding 4 patients receiving lipoprotein apheresis, week 12 median percentage change from baseline in LDL-C was -2.9% (Q1, Q3: -21.7, 1.5); however, 42.9% (15/35) of patients achieved ≥15% reduction in LDL-C from baseline. Residual LDLR (LDL receptor) activity was not associated with a reduction in LDL-C. In this pooled data analysis from 3 studies in pediatric patients with HoFH, evolocumab was well tolerated, with no new safety signals reported. These safety findings are consistent with findings from previous studies of evolocumab. Patients showed marked variability in LDL-C reduction. Results from this pooled analysis support guidelines suggesting a trial of PCSK9 inhibitor therapy regardless of estimated residual LDLR function. URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01624142, NCT03403374, and NCT02624869.

Optimal follow-up schedule for patients taking PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies in a health system: Analysis of specialty pharmacy clinical interventions.

In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. The objective of this study was to determine if and when it is clinically appropriate to consider a reduction in the frequency of health-system specialty pharmacy (HSSP) clinical pharmacist assessments for patients taking a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) monoclonal antibody (mAb) after they are deemed clinically stable on therapy. A single-center, retrospective, observational study of adult patients on PCSK9 mAb therapy enrolled in the University of Rochester Specialty Pharmacy Cardiology Patient Management Program was performed between October 24, 2016, and April 30, 2022. The primary outcome was the number of clinical pharmacist interventions per interval within the baseline 12 months compared to 12-month intervals for up to 72 months after initiation of PCSK9 mAb therapy. A total of 368 patients on PCSK9 mAb therapy were included in the study. A significantly lower percentage of patients had more than 2 interventions during the 12- to 24-month interval (24.3%) as compared to the baseline 12-month interval (80.2%) (P < 0.001); this represented a 70% reduction in the chance of a patient requiring more than 2 interventions (relative risk, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.24-0.38). A similar trend was demonstrated in the 24- to 36-month and 36- to 48-month intervals when compared to the first year of therapy. The most commonly documented clinical pharmacist interventions were the categories of safety (29.2%), effectiveness (28.4%), and adherence (19.9%). Patients beyond 1 year of PCSK9 mAb therapy required less clinical pharmacist interventions. Therefore, stable patients receiving a PCSK9 mAb may be considered for less frequent clinical assessments to allow for HSSP growth to nontraditional clinical areas.

Rationale and design of a randomized controlled trial: The effect of intensive lipid-lowering therapy with PCSK9 inhibitor on endothelial-coverage of stent strut after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS): Optical coherence tomography (OCT) study (PIECES-OCT study)

BackgroundFor the patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for at least 1 year is recommended in the guidelines to minimize the risk of stent thrombosis. Persistently uncovered stent strut means delayed neointima formation and extend the window of time in which the stent is prone to thrombosis. Previous studies showed that statins could improve post-stenting strut endothelial coverage for patients undergoing PCI. However, there are lack of evidences on whether early initiation of proprotein convertase subtilisin/Kexin type 9 monoclonal antibody (PCSK9mAb) after PCI in ACS patients can further improve the rate of stent strut coverage on the background of oral lipid-lowering therapy (LLT). MethodsThis is a single-center, randomized trial to enroll 36 patients undergoing PCI with a clinical diagnosis of non-ST-segment elevation ACS. The baseline level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) of these patients are between 1.4 mmol/L and 3.4 mmol/L. Patients will be assigned to intensive lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) with PCSK9mAb group and conventional LLT without PCSK9mAb group for 12 weeks in a clinical follow-up setting according to 1: 1 randomization. the rate of stent strut endothelial coverage by optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination at 12 weeks after enrollment between the groups will be compared. ConclusionThis will be the first study to investigate changes in the rate of stent strut endothelial coverage under intensive LLT with PCSK9mAb by OCT examination in ACS patients undergoing PCI. The finding of this study will provide clinical evidence for future research about the hypothesis of a novel strategy of “intensive LLT (PCSK9mAb + statin ± ezetimibe) combined with shortened DAPT duration” for ACS patients undergoing PCI.Clinical Trial Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: ChiCTR2200063395.

