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Apabetalone - BET protein inhibition in cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes
Julia Brandts1,2, Kausik K Ray2
1Department of Medicine I, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
Abstract:
Apabetalone is the first selective BET protein inhibitor in the field of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). BET proteins are epigenetic regulators that link upstream epigenetic modifications to downstream gene expression. Inhibition of BET proteins by apabetalone has been shown to modulate reverse cholesterol transport, coagulation, inflammation and vascular calcification. Furthermore, apabetalone reduces circulating markers of CVD risk and plaque vulnerability. Post-hoc pooled analyses suggest a potential reduction in risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and stable CVD. However, the current cardiovascular outcomes trial BET-on-MACE failed to detect the assumed 30% reduction of MACE by apabetalone in patients with T2D after an acute coronary syndrome.
Insights
Apabetalone, a BET protein inhibitor, showed potential in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) by modulating risk factors. However, the BET-on-MACE trial did not confirm a significant reduction in major adverse cardiac events (MACE) for Type 2 diabetes patients post-acute coronary syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Epigenetics
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- BET proteins are epigenetic regulators crucial for gene expression.
- Apabetalone is a selective BET protein inhibitor targeting cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
- Previous analyses suggested apabetalone may reduce CVD risk markers and plaque vulnerability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of apabetalone in reducing major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and stable CVD.
- To investigate the impact of apabetalone on cardiovascular outcomes in T2D patients following an acute coronary syndrome.
Main Methods:
- Apabetalone's effects on reverse cholesterol transport, coagulation, inflammation, and vascular calcification were studied.
- Post-hoc pooled analyses of existing data were conducted.
- The BET-on-MACE cardiovascular outcomes trial assessed MACE reduction in T2D patients post-acute coronary syndrome.
Main Results:
- Apabetalone demonstrated modulation of key CVD pathways including cholesterol transport and inflammation.
- Circulating markers of CVD risk and plaque vulnerability were reduced by apabetalone.
- The BET-on-MACE trial did not meet its primary endpoint, failing to show a 30% reduction in MACE.
Conclusions:
- While apabetalone influences CVD-related biological processes, the BET-on-MACE trial did not confirm its efficacy in reducing MACE in T2D patients after acute coronary syndrome.
- Further research may be needed to clarify apabetalone's role in specific cardiovascular patient populations.
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