Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering in real-world patients treated with evolocumab

LDL-C Reduction with Evolocumab Among Patients with ASCVD in China: Real-World Evidence from Tianjin Metropolitan Area

INTRODUCTION

Clinical trials have shown that adding evolocumab to statin therapy reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels by approximately 60%. Given differences in patient characteristics and standards of care between trial and real-world settings, we conducted a cohort study to evaluate the LDL-C reduction achieved with evolocumab in clinical practice of China.

METHODS

The data source was the Tianjin Regional Healthcare Database (TRHD), which includes linked electronic health records (EHR) of public hospitals serving over 15 million residents in the Tianjin metropolitan area. The study cohort included adult patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) who added evolocumab to their statin therapy between 2019 and 2023. Key inclusion criteria were use of the same statin intensity before and after evolocumab initiation and available LDL-C values at baseline (within 90 days before initiation) and follow-up (15-90 days after initiation). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze LDL-C change between baseline and follow-up. To provide the context for evolocumab use and for study method assessment, we included another cohort of patients with stable statin intensity (unchanged for at least 180 days)-a cohort with minimal clinical expectation of further LDL-C change over time.

RESULTS

At baseline, the median (interquartile range [IQR]) LDL-C level was 3.44 (2.73-4.15) mmol/L in the evolocumab cohort (n = 395) and 2.20 (1.72-2.92) mmol/L in the stable statin cohort (n = 4160). At follow-up, the mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) percentage reduction in LDL-C levels was 63.0% (60.5-65.5%) in the evolocumab cohort and 2.5% (0.3-4.7%) in the stable statin cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

LDL-C reductions in patients who added evolocumab to statin therapy in real-world clinical practice in China align with reductions observed in clinical trials.

Cardiovascular Outcomes of Early LDL-C Goal Achievement in Patients with Very-High-Risk ASCVD

INTRODUCTION

Clinical trial evidence supports early low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal achievement in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), but real-world evidence in Asia is lacking. We investigated the effects of early LDL-C goal achievement on recurrent major cardiovascular events (MACEs) among patients with very-high-risk ASCVD in South Korea.

METHODS

We included adult patients hospitalized with ASCVD (acute coronary syndrome [ACS], stable angina, ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, peripheral arterial disease, or asymptomatic coronary artery disease) at a major Korean tertiary hospital from 2000 to 2020. Patients were categorized into early or non-early target LDL-C groups based on LDL-C measured 4-12 weeks post-discharge (< 55 vs. ≥ 55 mg/dl). The primary outcome was recurrent MACEs, including myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, all-cause mortality, hospitalization for unstable angina, and coronary revascularization. The secondary outcome was health resource use (frequency/length of stay [LOS]).

RESULTS

During follow-up (mean: 5 years), the early target LDL-C group (n = 5702) had a lower risk of recurrent MACEs compared with the non-early target LDL-C group (n = 11,232; adjusted hazard ratio [95% CI]: 0.89 [0.82-0.96]). The effect was most pronounced in patients with ACS (0.73 [0.63-0.85]), particularly for recurrent MACEs within 6 months (0.61 [0.44-0.87]). The early target LDL-C group had 19% lower frequency and 31% shorter LOS for cardiovascular-related hospitalizations than the non-early group.

CONCLUSIONS

Early LDL-C goal achievement was associated with lower recurrent MACEs in patients with very-high-risk ASCVD in South Korea, especially in patients with ACS. These findings underscore the importance of early LDL-C management in improving cardiovascular outcomes.

Real-World Application of Evolocumab Among Patients with Hyperlipidemia in Korea: A Multicenter Prospective Study

INTRODUCTION

Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a major residual risk factor among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). In the absence of sufficient real-world evidence, this observational (noninterventional) study investigated the effectiveness and safety of evolocumab in patients with hyperlipidemia treated with evolocumab for ACS in a real-world clinical setting in Korea.

METHODS

Between January 2022 and February 2023, patients from 10 hospitals in Korea who initiated evolocumab within 24 weeks of an ACS event were enrolled. Data collected at visit 1 (evolocumab initiation) included patients' characteristics, comorbidities, and lipid-lowering therapies. LDL-C reduction from visit 1 (week 0) to visit 2 (week 8) was assessed. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who achieved LDL-C < 1.4 mmol/L (55 mg/dL) at follow-up; the secondary outcome was the proportion who achieved LDL-C < 1.8 mmol/L (70 mg/dL) at follow-up.

