Promising new clinical data about novel Lp(a) lowering agents were presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2024 (November 16-18, Chicago, USA). Further presentations included studies on the impact of Lp(a) testing in clinical practice and its potential for identifying vulnerable individuals with coronary artery disease, and research into a possible role for lipid […]
The oral inhibitor of Lp(a) particle assembly, muvalaplin, significantly reduced elevated Lp(a) levels in adults at high risk of cardiovascular events in the Phase 2 KRAKEN trial presented at AHA 20241 and published simultaneously in JAMA.2
The siRNA targeting Lp(a), zerlasiran, reduced time-averaged Lp(a) concentration by more than 80% during 26 weeks of treatment in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), with reductions persisting for 60 weeks after the first dose. These were the key findings presented from the ALPACAR-360 trial, and published simultaneously in JAMA.
Elevated Lp(a) levels are not yet driving more aggressive lipid lowering therapy, according to an analysis of Lp(a) testing in patients in a university-based health system since 2013.
Lp(a) could be a useful screening biomarker to identify vulnerable patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) who are currently underdiagnosed, such as those without modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, suggest cardiology researchers.
Individuals with both elevated Lp(a) and LDL-C have a higher risk of aortic valve calcification (AVC) and aortic stenosis (AS) than those with raised levels of either lipoprotein alone and may, therefore, be most likely to benefit from novel Lp(a)-lowering agents and/or combined LDL-C and Lp(a) lowering.
