Highlights From the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions-ApoB as a Risk Marker, an Oral PCSK9 Inhibitor, and Aspirin and Dementia

Targeting PCSK9 and Beyond for the Management of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol

Reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels is crucial to the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, many patients, especially those at very high ASCVD risk or with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), do not achieve target LDL-C levels with statin monotherapy. The underutilization of novel lipid-lowering therapies (LLT) globally may be due to cost concerns or therapeutic inertia. Emerging approaches have the potential to lower LDL-C and reduce ASCVD risk further, in addition to offering alternatives for statin-intolerant patients. Shifting the treatment paradigm towards initial combination therapy and utilizing novel LLT strategies can complement existing treatments. This review discusses innovative approaches including combination therapies involving statins and agents like ezetimibe, bempedoic acid, cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitors as well as strategies targeting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3) inhibition. Advances in nucleic acid-based therapies and gene editing are innovative approaches that will improve patient compliance and adherence. These strategies demonstrate significant LDL-C reductions and improved cardiovascular outcomes, offering potential for optimal LDL-C control and reduced ASCVD risk. By addressing the limitations of statin monotherapy, these approaches provide new management options for elevated LDL-C levels.

New Trends and Therapies for Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is associated with an elevated risk of atherosclerosis. The finding of monogenic defects indicates higher atherosclerotic risk in comparison with hypercholesterolemia of other etiologies. However, in heterozygous FH, cardiovascular risk is heterogeneous and depends not only on high cholesterol levels but also on the presence of other biomarkers and genes. The development of atherosclerosis risk scores specific for heterozygous FH and the use of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis imaging help with identifying higher-risk individuals who may benefit from further cholesterol lowering with PCSK9 inhibitors. There is no question about the extreme high risk in homozygous FH, and intensive LDL-cholesterol-lowering therapy must be started as soon as possible. These patients have gained life free of events in comparison with the past, but a high atherosclerosis residual risk persists. Furthermore, there is also the issue of aortic and supra-aortic valve disease development. Newer therapies such as inhibitors of microsomal transfer protein and angiopoietin-like protein 3 have opened the possibility of LDL-cholesterol normalization in homozygous FH and may provide an alternative to lipoprotein apheresis for these patients. Gene-based therapies may provide more definite solutions for lowering high LDL cholesterol and consequent atherosclerosis risk for people with FH.