RESULTS

In this study, 89 out of 142 enrolled patients were included in the effectiveness analysis. The mean (SD) age of the included patients was 59.3 (12.3) years, with the majority being male (87.6%). Sixty-one patients received statin-ezetimibe combination therapy (68.5%). The median [Q1, Q3] LDL-C level at the start of the study was 2.5 [2.0, 3.0] mmol/L (98 [77, 115] mg/dL), which decreased to 1.3 [0.7, 1.7] mmol/L (49 [29, 67] mg/dL) after 8 weeks of evolocumab treatment, resulting in an mean (SD) 50.9 (28.6) % reduction and 1.4 (1.0) mmol/L (55.1 (37.9) mg/dL) absolute reduction. At follow-up, 55.1% and 78.7% of patients achieved LDL-C goals of < 1.4 mmol/L (55 mg/dL) and < 1.8 mmol/L (70 mg/dL), respectively. No adverse or serious adverse drug reactions were reported.

CONCLUSION

Evolocumab treatment was associated with significant LDL-C lowering and favorable safety and guideline-recommended LDL-C goal achievement rates among patients with ACS in the real-world clinical practice setting in South Korea.

Real-world effectiveness of monoclonal antibody inhibitors of PCSK9 in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) is a genetic condition that is associated with a high risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) due to elevated lipid levels. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) monoclonal antibody inhibitors have been shown to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) substantially. This study aimed to assess the real-world effectiveness of PCSK9 inhibitor therapy among patients with HeFH.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of patients with probable or definite HeFH on a PCSK9 inhibitor at a specialized lipid clinic between 2015 and 2022. The primary objective was the proportion of patients who attained a ≥50% reduction in LDL-C after 12 months of treatment.

RESULTS

In total, 141 patients were screened and 95 were included. Mean age was 63 years, 51% were female, and mean baseline LDL-C level was 4.0 mmol/L (155 mg/dL). A majority of patients (60%) had statin intolerance, and 73% were on ezetimibe. The most common PCSK9 inhibitor was evolocumab (94%). Overall, 74% of patients achieved a ≥50% reduction in LDL-C after 12 months of therapy. Mean LDL-C concentration decreased to 1.7 mmol/L (66 mg/dL) (approximately 59% reduction from baseline) after 12 months of follow-up but increased to 1.9 mmol/L (73 mg/dL) after ≥24 months of follow-up. Similar trends were observed in non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B. Lipoprotein(a) was significantly reduced by 45% over 12 months. Twelve percent of patients permanently discontinued therapy. Barriers to PCSK9i use were mostly related to cost.

CONCLUSIONS

In a real-world cohort of HeFH patients, most of which were intolerant to statins, a high majority were able to achieve a ≥50% reduction in LDL-C after 12 months of PCSK9 inhibitor therapy (mean reduction of approximately 59%), which is similar to clinical trial data of patients with ASCVD. A significant reduction in non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and lipoprotein(a) were also observed.

Novel Insights into the Management of Patients with Very High Cardiovascular Risk Eligible for PCSK9 Inhibitor Treatment: Baseline Findings from the PERI-DYS Study

AIM

The PERI-DYS study aims to characterize two groups of patients with dyslipidaemia at very high CV risk: PCSK9i receivers and patients qualifying for but not receiving PCSK9i.

METHODS

This is an observational study by office-based and clinic-based physicians, mainly cardiologists and other internists in Germany, with data extracted from patient charts.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov identifier NCT03110432.

RESULTS

A total of 1659 patients were enrolled across 70 sites. The majority of patients (91.0%) were reported as having mixed dyslipidaemia or non-familial or heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. At enrolment, 794 (47.9%) of patients were PCSK9i receivers (of these 65.9% ongoing, and 34.1% newly treated within 30 days before their baseline visit). Among PCSK9i receivers, the majority had evolocumab 140 mg (n = 632, 38.1% of total). PCSK9i receivers compared to non-receivers were about 2 years younger and had a lower proportion of males. In terms of comorbidities, they had (statistically significantly) more often CAD, and less often PAD, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension and chronic renal disease. The calculated untreated median LDL-C was 187 mg/dl (IQR 127; 270) in ongoing PCSK9i receivers, 212 mg/dl (IQR 132; 277) in newly treated PCSK9i receivers, and 179 mg/dl (IQR 129; 257) in non-receivers. Physician-reported statin intolerance was much more common in the two PCSK9i receiver groups as compared to non-receivers (67.3% versus 15.3%). Consequently, patients in the PCSK9i groups received fewer concomitant statins. Mean total cholesterol (143 vs. 172 mg/dl) and LDL-C (69 vs. 99 mg/dl) were considerably lower in ongoing PCSK9i receivers compared to non-receivers.

