A phase I study assessing the safety, tolerability, immunogenicity, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-lowering activity of immunotherapeutics targeting PCSK9

Abstract Purpose AT04A and AT06A are two AFFITOPE® peptide vaccine candidates being developed for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia by inducing proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9)-specific antibodies. This study aimed to investigate safety, tolerability, antibody development, and reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) following four subcutaneous immunizations. Methods This phase I, single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted in a total of 72 healthy subjects with a mean fasting LDLc level at baseline of 117.1 mg/dL (range 77–196 mg/dL). Each cohort enrolled 24 subjects to receive three priming immunizations at weeks 0, 4, and 8 and to receive a single booster immunization at week 60 of either AT04A, AT06A, or placebo. In addition to safety (primary objective), the antigenic peptide- and PCSK9-specific antibody response and the impact on LDLc were evaluated over a period of 90 weeks. Results The most common systemic treatment-related adverse events (AEs) reported were fatigue, headache, and myalgia in 75% of subjects in the AT06A group and 58% and 46% of subjects in the placebo and AT04A groups, respectively. Injection site reactions (ISR) representing 63% of all treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), were transient and mostly of mild or moderate intensity and rarely severe (3%). Both active treatments triggered a robust, long-lasting antibody response towards the antigenic peptides used for immunization that optimally cross-reacted with the target epitope on PCSK9. In the AT04A group, a reduction in serum LDLc was observed with a mean peak reduction of 11.2% and 13.3% from baseline compared to placebo at week 20 and 70 respectively, and over the whole study period, the mean LDLc reduction for the AT04A group vs. placebo was −7.2% (95% CI [−10.4 to −3.9], P < 0.0001). In this group, PCSK9 target epitope titers above 50 were associated with clinically relevant LDLc reductions with an individual maximal decrease of 39%. Conclusions Although both AT04A and AT06 were safe and immunogenic, only AT04A demonstrated significant LDLc-lowering activity, justifying further development. Trial registration EudraCT: 2015-001719-11. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02508896.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Cardiovascular event reduction and adverse events among subjects attaining low-density lipoprotein cholesterol <50 mg/dl with rosuvastatin. The JUPITER trial (Justification for the Use of Statins in Prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin).

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.10173956.10958055 ◽

2011 ◽

Author(s):

Wilbert Aronow

Keyword(s):

Adverse Events ◽

Cardiovascular Event ◽

Low Density Lipoprotein ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽

Low Density ◽

Intervention Trial ◽

Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol

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Abstract P43: Frequency and Predictors of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Control and Appropriate Response to Elevated LDL-C Levels in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease

Circulation Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes ◽

10.1161/circoutcomes.4.suppl_2.ap43 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 4 (suppl_2) ◽

Author(s):

Salim S Virani ◽

Lechauncy D Woodard ◽

Supicha Sookanan ◽

Cassie R Landrum ◽

Tracy H Urech ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Low Density Lipoprotein ◽

Medication Possession Ratio ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽

Lipid Lowering ◽

Low Density ◽

Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽

To Receive

Background: Although current cholesterol performance measures define good quality as low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels < 100mg/dl in cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients, they provide a snap shot at one time point and do not inform whether an appropriate action was taken to manage elevated LDL-C levels. We assessed frequency and predictors of this appropriate response (AR). Methods: We used administrative data to assess 22,902 CVD patients receiving care in a Veterans Affairs network of 7 hospitals and affiliated clinics. We determined the proportion of CVD patients at LDL-C goal <100 mg/dl, and the proportion of patients with uncontrolled LDL-C levels (>100 mg/dl) who had an AR [defined as the initiation or dosage increase of a lipid lowering medication (LLM), addition of a new LLM, receipt of maximum dosage or >1 LLM, or LDL-C reading <100 mg/dl] at 45 days follow-up. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate facility, provider and patient characteristics associated with AR. Results: LDL-C levels were at goal in 16,350 (71.4%) patients. An additional 2,110 (9.2%) had an AR at 45 days of follow-up. Controlling for clustering between facilities and patient's illness severity, history of diabetes (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.03-1.35), hypertension (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.02-1.44), patients showing good medication adherence (medication possession ratio > 0.8) [OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.99-2.64] were associated with AR. Older CVD patients (age >75 years) were less likely to receive AR (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.52-0.70). Teaching vs. non-teaching facility (p=0.40), physician vs. non-physician provider (p=0.14), specialist vs. non-specialist primary care provider (p=0.12), and patient's race (p=0.12) were not predictors of AR. Conclusion: Among patients with CVD and LDL-C above guideline recommended levels, only one-third receive AR. Diabetic and hypertensive CVD patients are more likely to receive AR, whereas older Veterans with CVD receive AR less often likely reflecting providers' belief of lack of efficacy from treatment intensification in older CVD patients. Our findings are important for quality improvement and policy making initiatives as they provide more actionable information compared with isolated LDL-C goal attainment as a quality indicator.

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