PCSK9 Targeting in the Management of Hypercholesterolaemia

It has long been established that elevated plasma concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) are among the prominent contributors leading to the development of atherosclerotic plaques and, ultimately, cardiovascular disease. In the current era of optimal risk factor modification, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) targeting has emerged as a potent therapeutic approach in the management of hypercholesterolaemia, addressing several substantial, unmet clinical needs. PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies, evolocumab and alirocumab, as well as inclisiran, which is a small interfering RNA that halts the transcription of PCSK9 mRNA, are being increasingly used in current clinical practice, as they induce intensive LDL-C reductions without any significant safety and tolerability concerns. Based on the success of these agents, the concept of PCSK9 targeting with novel agents with enhanced biological properties, or via different administration routes, has received considerable attention. In this regard, numerous antisense oligonucleotides, peptides, and proteins are currently under evaluation in randomised controlled trials, yielding propitious results up to date; they may enter clinical use in the coming years. Meanwhile, a PCSK9 vaccine, as well as genome editing via clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats/Cas9, hold great promise to eradicate LDL-C altogether as a cardiovascular risk factor. This review aims to present and discuss the current clinical and scientific evidence pertaining to the field of medications that exert their biological effect by targeting PCSK9, which are either in use in clinical practice, or are currently being evaluated in pre-clinical or clinical studies, and may prove beneficial in the near future.

PCSK9 Antagonists: Clinical Efficacy and Main Trends in the Development of New Medicines

Scientific relevance. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death worldwide. Dyslipidemia, as the pathophysiological basis of atherosclerosis, is the most important cause of CVD. Among the factors that modify this pathology, the World Health Organisation lists statins, which effectively reduce the cholesterol level. However, statin treatment compliance is not sufficient to achieve population-based lipid targets. This is a powerful stimulus for the creation of fundamentally new groups of lipid-lowering agents, in particular, antagonists of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9).Aim. The study aimed to review innovative approaches to developing a new generation of lipid-lowering agents, PCSK9 antagonists, and to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and clinical potential of these medicines.Discussion. PCSK9 antagonists significantly increase the effectiveness of lipid-lowering therapy when combined with statins and are an effective monotherapy in patients with contraindications for statins. PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies, as well as inclisiran, have a favourable risk–benefit ratio. However, the high cost of commercially available PCSK9 antagonists limits their clinical use. A number of promising directions exist for developing new PCSK9 antagonists that have fundamentally different mechanisms of action, such as adnectins; genome editing with CRISPR/Cas9; combining small molecules with low molecular weight PCSK9 inhibitors; PCSK9 vaccines; and antisense oligonucleotides. Medicinal products from these groups are currently at various stages of preclinical and clinical development.Conclusions. Therefore, new lipid-lowering agents can be developed by synthesising high and low molecular weight PCSK9 ligands and by altering the genetic mechanisms of PCSK9 synthesis. The innovative medicines considered in this review are highly effective, and most have shown no signs of toxicity at the pre-authorisation stage.

Advanced progress of the relationship between PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies and hyperglycemic adverse events.

Long-term use of statins had been confirmed to cause an increase in hyperglycemic adverse events (HAEs), whose mechanism has been well understood. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) monoclonal antibodies (PCSK9-mAbs), a kind of new lipid-lowering drug, can effectively reduce plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in patients with CHD and have been widely used. However, animal experiments, Mendelian randomization studies, clinical researches and Meta-analyses which focused on the relationship between PCSK9-mAbs and HAEs had reached different conclusions, which has attracted great attention from clinicians. The newest FOURIER-OLE randomized controlled trial followed PCSK9-mAbs users for over 8 years, whose results suggested that long-term use of PCSK9-mAbs did not increase the incidence of HAEs. Newest Meta-analyses also indicated that there was no relationship between PCSK9-mAbs and NOD. Meanwhile, genetic polymorphisms and variants related to PCSK9 might have effects on HAEs. According to the results of current studies, there is no significant relationship between PCSK9-mAbs and HAEs. However, longer-term follow-up studies are still needed to confirm it. Although PCSK9 genetic polymorphisms and variants may affect the possible occurrence of HAEs, there is no need to perform relevant genetic testing before applying PCSK9-mAbs.

Inhibition of PCSK9 Improves the Development of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Via Down-Regulating Notch3 Expression.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a fatal disease characterized by continuous constriction and occlusion of small pulmonary arteries, leading to the development of right ventricular failure and death. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a kind of serine protease enzyme that increases low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) levels through degrading low-density lipoprotein cholesterol receptors (LDLr). However, whether inhibition of PCSK9 can alleviate PAH has not been reported. We reported that PCSK9 expression was up-regulated in lung tissues of PAH patients. In addition, we used PCSK9 monoclonal antibody subcutaneously to inhibit PCSK9 expression in mice exposed to chronic hypoxia (10%) in combination with SU5416, a VEGF receptor inhibitor. Hypoxia plus SU5416-induced PAH was attenuated in PCSK9 monoclonal antibody-treated mice compared with wild-type mice. PCSK9 inhibited pulmonary vascular remodeling in mice. Moreover, PCSK9 knockdown significantly altered the proliferation and migration of hypoxia-induced PASMCs. We also found that PCSK9 monoclonal antibody inhibited Notch3 expression in vivo and in vitro. Our results suggest that the PCSK9-Notch3 signaling pathway is critical for the proliferation and migration of PASMCs and provides a potential drug target for the treatment of PAH.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors: prospects for cholesterol-lowering therapy in type 2 diabetes

Diabetic dyslipoproteinemia (DLP), characterized by quantitative, qualitative, and kinetic changes in all major circulating lipids, contributes to an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Inhibition of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) by human monoclonal antibodies is a promising treatment for diabetic DLP. Several drugs differ in their mechanisms of inhibition of PCSK9 activity. The following groups are conditionally distinguished: PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies (anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies): evolocumab, alirocumab, bococizumab (injectable); other injectable medications with different mechanism of actions (inclisiran, SPC4061, SPC5001, adnectin BMS-962476, LIB003, anti-PCSK9 vaccine; anti-PCSK9 vaccine (nanoparticle-based); orally administered drugs (PF-06446846, DS-9001a, SRT3025); cholesteryl ester transfer protein/PCSK9 inhibitors (anacetrapib, evacetrapib, torcetrapib, K-312). This review aims to discuss the role of alirocumab and evolocumab, fully humanized monoclonal antibodies, in the treatment of type 2 DM patients with DLP and to consider their effectiveness and safety. Strategy of search. Scopus, Science Direct (from Elsevier), and PubMed, including the Medline databases, were searched. The following keywords were used: autonomic nervous system, heart rate variability, baroreflex sensitivity, diabetic cardiac autonomic neuropathy, and MeSH terms. A manual search of the bibliography of publications was used to identify research results that could not be found with the online search. Statins are the first line of choice for treating DLP in patients with type 2 DM to reduce the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Ezetimibe is the next drug to be added if patients’ low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels are higher than acceptable. In cases of failure of the combination of statins with ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitor is a reasonable and rational choice. Overall, clinical data suggest that PCSK9 inhibitors are well tolerated and provide a significant reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in type 2 DM patients with DLP in addition to high-intensity statin therapy. The use of PCSK9 inhibitors is not associated with impaired glycemic control or increased risk of diabetes development in individuals without previously diagnosed DM and may prevent or reduce subsequent cardiovascular events.

