Evaluating pharmacokinetics of bempedoic acid in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia

Pathophysiology and Clinical Management of Dyslipidemia in People Living with HIV: Sailing through Rough Seas

Infections with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) represent one of the greatest health burdens worldwide. The complex pathophysiological pathways that link highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and HIV infection per se with dyslipidemia make the management of lipid disorders and the subsequent increase in cardiovascular risk essential for the treatment of people living with HIV (PLHIV). Amongst HAART regimens, darunavir and atazanavir, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, nevirapine, rilpivirine, and especially integrase inhibitors have demonstrated the most favorable lipid profile, emerging as sustainable options in HAART substitution. To this day, statins remain the cornerstone pharmacotherapy for dyslipidemia in PLHIV, although important drug-drug interactions with different HAART agents should be taken into account upon treatment initiation. For those intolerant or not meeting therapeutic goals, the addition of ezetimibe, PCSK9, bempedoic acid, fibrates, or fish oils should also be considered. This review summarizes the current literature on the multifactorial etiology and intricate pathophysiology of hyperlipidemia in PLHIV, with an emphasis on the role of different HAART agents, while also providing valuable insights into potential switching strategies and therapeutic options.

Efficacy and safety of bempedoic acid lipid-lowering therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

AIM

This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to synthesize the efficacy and safety of bempedoic acid in patients requiring lipid-lowering therapy.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases were searched for randomized controlled trials from inception till June 2023. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality, serum lipid profile, and adverse events between bempedoic acid and comparators. ROB2 was used for risk of bias assessment. We pooled mean differences or relative risks (RR) along with 95% confidence intervals (random-effects model).

RESULTS

Five-hundred and thirty-one studies were screened and 17 (n = 21,131) were included for review. There was a significant reduction in the risk of MACE [RR, 0.88 (95% CI: 0.77 to 0.99), p = 0.03)] and all-cause mortality [RR, 0.90 (95% CI: 0.82 to 0.98), p = 0.02] following bempedoic acid treatment. Treatment with bempedoic acid led to a significant reduction in the mean serum total cholesterol [- 34.41 mg/dl (95% CI: - 42.43 to - 26.39), p < 0.001], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) [- 33.91 mg/dl (95% CI: - 39.66 to - 28.17), p < 0.001], as well as high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) [- 2.40 mg/dl (95% CI: - 3.09 to - 1.71), p < 0.001] levels. However, there was a significant increase in the risk of hyperuricemia [RR, 2.05 (95% CI: 1.81 to 2.33), p < 0.001] following bempedoic acid treatment. The number needed to harm was large for all safety outcomes. The GRADE of evidence was moderate for all outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Bempedoic acid reduces the risk of MACE and all-cause mortality, lowers serum total cholesterol and LDL-C levels, and has a favorable safety profile. Trial registration ClinicalTrial.gov Identifier: CRD42023412837.

Untangling the relationship between bempedoic acid and gout: results from a systematic literature review

Background

Bempedoic acid (BA) is a small-molecule first-in-class of inhibitor of ATP citrate lyase that significantly lowers low-density lipoproteins cholesterol (LDL-c) in statin-intolerant and inadequate responders. Increased serum uric acid (SUA) levels and gout incidence have been described in BA-treated patients. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the safety of BA regarding SUA levels and gout in randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods

A search on 7 databases was performed from inception to May 4, 2023. RCTs of BA monotherapy or combination with other lipid-lowering treatment (LLT) in patients with increased LDL-c were included. Dual data extraction was performed with disagreements resolved through consensus. Due to the methodological purpose of this review risk-of-bias assessment of studies was not performed.

Results

6 Phase 3 RCTs (N = 17,975 patients of which 9,635 received BA) 9 Phase 2 RCTs (N = 362 patients of which 170 received BA) and an open-label extension of a Phase 3 RCT were included. Gout and/or hyperuricemia were not mentioned as exclusion criteria, previous/current use of urate-lowering therapies (ULT) and/or colchicine and/or dietary patterns were not reported. Phase 3 RCTs: 2 studies specified the number of patients experiencing hyperuricemia over the study period (BA: 4.9%-11%; placebo: 1.9%-5.6%) and the effect size was significant only in 1 study (OR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.8-2.3). Four RCTs reported a higher incidence of gout in the BA arm however, when we calculated the effect size, it was small and often not significant. Two studies reported 0 cases of gout. The paucity of information about SUA levels at baseline and/or at the end of follow-up do not allow us to quantify the effect sizes for BA-induced SUA elevation. Data on gout from Phase 2 RCTs is scant.

Conclusions

Data from phase 2 and 3 RCTs do not allow for confirming a clear association between BA and gout. It is conceivable that a careful assessment of SUA levels/history of gout at baseline and the concomitant use of urate-lowering agents may be instrumental to minimise the risk of new-onset gout/gout flares in patients treated with BA.

Beyond statins: New pharmacological targets to decrease LDL-cholesterol and cardiovascular events

The pharmacological treatment of dyslipidemia, a major modifiable risk factor for developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), remains a debated and controversial issue, not only in terms of the most appropriate therapeutic range for lipid levels, but also with regard to the optimal strategy and sequence approach (stepwise vs upstream therapy). Current treatment guidelines for the management of dyslipidemia focus on the intensity of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction, stratified according to risk for developing ASCVD. Beyond statins and ezetimibe, different medications targeting LDL-C have been recently approved by regulatory agencies with potential innovative mechanisms of action, including proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 modulators (monoclonal antibodies such as evolocumab and alirocumab; small interfering RNA molecules such as inclisiran), ATP-citrate lyase inhibitors (bempedoic acid), angiopoietin-like 3 inhibitors (evinacumab), and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitors (lomitapide). An understanding of their pharmacological aspects, benefit-risk profile, including impact on hard cardiovascular endpoints beyond LDL-C reduction, and potential advantages from the patient perspective (e.g., adherence) - the focus of this evidence-based review - is crucial for practitioners across medical specialties to minimize therapeutic inertia and support clinical practice.

Phase 1, Single- and Multiple-Ascending-Dose, Food-Effect, and East Asian Subject Studies to Assess the Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Tolerability of Bempedoic Acid, a Selective Inhibitor of Adenosine Triphosphate Citrate Lyase

Bempedoic acid is an adenosine triphosphate citrate lyase inhibitor that lowers low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis and upregulating hepatic low-density lipoprotein receptor expression. After oral dosing, bempedoic acid was readily absorbed, attaining maximum concentrations with a median time of 3.5 hours, and may be taken without regard to food. Steady-state oral pharmacokinetics in healthy adults receiving bempedoic acid at the approved 180 mg/day dose were characterized by mean maximum concentration of 20.6 µg/mL, area under the concentration-time curve over 24 hours of 289 µg·h/mL, and elimination half-life of 21.1 hours. Multiple-dose pharmacokinetics were linear at bempedoic acid doses of 120-220 mg/day. Circulating concentrations of the active metabolite ESP15228 were 18.0% of bempedoic acid concentrations on average. Comparisons of bempedoic acid 180 mg/day pharmacokinetics after single and multiple dosing revealed no clinically meaningful differences between Japanese, Chinese, and Western subjects. Mean estimates of bempedoic acid elimination half-life in Japanese (25.2 hours) and Chinese (20.0 hours) subjects were comparable to Western subjects (23.9 hours) following 14 days of once-daily dosing. Bempedoic acid was generally safe and well tolerated up to a dose of 220 mg/day across the study populations described herein.

Bempedoic acid and its role in contemporary management of hyperlipidemia in atherosclerosis

Atherosclerotic heart disease is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the USA. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) has been the target for many hypolipidemic agents to modify atherosclerotic risk. Bempedoic acid is a novel hypolipidemic drug that inhibits the enzymatic activity of ATP citrate lyase in the cholesterol synthesis pathway. CLEAR Harmony, CLEAR Wisdom, CLEAR Tranquillity and CLEAR Serenity have shown safety and efficacy associated with long term administration of this drug. Studies have shown effectiveness in reducing LDL-C in both statin intolerant patients and in patients on maximally tolerated doses of statin. The fixed drug combination of bempedoic acid and ezetimibe in a recent phase III showed significant reduction in LDL compared with placebo, which might be a promising future for LDL reduction among statin intolerant patients. Bempedoic acid also reduced inflammatory markers like hs-CRP. Given these results, bempedoic acid alone and in combination with ezetimibe received the USA FDA approval for adults with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia or established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. We present a comprehensive review exploring the underlying mechanism, pre-clinical studies, and clinical trials of bempedoic acid and discuss the potential future role of the drug in treating hyperlipidaemia.

