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Latest Congress Highlights
Among the Lp(a) research highlights, presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2025 (7-10 November, New Orleans), were a further analysis of data from the Phase 2 OCEAN(a)-DOSE study and new insights into the role of Lp(a) in myocardial inflammation, opportunities to address barriers to Lp(a) clinical trial recruitment, projections on the impact of Lp(a) lowering on coronary heart disease risk, and the potential effects of social deprivation on epigenetic modification of the LPA gene and changes in plasma Lp(a) levels.
Clinical trials targeting Lp(a) – What’s new?
Since Professor Ioanna Gouni-Berthold, University of Cologne, Germany, reviewed clinical trials of antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNAs and small molecules targeting Lp(a) in April 2024, exciting new data have been reported and important new studies are underway. Now, she presents her highlights and looks to the future.
First Closed Scientific Expert Meeting of the Editorial Board
About Lp(a) Forum
The Lp(a) Forum is a new, independent, non-profit, expert-led, global initiative providing clinicians and researchers worldwide with open access, peer-reviewed resources devoted to the exciting and rapidly developing area of Lp(a) science and therapeutics.
The Forum brings together internationally-recognised experts from the scientific and clinical communities who are committed to developing awareness, knowledge and understanding of the importance of Lp(a) as an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and aortic valve stenosis, even when LDL-cholesterol levels are low… Read more
Free Membership
Lp(a) Forum Co-Chair, Professor John Chapman, invites you to join Lp(a) Forum for open access to multimedia educational resources about Lp(a) science, management and research.
Why do we need this Forum?
In recent years, unequivocal evidence has been published supporting Lp(a) as a target for lipid lowering therapies to reduce cardiovascular risk in individuals with significantly elevated Lp(a) levels. Innovative Lp(a) targeted therapies are in development and there is now an urgent need for reliable, accessible scientific and clinical information about Lp(a) for the clinical and scientific community that is appropriate for all levels of expertise and interest.
Lp(a) Forum Co-Chair, Professor John Chapman, turns the spotlight on the accumulating observational, genetic and mechanistic evidence supporting Lp(a) as an independent, causal risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and discusses the promise of novel Lp(a)-lowering agents in development.
Lp(a) Forum Co-Chair, Professor Henry Ginsberg, explains why the time is right to focus on Lp(a) as an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and to ensure that current knowledge and news of future advances are accessible to clinicians and researchers worldwide.
Expert Views
Research highlights since Lp(a) Forum launch
Dr Elias Björnson, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, discusses some memorable scientific advances and clinical developments in the field of Lp(a) research and looks forward to further investigations.
The importance of Lp(a) testing
Professor Keith Ferdinand, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, USA, highlights the importance of testing Lp(a) levels.
Lp(a) and coronary plaque progression
Professor Marc Dweck, University of Edinburgh, UK, reports recent imaging research that links Lp(a) to progression of the most unstable coronary plaques.
The genetics of Lp(a)
Professor Florian Kronenberg, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria, shows how the genetics of Lp(a) is informing links with cardiovascular outcomes.
Diversity in Lp(a) across ancestry and gender
Professor Pia Kamstrup, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark, discusses the evidence and its implications for cardiovascular risk in different populations.
Slides
Lp(a): A new causal risk factor for ASCVD and aortic valve stenosis
Download this topical introductory slide deck to Lp(a), developed by Lp(a) Forum Co-Chair, Professor John Chapman, which summarises key evidence supporting the role of Lp(a) as a causal risk factor in cardiovascular disease
Trials
Multiple Lp(a) targeted therapeutics are undergoing extensive clinical trials to investigate their safety, efficacy and tolerability, and potential benefits for cardiovascular outcomes.
Video Library
International experts discuss hot topics on all aspects of the epidemiology, genetics and pathophysiology of Lp(a).
Lp(a): What do the guidelines say?
Multiple expert guidelines recognise Lp(a) as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and advise on Lp(a) measurement and treatment as part of broader risk management…
Back to Basics
Back to Basics summarises current thinking on key aspects of Lp(a) science and management
What is Lp(a)
Lp(a) is a plasma lipoprotein that consists of an LDL-like particle in which apolipoprotein B100 is covalently linked to the plasminogen-like protein…
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Lp(a) measurement
Lp(a) level is measured as Lp(a) particle number (nmol/L) or Lp(a) mass concentration (mg/dL), and levels ≥100/125 nmol/L (≥50 mg/dL) are …
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Why test Lp(a)?
Professor Keith Ferdinand, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, USA, discusses the advantages of Lp(a) testing for patients and their families…
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Lp(a) and CVD
Elevated Lp(a) is associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease, ischaemic stroke, peripheral artery disease, heart failure, aortic stenosis and mortality …
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Lp(a) therapies
No Lp(a) targeted therapies have been approved, but experts agree that intensive management of other risk factors is important in individuals with elevated …
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Journal Updates
Major Lp(a) changes mainly due to technical issues
Major Lp(a) changes are due mainly to technical issues rather than biological fluctuations, according to results of a study, …
Regular lipoprotein apheresis reduces cardiovascular events
Regular lipoprotein apheresis (LA) is associated with a decrease in cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with Lp(a) >60 mg/dL …
Raised Lp(a) linked to carotid artery ulceration
Elevated Lp(a) levels are associated with carotid artery ulceration in patients …
Elevated Lp(a) adds to healthcare burden in patients with ASCVD
People with elevated Lp(a) levels and previous atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease use more healthcare resources …
First trimester Lp(a) and poor pregnancy outcomes
Pre-eclampsia, foetal growth restriction, gestational hypertension and premature …
Other Congress News
ESC Congress 2025
29 August – 1 September, Madrid, Spain
At a record breaking ESC 2025, with over 1,100 sessions showcasing practice-changing research, Lp(a) focused advances included new ESC/EAS guidance on Lp(a) as a cardiovascular risk-enhancing factor, together with new research on reduced need for lipoprotein apheresis with Lp(a) lowering therapy, latest trends in Lp(a) testing, patient advice about Lp(a), and further evidence linking elevated Lp(a) with poor cardiovascular outcomes.
Upcoming Congress
ACC.26
28 – 30 March, New Orleans, USA