LDL lowering effect of PCSK9 inhibition is reduced in women.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a key regulator of plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentration, and its inhibition reduces the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). We aimed to assess the sex-differential effect of either pharmacological or genetic inhibition of PCSK9 on LDL-C levels. We meta-analyzed six real-life studies (1216 men and 641 women) that investigated the effects of PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) on LDL-C reduction in men and women. Despite higher LDL-C levels in women at baseline [mean difference (MD)=17.4mg/dL, P<0.0001, women = 175mg/dL vs. men = 152mg/dL], the LDL-C reduction under PCSK9 mAb treatment was significantly greater in men (MD=7.6mg/dL, 95% confidence interval: 2.7-12.4, P=0.002) than in women.We tested the sex-related association of the loss-of-function variant PCSK9-R46L with LDL-C plasma levels in 382 813 individuals (219 301 women and 163 512 men) free of lipid-lowering drugs from the UK Biobank general population cohort. The magnitude of LDL-C reduction was larger in men than in women (mean LDL-C difference: -35mg/dL vs. -26mg/dL, when comparing homozygous carriers with non-carriers in men and women, respectively). The relationship between PCSK9-R46L and LDL-C was significantly dependent on sex (P for interaction=7.2e-04). These results demonstrate by complementary approaches that the decrease in LDL-C mediated by PCSK9 inhibition is slightly, but significantly, less marked in women than in men. These data reinforce the need for specific studies to develop sex-specific recommendations for the management of ASCVD in women.

Effectiveness and safety of Inclisiran in hyperlipidemia treatment: An overview of systematic reviews.

This paper aimed to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Inclisiran in treating hyperlipidemia through an overview of systematic reviews (SRs). The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed, CNKI, WANGFANG database, VIP database, ClinicalTrials.gov, and ICRT were searched electronically to collect SRs and meta-analysis of Inclisiran in hyperlipidemia treatment from the establishment of the database till May 2022. Two researchers independently screened the relevant literature, then the assessment of multiple systematic reviews tool was made into assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Data extracted were used to perform the study through RevMan5.3 software. The grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation tool was used to grade the quality of the evidence of the outcomes included in the SRs. Prospero ID: CRD 42022326845. A total of 10 relevant SRs were included, involving 7 randomized controlled trials. The assessment results of the assessment of multiple systematic reviews tool suggested that the quality of the SRs included needed to be improved. The reduced level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol of the experimental group was lower than the control group, and the difference in the amount of effectiveness was statistically significant (MD = -50.13, 95%CI: -56.2 to -44.06, P < .00001). The grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation results showed that out of 27 outcomes, 8 were high-quality, 3 were of medium quality, 6 were of low quality, and 10 were of the most inferior quality. 300mg Inclisiran with 2 injections a year has the best therapeutic effect, which can significantly reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol, and increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in patients with hyperlipidemia. Inclisiran has a favorable safety profile, with no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions compared to a placebo. Most of the adverse effects were associated with the reaction on the injection site.

Abstract 10111: Efficacy and Safety of Tafolecimab in Chinese Patients With Non-Familial Hypercholesterolemia (CREDIT-1): A 48-Week Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase 3 Trial

Introduction: Currently approved proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) monoclonal antibodies demonstrated robust low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)-lowering efficacy at doses up to 420 mg monthly, while longer dosing intervals are largely unexplored. We assessed the efficacy and safety of tafolecimab, a potential long-acting fully human PCSK9 monoclonal antibody, in Chinese patients with non-familial hypercholesterolemia (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04289285). Methods: Patients were randomized 2:2:1:1 to receive subcutaneous tafolecimab 450 mg every 4 weeks (Q4W), tafolecimab 600 mg every 6 weeks (Q6W), placebo Q4W or placebo Q6W for 48 weeks. The primary endpoint was the percent change from baseline to week 48 in LDL-C levels. Secondary endpoints included proportion of patients achieving ≥50% LDL-C reductions, LDL-C &lt;1.8 mmol/L and LDL-C &lt;1.4 mmol/L. Results: A total of 618 patients (mean LDL-C level 2.85 mmol/L; 9.3% on ezetimibe; 72.8% at very-high cardiovascular risk) were randomized. Of 614 patients receiving at least one dose of the study treatment, 568 (92.5%) completed the study. At both dose regimens, tafolecimab treatment induced significant reductions in LDL-C levels, and significantly more patients treated with tafolecimab achieved ≥50% LDL-C reductions, LDL-C &lt;1.8 mmol/L and LDL-C &lt;1.4 mmol/L compared with corresponding placebo groups ( Table ). Meanwhile, significant reductions in non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein(a) levels were achieved with tafolecimab versus placebo at week 48. The most commonly-reported treatment-emergent adverse events were upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection and hyperuricemia. Conclusions: Tafolecimab administered at either 450 mg Q4W or 600 mg Q6W yielded significant and durable reductions in LDL-C levels and showed a favorable safety profile in Chinese patients with non-familial hypercholesterolemia.

