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Alirocumab: targeting PCSK9 to treat hypercholesterolemia

I Pećin1, Ž Reiner2

  • 1University Hospital Center Zagreb, Department of Internal Medicine, Kišpatićeva 12, Zagreb, Croatia; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.

Drugs of Today (Barcelona, Spain : 1998)
|January 23, 2016
PubMed

Insights

New PCSK9 inhibitors like alirocumab offer significant LDL cholesterol reduction for patients not achieving goals with statins. This review covers current evidence on alirocumab

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Pharmacology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is crucial for preventing coronary heart disease (CHD) in both primary and secondary prevention.
  • Statins are the primary treatment, but many high-risk patients do not reach target LDL cholesterol levels.
  • This highlights the need for novel lipid-lowering therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current evidence on alirocumab, a novel proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor.
  • To discuss the efficacy and safety of alirocumab in treating hypercholesterolemia.
  • To provide an overview of its role in achieving LDL cholesterol targets.

Main Methods:

  • Review of available clinical trial data and scientific literature on alirocumab.
  • Analysis of studies evaluating LDL cholesterol reduction and safety profiles.
  • Focus on evidence supporting its use in hypercholesterolemia management.

Main Results:

  • Alirocumab, a PCSK9 inhibitor, effectively lowers LDL cholesterol by up to 60%.
  • Its safety profile is comparable to placebo in current studies.
  • It represents a significant advancement for patients with refractory hypercholesterolemia.

Conclusions:

  • Alirocumab is a promising new therapeutic option for managing hypercholesterolemia.
  • It offers substantial LDL cholesterol lowering for patients unable to reach targets with existing therapies.
  • Further outcome studies are anticipated to confirm long-term benefits.

Keywords:
AlirocumabCardiovascular riskHypercholesterolemiaLDL cholesterolMonoclonal antibodyPCSK9SAR-236553/REGN-727

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