Efficacy of Alirocumab, Evolocumab, and Inclisiran in Patients with Hypercholesterolemia at Increased Cardiovascular Risk

Medicina (Kaunas). 2024 Jul 12;60(7):1124. doi: 10.3390/medicina60071124.

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) levels is critical for preventing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, yet some patients fail to reach the LDL-C targets despite available intensive lipid-lowering therapies. This study assessed the effectiveness and safety profile of alirocumab, evolocumab, and inclisiran in lipid reduction. Materials and Methods: A cohort of 51 patients (median (Q1-Q3) age: 49.0 (39.5-57.5) years) was analyzed. Eligibility included an LDL-C level > 2.5 mmol/L while on the maximum tolerated dose of statin and ezetimibe, a diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia, or a very high risk of cardiovascular diseases following myocardial infarction within 12 months prior to the study. Follow-ups and lab assessments were conducted at baseline (51 patients), 3 months (51 patients), and 15 months (26 patients) after the treatment initiation. Results: Median initial LDL-C levels 4.1 (2.9-5.0) mmol/L, decreasing significantly to 1.1 (0.9-1.6) mmol/L at 3 months and 1.0 (0.7-1.8) mmol/L at 15 months (p < 0.001). Total cholesterol also reduced significantly compared to baseline at both intervals (p < 0.001). No substantial differences in LDL-C or total cholesterol levels were observed between 3- and 15-month observations (p > 0.05). No statistically significant differences were noted in cholesterol reduction among the alirocumab, evolocumab, and inclisiran groups at 3 months. The safety profile was favorable, with no reported adverse cardiovascular events or significant changes in alanine transaminase, creatinine, or creatine kinase levels. Conclusions: Alirocumab, evolocumab, and inclisiran notably decreased LDL-C and total cholesterol levels without significant adverse effects, underscoring their potential as effective treatments in patients who do not achieve lipid targets with conventional therapies.

Keywords: alirocumab; evolocumab; hypercholesterolemia; inclisiran; proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized* / therapeutic use
  • Anticholesteremic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / prevention & control
  • Cholesterol, LDL* / blood
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypercholesterolemia* / blood
  • Hypercholesterolemia* / complications
  • Hypercholesterolemia* / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • evolocumab
  • alirocumab
  • Anticholesteremic Agents
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • ALN-PCS
  • RNA, Small Interfering

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.