Reduction of C-reactive protein, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and its relationship with cardiovascular events of different lipid-lowering therapies: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background:To evaluate the reductions of C-reactive protein (CRP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in different lipid-lowering drugs, and to assess the relationships between the reductions of CRP, LDL-C, and cardiovascular (CV) events.Methods:We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL up to September 1, 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing statins, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 monoclonal antibodies (PCSK9-mAbs), or ezetimibe against placebo with a treatment duration of at least 4 weeks and data on the effects of cholesterol-lowering interventions on LDL-C and CRP were included in this meta-analysis. The weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated.Results:Compared with placebo treatment, statins and ezetimibe treatments resulted in a significant decrease in LDL-C level (statins: WMD −47.94 mg/dL, 95% CI −51.21 to −44.67 mg/dL; ezetimibe: WMD −22.84 mg/dL, 95% CI −26.76 to −18.92 mg/dL) and CRP level (statins: WMD −0.67 mg/L, 95% CI −0.90 to −0.45 mg/dL; ezetimibe: −0.64 mg/L, 95% CI −1.07 to −0.21 mg/dL). Compared with placebo treatment, treatment with PCSK9-mAbs resulted in significant decrease in LDL-C level (WMD −54.24 mg/dL, 95% CI −59.77 to −48.70 mg/dL), while the concentration of CRP did not decrease significantly. Meta-regression analysis showed no significant association between change in CRP level and change in LDL-C level. Subgroup comparisons suggested that treatment with PCSK9-mAbs showed a greater reduction in LDL-C level when compared with the statins group and ezetimibe group, while the risks of CV death, myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke showed no significant differences.Conclusion:Based on the current study, our results suggested that statins, ezetimibe, and PCSK9-mAbs are effective in reducing LDL-C levels. Treatment with statins and ezetimibe also demonstrated a significant effect on CRP. The traditional lipid-lowering strategy including statin and ezetimibe showed similar benefit on CV outcomes compared with the PCSK9-mAbs treatment.

New, Novel Lipid-Lowering Agents for Reducing Cardiovascular Risk: Beyond Statins.

Statins are the cornerstone of the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, even under optimal statin therapy, a significant residual ASCVD risk remains. Therefore, there has been an unmet clinical need for novel lipid-lowering agents that can target low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and other atherogenic particles. During the past decade, several drugs have been developed for the treatment of dyslipidemia. Inclisiran, a small interfering RNA that targets proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), shows comparable effects to that of PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies. Bempedoic acid, an ATP citrate lyase inhibitor, is a valuable treatment option for the patients with statin intolerance. Pemafibrate, the first selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha modulator, showed a favorable benefit-risk balance in phase 2 trial, but the large clinical phase 3 trial (PROMINENT) was recently stopped for futility based on a late interim analysis. High dose icosapent ethyl, a modified eicosapentaenoic acid preparation, shows cardiovascular benefits. Evinacumab, an angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3) monoclonal antibody, reduces plasma LDL-C levels in patients with refractory hypercholesterolemia. Novel antisense oligonucleotides targeting apolipoprotein C3 (apoC3), ANGPTL3, and lipoprotein(a) have significantly attenuated the levels of their target molecules with beneficial effects on associated dyslipidemias. Apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) is considered as a potential treatment to exploit the athero-protective effects of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), but solid clinical evidence is necessary. In this review, we discuss the mode of action and clinical outcomes of these novel lipid-lowering agents beyond statins.