Mechanism of action and therapeutic use of bempedoic acid in atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome

Bempedoic acid is a new cholesterol-lowering drug, which has recently received US FDA and EMA approval. This drug targets lipid and glucose metabolism as well as inflammation via downregulation of ATP-citrate lyase and upregulation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). The primary effect is the reduction of cholesterol synthesis in the liver and its administration is generally not associated to unwanted muscle effects. Suppression of hepatic fatty acid synthesis leads to decreased triglycerides and, possibly, improved non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Bempedoic acid may decrease gluconeogenesis leading to improved insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism, and metabolic syndrome. The anti-inflammatory action of bempedoic acid is mainly achieved via activation of AMPK pathway in the immune cells, leading to decreased plasma levels of C-reactive protein. Effects of bempedoic acid on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and chronic liver disease have been assessed in randomized clinical trials but require further confirmation. Safety clinical trials in phase III indicate that bempedoic acid administration is generally well-tolerated in combination with statins, ezetimibe, or proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors to achieve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol targets. The aim of this narrative review on bempedoic acid is to explore the underlying mechanisms of action and potential clinical targets, present existing evidence from clinical trials, and describe practical management of patients.

Management of High-Risk Hypercholesterolemic Patients and PCSK9 Inhibitors Reimbursement Policies: Data from a Cohort of Italian Hypercholesterolemic Outpatients

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors are effective and safe lipid-lowering treatments (LLT). The primary endpoint of the study was to assess the prevalence of patients eligible for treatment with PCSK9 inhibitors in a real-life clinical setting in Italy before and after the recent enlargement of reimbursement criteria. For this study, we consecutively considered the clinical record forms of 6231 outpatients consecutively admitted at the Lipid Clinic of the University Hospital of Bologna (Italy). Patients were stratified according to whether they were allowed or not allowed to access to treatment with PCSK9 inhibitors based on national prescription criteria and reimbursement rules issued by the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA). According to the indications of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), 986 patients were candidates to treatment with PCSK9 inhibitors. However, following the prescription criteria issued by AIFA, only 180 patients were allowed to access to PCSK9 inhibitors before reimbursement criteria enlargement while 322 (+14.4%) with the current ones. Based on our observations, low-cost tailored therapeutic interventions for individual patients can significantly reduce the number of patients potentially needing treatment with PCSK9 inhibitors among those who are not allowed to access to the treatment. The application of enlarged reimbursement criteria for PCSK9 inhibitors could mildly improve possibility to adequately manage high-risk hypercholesterolemic subjects in the setting of an outpatient lipid clinic.

An evaluation of the pharmacokinetics of inclisiran in the treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

INTRODUCTION

Inclisiran is a small interfering RNA that inhibits hepatic production of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) which results in reduction of circulating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). It can be used alone or in combination with statins or other lipid-lowering therapy.

AREAS COVERED

In this article we review the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and clinical efficacy of inclisiran based on the published literature.

EXPERT OPINION

Inclisiran is a chemically stabilized duplex RNA conjugated with triantennary N-acetylgalactosamine which facilitates rapid and selective liver uptake and the drug is almost entirely removed from the circulation within 24 hours after subcutaneous injection. The duration of action is impressively prolonged and after doses of 300 mg on days one and 90, the dose can be repeated every six months to maintain a durable reduction of LDL-C by about 50%. The efficacy and safety are similar to the monoclonal antibodies targeting PCSK9, evolocumab and alirocumab, and injection site reactions are infrequent and generally mild. The cardiovascular outcome study with inclisiran is ongoing and other long term safety data are keenly awaited. The infrequent dosing regimen offers a major advantage to improve long term compliance and inclisiran may be extensively adopted depending on the cost.