Changes in inflammatory biomarkers in patients treated with ticagrelor or clopidogrel

Inflammation is a key factor in the development of atherosclerotic disease and acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The P2Y(12) receptor antagonists ticagrelor (AZD6140) and clopidogrel may have anti-inflammatory effects. The objective of this analysis from the Dose Confirmation Study Assessing Anti-Platelet Effects of AZD6140 vs Clopidogrel in NSTEMI 2 (DISPERSE 2) trial was to compare ticagrelor and clopidogrel for effects on the inflammatory biomarkers C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L).

Ticagrelor inhibits the P2Y(12) receptor and inflammation to a greater extent than clopidogrel in nonST-segment elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS) patients.

In a double-blind, double-dummy, multicenter trial, 990 patients who had been hospitalized within the previous 48 hours with NSTE-ACS were randomized to receive ticagrelor 90 mg twice daily, ticagrelor 180 mg twice daily, or clopidogrel 300 mg initially and then 75 mg once daily. Within the ticagrelor groups, patients were also randomized to receive or not receive a loading dose of ticagrelor 270 mg initially. All patients received standard treatment for ACS, which included 325 mg aspirin initially and 75 to 100 mg aspirin each day subsequently. Inflammatory biomarkers were measured at baseline, upon hospital discharge, and after 4 weeks.

Inflammatory biomarker measurements were not significantly different among treatment groups at baseline, discharge, and 4 weeks.

Ticagrelor and clopidogrel appeared not to differ in this study with respect to the inflammatory biomarkers CRP, IL-6, MPO, and sCD40L in patients with NSTE-ACS.