PCSK9 inhibitors for secondary prevention in patients with cardiovascular diseases: a bayesian network meta-analysis

BackgroundThe Food and Drug Administration has approved Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors for the treatment of dyslipidemia. However, evidence of the optimal PCSK9 agents targeting PCSK9 for secondary prevention in patients with high-risk of cardiovascular events is lacking. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the benefit and safety of different types of PCSK9 inhibitors.MethodsSeveral databases including Cochrane Central, Ovid Medline, and Ovid Embase were searched from inception until March 30, 2022 without language restriction. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing administration of PCSK9 inhibitors with placebo or ezetimibe for secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with statin-background therapy were identified. The primary efficacy outcome was all-cause mortality. The primary safety outcome was serious adverse events.ResultsOverall, nine trials totaling 54,311 patients were identified. Three types of PCSK9 inhibitors were evaluated. The use of alirocumab was associated with reductions in all-cause mortality compared with control (RR 0.83, 95% CrI 0.72–0.95). Moreover, evolocumab was associated with increased all-cause mortality compared with alirocumab (RR 1.26, 95% CrI 1.04–1.52). We also found alirocumab was associated with decreased risk of serious adverse events (RR 0.94, 95% CrI 0.90–0.99).ConclusionsIn consideration of the fact that both PCSK9 monoclonal antibody and inclisiran enable patients to achieve recommended LDL-C target, the findings in this meta-analysis suggest that alirocumab might provide the optimal benefits regarding all-cause mortality with relatively lower SAE risks, and evolocumab might provide the optimal benefits regarding myocardial infarction for secondary prevention in patients with high-risk of cardiovascular events. Further head-to-head trials with longer follow-up and high methodologic quality are warranted to help inform subsequent guidelines for the management of these patients.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibition after acute coronary syndrome or prior myocardial infarction.

Lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) with statins or ezetimibe reduces major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with coronary heart disease. Additional treatment with proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors may lower LDL-C to levels not achievable with conventional lipid-lowering agents. This review summarizes findings from two large, placebo-controlled trials that evaluated the cardiovascular efficacy of monoclonal antibodies directed against PCSK9, added to background statin therapy, in patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and persistent elevation of atherogenic lipoproteins despite statin treatment. The FOURIER trial with evolocumab and the ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial with alirocumab demonstrated 15% overall reductions in MACE compared to placebo, associated with average achieved LDL-C levels as low as 30-40 mg/dl. Alirocumab treatment was associated with fewer deaths after ACS. Subgroups with large absolute treatment benefit included those with baseline LDL-C ≥100 mg/dl, diabetes, polyvascular or peripheral artery disease, prior coronary bypass surgery, statin intolerance, or elevated lipoprotein(a) levels. No safety concerns arose with use of PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies, even in patients who achieved LDL-C levels below 20 mg/dl. In selected patients with established ASCVD or recent ACS, PCSK9 inhibitors can play an important role in reducing the risk of MACE, and may also reduce the risk of death after ACS.

Latest clinical evidence about the effect of PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia: an updated meta-analysis.

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is the most common autosomal genetic disease of cholesterol metabolism disorder. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) monoclonal antibody (mAb) is a new target lipid-regulating drug related to cholesterol metabolism that has been developed in recent years. The reported rate of reduction varies widely, and comprehensive assessments of efficacy and safety are lacking. Therefore, we conducted this study to investigate the clinical effect of PCSK9 mAbs in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia to provide a theoretical reference for clinical practice. We analysed the clinical data of patients, including the percentage change in LDL-C and the incidence rates of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs), from selected articles. Weighted mean differences (WMDs), risk ratios (RRs), and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated to compare the endpoints. The results showed that, compared with placebo, the PCSK9 mAb reduced the percentage change in LDL-C in FH patients (WMD = -45.52, 95% CI: -49.70 to -41.34, I2 = 99.6%). In addition, there was no significant difference between the experimental and placebo groups in the incidence of TEAEs (RR = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.97 to 1.10, I2 = 19.1%) and SAEs (RR = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.72 to 1.44, I2 = 0.0%). Overall, PSCK9 mAbs are an effective and safe method of LDL-C reduction in patients with FH.

A Potential Long-Acting LDL-Cholesterol-Lowering PCSK9 MonoclonalAntibody: Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Phase 1 Studies.