CONCLUSIONS

PCSK9i receivers are characterized by higher baseline LDL-C and a higher portion of statin intolerance compared to those qualified for but not-receiving PCSK9i treatment. On-treatment, LDL-C was lower in PCSK9i receivers. Ongoing follow-up will determine the prognostic importance of these findings.

Real-World Insights into Evolocumab Use in Patients with Hyperlipidemia Across Five Countries: Analysis from the ZERBINI Study

INTRODUCTION

This study characterizes patients receiving evolocumab in clinical practice and assesses treatment effectiveness, safety and persistence outcomes across five countries.

METHODS

This retrospective and prospective observational study enrolled patients initiated on evolocumab during August 2017 to July 2019 at 49 sites across Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Medical records data were extracted within 6 months prior to (baseline) and every 3 months for 12 months post evolocumab initiation and reported as available.

RESULTS

A total of 578 patients were enrolled (40.1% female, median age 60 [interquartile range (IQR) 51-68] years); 83.7% had atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and/or familial hypercholesterolemia. Median low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) at baseline was 3.4 (IQR 2.7-4.2) mmol/L (131.5 [IQR 104.4-162.4] mg/dL), with 75.6% of patients receiving a statin (59.2% high intensity). Compared to baseline, the median lowest LDL-C was reduced by 70.2% and remained stable over 12 months of treatment. Guideline-recommended LDL-C thresholds < 1.8, < 1.4 and < 1.0 mmol/L (< 70, < 55 and < 40 mg/dL) were achieved by 75.3%, 63.6% and 47.4% of patients. LDL-C outcomes were consistent across high- and very high-risk patients. Background lipid-lowering therapy remained relatively stable. No serious treatment-emergent adverse events were reported, and persistence to evolocumab was 90.2% at 12 months.

CONCLUSION

These findings provide real-world evidence that evolocumab use is in accordance with its international guideline-recommended place in dyslipidemia therapy, as well as confirmation of its effectiveness and safety in a heterogeneous population. Evolocumab can address a healthcare gap in the management of dyslipidemia by increasing the proportion of patients achieving LDL-C goals recommended to lower cardiovascular risk.

The First Report of a Real-World Experience With a PCSK9 Inhibitor in a Large Familial Hyperlipidemia and Very-High-Risk Middle Eastern Population

PURPOSE

Evolocumab, a monoclonal inhibitor of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9, has been shown to reduce proatherogenic lipoproteins in patients with or without familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), diabetes mellitus, or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). We explored the safety profile and clinical effectiveness of evolocumab in an outpatient population of Emirati individuals with FH diagnosed per Dutch Lipid Clinic Network criteria, previous ASCVD, or statin intolerance.

METHODS

This study was a retrospective review of patients initiating evolocumab treatment for any indication at Imperial College London Diabetes Centre between 2017 and 2020. All individuals followed up for at least 90 days or with at least one lipid panel postinitiation were included. Participants were subclassified into primary prevention (no previous ASCVD event, n = 81) and secondary prevention (any prior clinical ASCVD event, n = 102) groups.

FINDINGS

Evolocumab was initiated in 183 individuals (mean [SD] age, 51.5 [12.4] years; 51% male); 108 (59%) had a clinical or genetic FH diagnosis, and 70.5% had diabetes mellitus. Statin intolerance was a treatment indication in 60 (32.8%) individuals. At 90 days, substantial reductions in serum LDL-C, triglycerides (TG), and total cholesterol:HDL-C (TC:HDL-C) were observed in both the primary and secondary prevention groups, and both FH and non-FH individuals. In the primary prevention group, median (interquartile range) reduction in LDL-C was 43.7% (10.8%; 63.0%); TG, 15.0% (7.2%; 35.3%); and TC:HDL-C, 31.5% (11.1%; 46.0%). In the secondary prevention group, median (interquartile range) reduction in LDL-C was 48.3% (22%; 70%); TG, 19.6% (1.2%; 32.5%); and TC:HDL-C, 32.6% (14.6%; 46.3%) (all, P < 0.0001). American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association LDL-C targets were consistently achieved in 114 (62.3%) patients during a follow-up of 359 (79-639) days. Nonattainment of the LDL-C target was attributed to nonadherence in 36 (52.2%) patients and discontinuation of treatment in 14 (20.3%) patients. Evolocumab was discontinued in 4 patients because of adverse events.

