Researchers have discovered experimental drugs that significantly reduce cholesterol-like particles. Heart attack and strokes.
Many Americans don’t know that elevated levels of this particle, known as lipoprotein (a) or LP (a), are circulating in the blood.
The LP elevated (a) cannot be changed due to lifestyle changes and is called “one of the last untreated frontiers of cardiovascular risk” by the Cleveland Clinic, which led the study.
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This new study confirms previous findings Experimental drugs – The repodisilan, created by Eli Lily, who funded the research, can “silence” the main genes involved in the synthesis of LP(a).
(Another experimental gene therapy with similar mechanisms of action is also under development, according to Cleveland Clinic.)
Researchers have discovered experimental drugs that significantly reduce cholesterol-like particles, which can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. (istock)
The findings were published in the New England Journal of Medicine and were also announced at the American College of Cardiovascular Sciences’ Annual Meeting on March 30th.
You need to know about LP (a)
According to the American Heart Association, lipoprotein (A) levels have risen at around 20-25% worldwide.
This amounts to approximately 64 million people in the United States and 1.4 billion people worldwide.
LP(a) shares similarity with another lipoprotein targeted by physicians to reduce the risk of heart disease known as low-density lipoprotein (LDL).
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However, according to lead author Stephen Nissen, MD, who is the chief academic officer of the Cleveland Clinic’s Vascular and Thoracic Research Institute, lipoprotein (a) tends to accumulate more plaque in arteries and thrombus than LDL.
“Lipoprotein (a) is primarily an independent risk factor for heart disease Determined by genetics – So it’s inherited,” Dr. Deepak L. Bhatt, director of Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Heart Heart Heart at Icahn School of Medicine in Mount Sinai, New York, told Fox News Digital (he wasn’t part of the research).
According to the American Heart Association, lipoprotein (A) levels have risen at around 20-25% worldwide. (istock)
LP(A) is primarily determined by the differences in one gene, and LDL cholesterol levels are affected by multiple genes.
“This is a huge difference and LDL has much larger environmental components,” Nissen said.
“LP(a) is an independent risk factor for heart disease, determined primarily by genetics.”
Diet, exercise, weight loss It may help reduce LDL levels, but does not affect LP(a) levels, experts say.
Also, unlike LDL, which can be reduced with drugs like statins, there are currently no approved drug treatments that lower LP (a).
“There are no approved drug therapies for lipoprotein (a) by regulatory authorities in any country around the world,” Nissen confirmed.
Research Design
The researchers conducted clinical trials on 320 individuals from November 11, 2022 to April 17, 2023, involving 320 individuals from Argentina, China, China, Denmark, Germany, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain and the United States.
Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or one or two subcutaneous injections of repositilan.
Diet, exercise, and weight loss can help reduce LDL levels, but they do not affect LP(a) levels, experts say. (istock)
The normal level of LP(a) is less than 75 nanomoles per liter, and the average level People at the trial Nissen told Fox News Digital.
“They were very high – more than three times the normal limit,” he added.
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After one injection of the highest dose, participants showed that their lipoprotein (a) levels were reduced by almost 100% at 6 months.
Those who received their second dose in six months maintained a nearly 100% reduction in the 1-year mark.
In other words, according to Nissen, treatment removed virtually all lipoprotein (a) from the blood.
Unlike traditional cholesterol, which doctors usually monitor over time, lipoprotein (a) should be checked once in a lifetime. (istock)
Cardiologists say these findings may be the end Please help with treatment Millions of Americans are increasing in LP(a) levels.
“The results are very impressive,” Batt said.
Potential limitations
Researchers pointed out that they had no majors. Safety concernshowever, 12% of participants reported mild responses at the injection site.
Previous studies showed that there were only a few black participants in this study. This was only a few black participants.
(To address this concern, researchers are enrolling more Black patients in larger Phase 3 clinical trials.)
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Another limitation was that the effect of the higher doses was unknown as only two repositilanes were administered in the trial.
This study also showed that reducing LP(a) levels also reduced risk. Heart attack and strokesexternal experts pointed out.
Both the European Association of Cardiology and the National Lipid Association of America recommend that all adults check their LP(a) levels. (istock)
“A phase 3 trial testing the clinical impact of this drug is necessary to see if a significant reduction in LP(a) leads to a lower incidence of heart attacks,” Batt said.
Nissen confirmed that a Phase 3 exam to address this question is already underway.
“The level when you’re 24 is when you’re 64. It’s genetic so it doesn’t change.”
Both the European Association of Cardiology and the National Lipid Association of America recommend that all adults check their LP(a) levels.
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“I have checked all my patients’ LP levels over the years,” Batt said.
But it’s different from Traditional cholesterolas doctors usually monitor it over time, Nissen pointed out that lipoprotein (a) should be checked once in a lifetime.
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“Whatever level you get when you’re 24, it’s the level you get when you’re 64. That doesn’t change because it’s genetic,” he said.
“So you need to get it once and if you get it early in your life, you know you’re in danger and you can live your life accordingly.”
