Experimental drug reduces levels of fatal type of cholesterol for up to a year in trial
A dose of an experimental drug reduced the levels of a fatal type of cholesterol for up to a year despite previous knowledge that it's untreatable.
NBC News reported that pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly's Lepodisiran cut the lipoprotein(a) levels by 93.9% after six months based on the results of a Phase 2 clinical trial that included 320 people.
The effects waned after a year but only slightly, reaching 88.5% lower than the baseline.
Those in the clinical trial who received a second dose at six months got a 94.8% reduction at the one-year mark.
Experts said the findings are a critical step toward treating those with high levels of Lp(a).
“These drugs have the potential to nearly eliminate that lipoprotein," said Dr. Eric Brandt, director of preventive cardiology at the University of Michigan Health Frankel Cardiovascular Center. He wasn’t involved in the study.
Lead researcher Dr. Steven Nissen—chief academic officer of the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at the Cleveland Clinic— said they haven't been able to treat Lp(a) until now.
"This is a major source of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality,” Nissen said.
Lepodisiran works by targeting the messenger RNA that carries instructions to proteins in the body to make Lp(a). Simply put, it shoots the messenger.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Lp(a) deposits cholesterol in the arteries and can show up in plaque. It’s also found in cells that line small blood vessels and in tissues where regeneration and healing occur.
Increased Lp(a) levels have been linked to a higher risk for cardiovascular disease, like heart attack, stroke, irregular heartbeat, heart valve disease, and limited lower-body circulation.
About 20% to 30% of people worldwide are thought to have high levels of Lp(a).