IMPLICATIONS

This study is the first from the Middle East and North Africa region that reports the real-world efficacy of evolocumab in a mixed risk population of individuals with FH and other non-FH indications. Clinically meaningful and sustained reductions in LDL-C, TG, and cholesterol ratios were observed after evolocumab initiation. Few adverse events were reported in this predominantly Arabic population, consistent with previous safety reports for evolocumab. Notable strengths of this study include a relatively large cohort, patient heterogeneity and high retention, and a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Despite these strengths, the study has some limitations, including the selection bias due to the retrospective design and absence of comparative group. (Clin Ther. 2022;44:XXX-XXX) © 2022 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc.

Assessment of the Quality of Drug Therapy in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease in the Second Stage of the ALIGN Study

Aim. To assess adjusted pharmacotherapy for prescribing drugs of the main classes, according to clinical guidelines, and achieving target levels of lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD).

Material and methods. Of the 73 patients included in the ALIGN study, 64 patients (53 males and 11 females; mean age 68,2±9,4 years) with stable coronary artery disease attended a second visit (3 months after the initial treatment adjustment). Prescribed drug therapy, its compliance with clinical guidelines, achievement of lipid profile and blood pressure (BP) targets were studied in all patients.

Results. An increase in the frequency of taking beta-blockers (p=0.002), lipid-lowering drugs (p=0.008) by patients was found during the second visit. The proportion of patients taking all 4 groups of drugs according to clinical guidelines (statins, antiplatelet agents, beta-blockers, angiotensinconverting enzyme inhibitors / angiotensin II receptor blockers) increased from 44% to 65.5% (p<0.001) after correction of therapy, as well as an increase in the proportion of patients taking 1 antianginal drug in the presence of exertional angina from 75% to 89% (p<0.001) was found. About 90% of hypertensive patients achieved the target level of systolic blood pressure (p<0.001). Achievement of the target level of cholesterol low density lipoprotein (<1.8 mmol/l) during the second visit was found in half of the patients (p=0.004).

Conclusion. Despite the initial correction of drug therapy by the staff of the cardiology department, the prescribed treatment for patients with stable coronary artery disease did not in all cases comply with clinical guidelines due to insufficient adherence of doctors and insufficient adherence of patients to prescribed medical recommendations.

Working group of the register PROFILE: Voronina V. P., Dmitrieva N. A., Komkova N. A., Zagrebelny A.V., Kutishenko N.P., Lerman O.V., Lukina Yu. V., Tolpygina S.N., Martsevich S.Yu.

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering in real-world patients treated with evolocumab

Background

Low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) is a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). There are limited real‐world data on LDL‐C lowering with evolocumab in United States clinical practice.

Hypothesis

We assessed LDL‐C lowering during 1 year of evolocumab therapy.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study used linked laboratory (Prognos) and medical claims (IQVIA Dx/LRx and PharMetrics Plus^®) data. Patients with a first fill for evolocumab between 7/1/2015 and 10/31/2019 (index event) and LDL‐C ≥ 70 mg/dL were included (overall cohort; N = 5897). Additionally, a patient subgroup with a recent myocardial infarction (MI) within 12 months (median 130 days) before the first evolocumab fill was identified (N = 152). Reduction from baseline LDL‐C was calculated based on the lowest LDL‐C value recorded during a 12‐month follow‐up period.

Results

The mean (SD) age was 65 (10) years; 61.9% of patients had ASCVD diagnoses and 70.7% of patients were in receipt of lipid‐lowering therapy. Following evolocumab treatment, changes in LDL‐C from baseline were −60% in the overall cohort (median [interquartile range (IQR)] 146 [115–180] mg/dL to 58 [36–84] mg/dL) and −65% in the recent MI subgroup (median [IQR] 137 [109–165] mg/dL to 48 [30–78] mg/dL). In the overall cohort and recent MI subgroup, 62.1% and 69.7% of patients achieved LDL‐C < 70 mg/dL, respectively.

Conclusions

In this real‐world analysis, evolocumab was associated with significant reductions in LDL‐C comparable to that seen in the FOURIER clinical trial, which were durable over 1 year of treatment.