The aim of the studies was to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of tafolecimab, a novel proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) monoclonal antibody, in Chinese healthy volunteers and patients with hypercholesterolemia. Fifty-eight healthy volunteers (phase 1a) were randomized to receive a single dose of 25, 75, 150, 300, 450, or 600mg tafolecimab subcutaneously, 75 or 450mg intravenously, or placebo. Sixty patients with hypercholesterolemia (phase 1b) were randomized to receive 75 or 140mg tafolecimab every 2weeks, 300 or 420mg every 4weeks, or 450 or 600mg every 6weeks subcutaneously or placebo for 12weeks. Tafolecimab was well tolerated. Adverse events in both studies were either mild or moderate. In the phase 1a study, a single dose of tafolecimab reduced low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels up to 72% in healthy volunteers. In the phase 1b study, tafolecimab reduced LDL-C levels up to 71.6% and by more than 50% consistently to week 12 for all tafolecimab dose regimens. Tafolecimab is a safe PCSK9 monoclonal antibody with significant and potential long-acting LDL-C-lowering effect. (Single Ascending Dose Study of PCSK-9 Inhibitor [IBI306] in Healthy Subjects; NCT03366688) (Multiple Ascending Dose Study of PCSK-9 Inhibitor [IBI306] in Chinese Patients With Hypercholesterolemia; NCT03815812).

Anti-PCSK 9 antibodies increase the ratios of the brain-specific oxysterol 24S-hydroxycholesterol to cholesterol and to 27-hydroxycholesterol in the serum.

The serum ratios of the brain-specific oxysterol 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24S-OHC) to cholesterol and to 27-OHC reflect brain cholesterol turnover. We studied the effect of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 monoclonal antibodies (PCSK9ab) that enhance low-density lipoprotein receptor activity on serum cholesterol and oxysterol concentrations. Twenty-eight hypercholesterolaemic patients (15 males and 13 females) responding insufficiently to maximally tolerated statin and/or ezetimibe therapy were additionally subcutanously treated biweekly with either the PCSK9ab alirocumab (150 mg, n =13) or evolocumab (140 mg, n =15). Fasting serum cholesterol was measured by gas chromatography and the oxysterols 24S-OHC and 27-OHC using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry before, after 1-month (n =28) and after 3-month (n =13) treatment. As expected, PCSK9ab treatment lowered serum cholesterol and oxysterol levels after 1 month. The serum ratio of 24S-OHC to cholesterol increased after 1 month by 17 ± 28% (mean ± standard deviation; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.8 to 28%; P< .01) and 24S-OHC to 27-OHC by 15 ± 39% (95% CI: 0.2 to 30%; P< .01). Within 3 months, 24S-OHC to cholesterol increased by 2.8 μg g-1 mo-1 (95% CI: 2.1 to 3.6; P< .01) and 24S-OHC to 27-OHC by 0.019 mo-1 (95% CI: 0.007 to 0.032; P< .01). The serum ratios of 24S-OHC to cholesterol and to 27-OHC increased after treatment with PCSK9ab. We hypothesize that this is caused by a reduced entrance of 27-OHC into the brain, increased synthesis of brain cholesterol, increased production of 24S-OHC and its secretion across the blood-brain barrier.

Current Evidence and Future Directions of PCSK9 Inhibition

Recent scientific and therapeutic advances in proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibition have opened a chapter in the management of hypercholesterolemia, especially in patients who are inadequately controlled on or intolerant to statins. The two PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies, evolocumab and alirocumab, reduce LDL cholesterol by 60% and improve cardiovascular outcomes when taken in addition to statin therapy. More recently, inclisiran, a silencing RNA (siRNA) that inhibits translation of PCSK9 mRNA, demonstrated LDL cholesterol reduction by 45–50% with the advantage of dramatically reduced dose frequency. Other modes of PCSK9 inhibition include small molecule antagonists, vaccines, CRISPR gene editing, and antagonism at various steps of translation, and post-translational processing.

PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Despite the availability of effective drug therapies that reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (LDL-C), cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains an important cause of mortality and morbidity. Therefore, additional LDL-C reduction may be warranted, especially for people who are unresponsive to, or unable to take, existing LDL-C-reducing therapies. By inhibiting the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) enzyme, monoclonal antibodies (PCSK9 inhibitors) reduce LDL-C and CVD risk. Primary To quantify the effects of PCSK9 inhibitors on CVD, all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke, compared to placebo or active treatment(s) for primary and secondary prevention. Secondary To quantify the safety of PCSK9 inhibitors, with specific focus on the incidence of influenza, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and cancer, compared to placebo or active treatment(s) for primary and secondary prevention. We identified studies by systematically searching CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science in December 2019. We also searched ClinicalTrials.gov and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform in August 2020 and screened the reference lists of included studies. This is an update of the review first published in 2017. All parallel-group and factorial randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with a follow-up of at least 24 weeks were eligible. Two review authors independently reviewed and extracted data. Where data were available, we calculated pooled effect estimates.We used GRADE to assess certainty of evidence and in'Summary of findings' tables. We included 24 studies with data on 60,997participants.Eighteen trials randomised participants to alirocumaband six to evolocumab. All participants received background lipid-lowering treatment or lifestyle counselling.Six alirocumab studies used an active treatment comparison group (the remaining used placebo), compared to threeevolocumab active comparison trials. Alirocumab compared with placebo decreased the risk of CVD events, with an absolute risk difference (RD) of -2% (odds ratio (OR) 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.80 to 0.94; 10 studies, 23,868 participants; high-certainty evidence), decreased the risk of mortality (RD -1%; OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.96; 12 studies, 24,797 participants; high-certainty evidence), and MI (RD -2%; OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.94; 9 studies, 23,352 participants; high-certainty evidence) and for any stroke (RD 0%; OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.91; 8 studies, 22,835 participants; high-certainty evidence). Compared to active treatment the alirocumab effects, for CVD, the RD was 1% (OR 1.37, 95% CI 0.65 to 2.87; 3 studies, 1379 participants; low-certainty evidence); for mortality, RD was -1% (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.18 to 1.40; 5 studies, 1333 participants; low-certainty evidence); for MI, RD was 1% (OR 1.45,95% CI 0.64 to 3.28, 5 studies, 1734 participants; low-certainty evidence); and for any stroke, RD was less than 1% (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.13 to 5.61; 5 studies, 1734 participants; low-certainty evidence). Compared to placebo the evolocumab, for CVD, the RD was -2% (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.91; 3 studies, 29,432 participants; high-certainty evidence); for mortality, RD was less than 1% (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.19; 3 studies, 29,432 participants; high-certainty evidence); for MI, RD was -1% (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.82; 3 studies, 29,432 participants; high-certainty evidence); and for any stroke RD was less than -1% (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.94; 2 studies, 28,531 participants; high-certainty evidence). Compared to active treatment, the evolocumab effects, for any CVD event RD was less than -1% (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.14 to 3.04; 1 study, 218 participants; very low-certainty evidence); for all-cause mortality, the RD was less than 1% (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.14 to 1.30; 3studies, 5223 participants; very low-certainty evidence); and for MI, RD was less than 1% (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.23 to 1.85; 3studies, 5003 participants; very low-certainty evidence). There were insufficient data on any stroke. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The evidence for the clinical endpoint effects ofevolocumab and alirocumab were graded as high. There is a strong evidence base to prescribe PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies to people who might not be eligible for other lipid-lowering drugs, or to people who cannot meet their lipid goals on more traditional therapies, which was the main patient population of the available trials. The evidence base of PCSK9 inhibitors compared with active treatment is much weaker (low very- to low-certainty evidence) and it is unclear whether evolocumab or alirocumab might be effectively used asreplacement therapies. Related, most of the available studies preferentially enrolled people with either established CVD or at a high risk already, and evidence in low- to medium-risk settings is minimal. Finally, there is very limited evidence on any potential safety issues of both evolocumab and alirocumab. While the current evidence synthesis does not reveal any adverse signals, neither does it provide evidence against such signals. This suggests careful consideration of alternative lipid lowering treatments before prescribing PCSK9 inhibitors.