Lipoprotein (a) is an independent risk factor for poor cardiovascular outcomes. Authors find that PCSK9-i lowers Lp(a) and LDLc by 20% and 50% respectively. Lp(a) and LDL reduction are 60% concordant, suggesting that some Lipoprotein (a) improvement could be via non-LDL-receptor pathway. More research is needed as pharmacological options targeting Lp (a) are limited.

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J. Clinical Lipidology

Observational

June 2017

Background

Clinical trials testing proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) have demonstrated an unanticipated but significant lipoprotein (a)/Lp(a)-lowering effect, on the order of 25-30%. Although the 50-60% reduction in LDL-C achieved by PCSK9i is mediated through its effect on LDL receptor (LDLR) preservation, the mechanism for Lp(a) lowering is unknown.

Objective

We sought to characterize the degree of concordance between LDL-C and Lp(a) lowering because of PCSK9i in a standard of care patient cohort.

Methods

Participants were selected from our Center for Preventive Cardiology, an outpatient referral center in a tertiary academic medical center. Subjects were included in this study if they had (1) at least 1 measurement of LDL-C and Lp(a) before and after initiation of the PCSK9i; (2) baseline Lp(a) > 10 mg/dL; and (3) continued adherence to PCSK9i therapy. They were excluded if (1) they were undergoing LDL apheresis; (2) pre- or post-PCSK9i LDL-C or Lp(a) laboratory values were censored; or (3) subjects discontinued other lipid-modifying therapies. In total, 103 subjects were identified as taking a PCSK9i and 26 met all criteria (inclusion and exclusion).

The average percent reductions in LDL-C and Lp(a) were 52.8% and 20.2%. The correlation between %LDL and %Lp(a) reduction was moderate, with a Spearman’s correlation of 0.56 (P < .01). All subjects except for 1 had a protocol-appropriate LDL-C response to therapy.
However, only 16 of the 26 (62%) subjects had a protocol-concordant Lp(a) response. Although some subjects demonstrated negligible Lp(a) reduction associated with PCSK9i, there were some whose Lp(a) decreased as much as 60%.

Conclusions

In this standard-of-care setting, we demonstrate moderate correlation but large discordance (∼40%) in these 2 lipid fractions in response to PCSK9i.

The results suggest that pathways beyond the LDLR are responsible for Lp(a) lowering and indicate that PCSK9i have the potential to significantly lower Lp(a) in select patients, although confirmation in larger multicenter studies is required.

Highlights

Clinical trials of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors have demonstrated significant lipoprotein (Lp(a)) lowering of ∼25%.
The mechanism for Lp(a) lowering is unknown.
Moderate correlation but large discordance in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and Lp(a) with PCSK9 inhibitors.
Our results suggest that pathways beyond the LDL-receptor are responsible for Lp(a) lowering.
PCSK9 inhibitors have the potential to significantly lower Lp(a) in select patients.

Concordant response to therapy was defined as an LDL-C reduction >35% and an Lp(a) reduction >10%.

Results

The cohort consisted of 26 subjects (15 females, 11 males, mean age 63 ± 12 years). Baseline mean LDL-C and median Lp(a) levels were 167.4 ± 72 mg/dL and 81 mg/dL (interquartile range 38–136 mg/dL), respectively.

The average percent reductions in LDL-C and Lp(a) were 52.8% and 20.2%. The correlation between %LDL and %Lp(a) reduction was moderate, with a Spearman’s correlation of 0.56 (P < .01). All subjects except for 1 had a protocol-appropriate LDL-C response to therapy.
However, only 16 of the 26 (62%) subjects had a protocol-concordant Lp(a) response. Although some subjects demonstrated negligible Lp(a) reduction associated with PCSK9i, there were some whose Lp(a) decreased as much as 60%.

Conclusions

In this standard-of-care setting, we demonstrate moderate correlation but large discordance (∼40%) in these 2 lipid fractions in response to PCSK9i.

Highlights

Clinical trials of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors have demonstrated significant lipoprotein (Lp(a)) lowering of ∼25%.
The mechanism for Lp(a) lowering is unknown.
Moderate correlation but large discordance in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and Lp(a) with PCSK9 inhibitors.
Our results suggest that pathways beyond the LDL-receptor are responsible for Lp(a) lowering.
PCSK9 inhibitors have the potential to significantly lower Lp(a) in select patients.