Metabolism Xagena
Inhibition of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 ( PCSK9 ) has been intensively studied to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) levels.
The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of anti-PCSK9 antibodies in randomized, controlled trials ( RCTs ).
Safety outcomes were rates of common adverse events. Efficacy outcomes included percentages of LDL cholesterol lowering and other lipid changes compared with placebo and Ezetimibe, respectively.
Twenty-five RCTs encompassing 12,200 patients were included.
The rates of common adverse events were firstly reported in the study by pooling together all evidence in RCTs, showing largely no significant difference between anti-PCSK9 antibodies and placebo ( or Ezetimibe ), except that Alirocumab ( Praluent ) was associated with reduced rates of death ( relative risk, RR=0.43, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 0.19 to 0.96, P = 0.04 ) and an increased rate of injection-site reactions ( RR=1.48, 95 % CI: 1.05 to 2.09, P = 0.02 ); Evolocumab ( Repatha ) reduced the rate of abnormal liver function ( RR=0.43, 95 % CI: 0.20 to 0.93, P = 0.03 ), both compared with placebo.
No significant difference in safety outcomes was detected between monthly 420 mg and biweekly 140 mg Evolocumab treatments.
Monthly 420 mg Evolocumab treatment significantly reduced LDL cholesterol by -54.6 % ( 95 % CI: -58.7 to -50.5 % ) and by absolute -78.9 mg/dl ( 95 % CI: -88.9 to -68.9 mg/dl ) versus placebo, and by -36.3 % ( 95 % CI: -38.8 to -33.9 % ) versus Ezetimibe ( Zetia ), and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) by 7.6 % ( 95 % CI: 5.7 to 9.5 % ) versus placebo and 6.4 % ( 95 % CI: 4.3 to 8.4 % ) versus Ezetimibe.
An equal or even greater change was observed following biweekly 140 mg administration.
Significant and favorable changes were also detected in other lipids following Evolocumab treatment.
Biweekly 50 to 150 mg Alirocumab lowered LDL cholesterol by -52.6 % ( 95 % CI: -58.2 to -47.0 % ) versus placebo, by -29.9 % ( 95 % CI: -32.9 to -26.9 % ) versus Ezetimibe, and increased HDL cholesterol by 8.0 % ( 95 % CI: 4.2 to 11.7 % ) versus placebo.
In conclusion, Evolocumab and Alirocumab were safe and well-tolerated from the most-powered analyses.
Both antibodies substantially reduced the LDL cholesterol level by over 50 %, increased the HDL cholesterol level, and resulted in favorable changes in other lipids. ( Xagena )
Zhang XL et al, BMC Med. 2015;13:123. doi: 10.1186/s12916-015-0358-8.
XagenaMedicine_2015
