27 Mar PCSK9 Antibody May Revolutionize Treatment of Atherosclerosis and Acute Coronary Syndrome
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Paul Gurbel
Paul A. Gurbel, M.D.
Director, Inova Center for Thrombosis Research and Drug Development
Director, Cardiovascular Medicine Research
Director, Interventional Cardiology
Inova Heart and Vascular Institute
Falls Church, VA
Professor of Medicine,
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Adjunct Professor of Medicine,
Duke University School of Medicine
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this review? What are the main findings?
Dr. Gurbel: In current practice, treatment with statins and antiplatelet agents is the primary strategy to reduce death and ischemic cardiovascular events following ACS (acute coronary syndrome)/PCI. Immediately following ACS, many patients are incompletely responsive to potent current therapy and remain at high risk for recurrent thrombotic events. Treatment with monoclonal antibodies that target proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a new potent lipid lowering therapy. Recent studies have shown that PCSK9 antibodies combined with statins provided marked additional benefits in reducing atherogenic lipid fractions. In a recent meta-analysis, PCSK9 antibody therapy was also associated with a reduction in mortality and no increase in serious adverse events. In the current Narrative Review, we focused on novel pathways affected by PCSK9 antibodies that may make them appropriate for immediate treatment in patients with acute coronary syndrome.
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?
Dr. Gurbel: PCSK9 antibodies, in addition to markedly reducing LDL levels, may also reduce pro-inflammatory oxidized LDL levels and platelet function. The latter properties, in addition to plaque stabilization, may provide antithrombotic properties favorably influencing clinical outcomes following acute administration at the time of acute coronary syndrome.
MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Gurbel: In addition to a potent lipid lowering effect, PCSK9 antibody therapy when administered immediately at the time of acute coronary syndrome in addition to standard statin and antiplatelet therapy may provide additional antithrombotic effects. The latter novel properties of PCSK9 antibodies may be associated with improved patient outcomes. However, at this time there is no direct evidence for recommending PCSK9 antibody therapy in patients at the time of presentation with acute coronary syndrome .
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Gurbel: A large scale randomized study assessing the clinical effects of PCSK9 antibody therapy on top of current statin and antiplatelet therapy is needed. In addition, mechanistic studies to further delineate anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic effects of PCSK9 antibody therapy are also needed.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Dr. Gurbel: PCSK9 antibody therapy provides marked lowering of LDL. The latter property may revolutionize the treatment of patients with atherosclerosis. The potential antithrombotic effects of PCSK9 antibody therapy, in turn, may revolutionize acute therapy of ACS.
MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.
Citation:
Navarese EP, Kołodziejczak M, Kereiakes DJ, Tantry US, O’Connor C, Gurbel PA. Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 Monoclonal Antibodies for Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Narrative Review. Ann Intern Med. [Epub ahead of print 22 March 2016] doi:10.7326/M15-2994
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Dr. Paul Gurbel (2016). PCSK9 Antibody May Revolutionize Treatment of Atherosclerosis and Acute Coronary Syndrome MedicalResearch.com
Last Updated on March 27, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD