PCSK9 inhibition in the management of hyperlipidemia: focus on evolocumab.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) increases low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations through interference with normal physiologic hepatic LDL receptor (LDLR) recycling. Inhibiting PCSK9 results in improved LDLR recycling, increased LDLR availability on hepatocyte cell surfaces, and reduced blood LDL-C levels, making PCSK9 inhibition a novel therapeutic strategy for managing hypercholesterolemia. Monoclonal antibodies directed against PCSK9 have been developed for this purpose. A large number of clinical trials have demonstrated that monoclonal antibodies against PCSK9 yield substantial reductions in LDL-C when administered as monotherapy or in combination with statins to patients with nonfamilial and familial forms of hypercholesterolemia. Data from long-term trials demonstrate that the LDL-C-lowering effect of PCSK9 inhibitors is durable. These agents are generally well tolerated, and few patients discontinue treatment due to adverse events. Moreover, PCSK9 inhibitors do not appear to elicit the hepatic and muscle-related side effects associated with statin use. The ultimate value of PCSK9 inhibitors will be measured by their effect on clinical outcomes. Early evidence of a reduction in cardiovascular events after 1 year of treatment was shown in a prospective exploratory analysis of two ongoing long-term open-label extension evolocumab trials. Similarly, cardiovascular events were reduced in another exploratory analysis after >1 year of therapy with alirocumab. For the primary care physician, PCSK9 inhibitors represent a welcome additional option for lowering LDL-C in patients with familial forms of hypercholesterolemia and those with clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease who are on maximally tolerated statin therapy.

Introduction

Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a well-established causal risk factor for atherosclerosis.1–4 Currently, statins are the mainstay therapy for lowering LDL-C. Statins reduce both cardiovascular events and mortality in patients with elevated risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.5–8 Although statins are the most important LDL-C-lowering drugs, LDL-C lowering beyond that achieved with these agents is desirable and beneficial. The Improved Reduction of Outcomes: Vytorin Efficacy International Trial (IMPROVE-IT) showed that the addition of ezetimibe to simvastatin 40 mg/d in patients with a recent acute coronary syndrome who had LDL-C levels of 1.3–2.6 mmol/L (50–100 mg/dL) if they were receiving lipid-lowering therapy or 1.3–3.2 mmol/L (50–125 mg/dL) if they were not receiving lipid-lowering therapy resulted in additional lowering of LDL-C by an average of 24%.9 This further reduction in LDL-C led to a 13% relative reduction (absolute: 1.7% reduction) in myocardial infarction (P=0.002) and a 21% relative reduction (absolute: 0.7% reduction) in ischemic stroke (P=0.008). These data support evidence from meta-analyses demonstrating merit in attaining very low levels of LDL-C; these meta-analyses demonstrate additional reductions in cardiovascular events in patients achieving LDL-C levels of <1.8 mmol/L (70 mg/dL) or 1.3 mmol/L (50 mg/dL).10,11 A Cholesterol Treatment Trialists (CTT) meta-analysis demonstrated a 37% relative risk reduction in major vascular events with LDL-C reductions of <1.8 mmol/L (70 mg/dL) in statin-treated patients.11 Post hoc analysis of the Justification for the Use of Statins in Prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin (JUPITER) trial, which evaluated the efficacy of rosuvastatin as primary prevention in patients with an LDL-C of <3.4 mmol/L (<130 mg/dL) but high-sensitivity C-reactive protein ≥2.0 mg/L, found that patients who attained an LDL-C of <1.3 mmol/L (<50 mg/dL) had a 65% reduction in the occurrence of a cardiovascular event or death from cardiovascular causes (P<0.0001) compared with placebo. By comparison, patients who did not attain an LDL-C of <1.3 mmol/L (<50 mg/dL) achieved only a 24% reduction.12 Likewise, post hoc analysis of the Pravastatin or Atorvastatin Evaluation and Infection Therapy – Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 22 (PROVE IT-TIMI 22) trial, which evaluated the efficacy of moderate (pravastatin, 40 mg/d) or intensive (atorvastatin, 80 mg/d) statin therapy plus gatifloxacin antibiotic therapy in patients with a recent acute coronary syndrome, found that patients who achieved an LDL-C of 1.0–1.5 mmol/L (40–60 mg/dL) or <1.0 mmol/L (<40 mg/dL) had further reductions in cardiovascular events compared with patients who achieved an LDL-C of >2.0–2.6 mmol/L (>80–100 mg/dL).13 Post hoc analysis of the Treating to New Targets study showed a significant reduction in the rate of major cardiovascular events across five quintiles of on-treatment-achieved LDL-C concentrations ranging from ≥2.7 mmol/L (≥106 mg/dL) to <1.6 mmol/L (<64 mg/dL; P<0.0001).14

Although substantial evidence supports reaching lower LDL-C levels, many statin-treated patients fail to reach the desired LDL-C levels. A meta-analysis of eight statin trials found that out of patients receiving high-dose statin therapy, 13% failed to reach the LDL-C level of <2.6 mmol/L (<100 mg/dL) and 40% failed to reach <1.8 mmol/L (<70 mg/dL).10 Results are more worrisome in community practice with an international survey finding that 70% of very-high-risk patients (of whom 80% were receiving a statin) failed to reach the LDL-C level of <1.8 mmol/L (<70 mg/dL).15 Reasons for lack of achieving the desired LDL-C levels are variable and likely include high baseline levels, prescription of inadequate statin doses, poor adherence, and the inability to tolerate an adequate statin dose. Statin-associated muscle symptoms are a frequent cause for patients to not take statins or to only take a low dose. The Prediction of Muscular Risk in Observational conditions (PRIMO) study found that 10% of patients in community practice who were taking high-dose statins reported muscle symptoms, a rate significantly higher than suggested by placebo-controlled clinical trials.16 On average, patients fail to take prescribed statins ~20% of the time17,18 and approximately half of patients discontinue statin therapy by 5 years.17,19 Poor adherence with resulting elevated LDL-C levels place patients at risk for hypercholesterolemia-associated morbidity and mortality. Overall, these data demonstrate that additional options are needed to assist patients toward achieving the required LDL-C levels. The recent approval of monoclonal antibodies against proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) by the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency, among other regulatory agencies, provides physicians with another LDL-C-lowering option.

PCSK9

PCSK9 is a serine protease involved in cholesterol metabolism that is enzymatically inactive following secretion. PCSK9 is a proprotein convertase belonging to the subtilase subfamily.20 In healthy humans, plasma PCSK9 levels decrease with fasting and increase following meals.21,22 Shortly after the discovery of PCSK9,23 it was shown that a gain-of-function mutation in PCSK9 is associated with familial hypercholesterolemia.20,24 Further research demonstrated that loss-of-function mutations in PCSK9 are associated with reduced LDL-C concentrations and that these lifetime reductions confer substantial protection against coronary artery disease.25–27 PCSK9 gene expression is regulated by the nuclear transcription factor sterol regulatory element-binding protein-2.28 Levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-2 are increased by statin therapy, which thus also increases PCSK9 levels. PCSK9 inhibition may thus be an especially useful therapeutic strategy in statin-treated patients.

In adults, PCSK9 is expressed predominantly in the liver, and to a lesser extent in the intestine and kidney.23 Currently, the only known physiologically relevant function of circulating PCSK9 is to regulate LDL receptor (LDLR) in the liver. PCSK9 increases LDL-C concentrations through interference with normal physiologic hepatic LDLR recycling. LDL particles are largely removed from the circulation via the LDLR, which are located on the surface of hepatocytes. The LDLR binds LDL and the complex enters the cell through a clathrin-coated vesicle. Intracellularly, the LDL and LDLR dissociate. LDL is delivered to a lysosome and degraded, while the LDLR is recycled back to the hepatocyte cell surface (Figure 1A).29 PCSK9 interferes with this process by preventing the separation of the LDLR from LDL. PCSK9 binds to the cell-surface LDLR; upon LDL binding and internalization, the PCSK9-bound LDLR fails to separate from the LDL particle. As a result, the LDLR is delivered to the lysosome and degraded along with the LDL, thus bypassing the process of recycling to the hepatocyte cell surface (Figure 1B).30 The diminished LDLR concentration on hepatocyte cell surfaces results in elevated plasma LDL-C due to reduced clearance of LDL. Inhibiting PCSK9 therefore results in improved LDLR recycling, increased availability of LDLR on hepatocyte cell surfaces, increased LDL plasma clearance, and reduced blood LDL-C levels, making PCSK9 inhibition an effective therapeutic strategy for LDL hypercholesterolemia.

Figure 1

LDL Recycling, PCSK9 Function, and Effect of PCSK9 Inhibition

Notes: (A) LDLRs are found on the hepatocyte cell surface. Upon binding an LDL particle, the LDLR–LDL particle complex enters the hepatocyte in a clathrin-coated vesicle. Intracellularly, the LDL and LDLR dissociate. LDL is delivered to a lysosome and degraded, while the LDLR is recycled back to the hepatocyte cell surface. (B): PCSK9 interferes with the LDLR recycling by preventing the separation of the LDLR from LDL. PCSK9 binds to the cell-surface LDLR; upon LDL binding and internalization, the PCSK9-bound LDLR fails to separate from the LDL particle. As a result, the LDLR is delivered to the lysosome and degraded along with the LDL, thus bypassing the process of recycling to the hepatocyte cell surface. (C): Monoclonal antibodies directed against PCSK9 prevent its interaction with the LDLR.

Abbreviations: LDL, low-density lipoprotein; LDLRs, LDL receptors; PCSK9, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9.

PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies

Currently, most of the data for PCSK9 inhibition come from studies with monoclonal antibodies that are directed against PCSK9 and prevent its interaction with the LDLR (Table 1 and Figure 1C).31,32 Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies play important roles in the management of many inflammatory disorders and cancers because of their ability to bind to a selected target highly specifically, but they have not been widely used in the management of cardiovascular disease as yet. Monoclonal antibodies are target-specific antibodies created through recombinant DNA technology. These proteins have the characteristic Y-shaped protein structure of B-cell-derived antibodies and are designed to bind to a single therapeutic target with high specificity.33 Monoclonal antibodies exert their therapeutic action through a variety of mechanisms, including direct effects associated with the binding of the antibody to the target (target blockade, the mechanism by which current anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies exert their effects)31,32 and indirect effects involving depletion of cells targeted by the monoclonal antibody.33 Monoclonal antibodies are administered parenterally (intravenously, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously).34 Elimination occurs not through the liver or kidneys, but primarily through antigen-specific target-mediated disposition and nonspecific pathways of the reticuloendothelial system.35

Table 1

Anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies marketed or in Phase III development

Generic name	Brand name	Manufacturer	Marketing status	Approved dosing regimens
Evolocumab	Repatha	Amgen, Inc. (Thousand Oaks, CA, USA)	Marketed	140 mg SC Q2Wa420 mg SC QMa,b
Alirocumab	Praluent	Sanofi-Aventis and Regeneron (Tarrytown, NY, USA)	Marketed	75 mg SC Q2Wa150 mg SC Q2Wa,c
Bococizumab	–	Pfizer, Inc. (New York, NY, USA)	Investigational (Phase III)	–

Notes:

Primary hyperlipidemia with established clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia;

homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia;

if LDL-C response is inadequate with 75 mg SC Q2W.

Abbreviations: LDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; PCSK9, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9; Q2W, every 2 weeks; QM, monthly; SC, subcutaneously.

Monoclonal antibody structures vary according to the proportion of murine components and production methods. After the development of early murine antibodies, investigators sought to replace murine components with human components to reduce the immunogenicity of the antibodies.36,37 Of particular concern is the potential for the development of neutralizing antibodies that can reduce the therapeutic efficacy of monoclonal antibodies.38 Further development initially resulted in chimeric antibodies, which consisted of a human antibody with murine variable regions. Next, humanized antibodies were generated, which contained all human components except for the antigen-binding complementarity-determining regions.36 Finally, fully human monoclonal antibodies were developed using novel platforms.39,40 Evolocumab and alirocumab are fully human anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies,31,41–43 while bococizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody.32

Clinical trials

A large number of clinical trials have now been conducted with anti-PCSK9 antibodies, demonstrating that these agents lead to substantial reductions in LDL-C when administered as monotherapy or in combination with statins and/or ezetimibe to patients with nonfamilial and familial forms of hypercholesterolemia. Published randomized controlled Phase III trials evaluating evolocumab and alirocumab are summarized in Table 2. In patients without homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), evolocumab led to mean reductions in LDL-C of 48%–76% compared with placebo and of 38%–47% compared with ezetimibe after 12 or 52 weeks of treatment.44–48 Alirocumab led to mean reductions of 46%–62% compared with placebo and 24%–32% compared with ezetimibe after 24 weeks of treatment.49–55 Note that reductions are consistently reported within this review as placebo/control corrected rather than as change from baseline.

Table 2

Published PCSK9 monoclonal antibody Phase III trials

Antibody	Study name	N	Trial population and baseline fasting LDL-C	Background lipid therapy in all arms	Endpoint (weeks)	Antibody dosing regimen	LDL−C reduction vs controla	References
Evolocumab	LAPLACE-2	1,896	FH and NFH≥3.9 mmol/L (≥150 mg/dL) – no statin≥ 2.6 mmol/L (≥100 mg/dL) – nonintensive statin≥2.1 mmol/L (≥80 mg/dL) – intensive statin	Statinsb	12	140 mg Q2W420 mg QM	−68% to −76% vs PLA−40% to −47% vs EZE−55% to −70% vs PLA−39% to −41% vs EZE	Robinson et al47
	RUTHERFORD-2	329	HeFH≥2.6 mmol/L (≥100 mg/dL)	Statin (±EZE)	12	140 mg Q2W420 mg QM	−59% vs PLA−61% vs PLA	Raal et al46
	GAUSS-2	307	Intolerant to ≥2 statinsFH and NFH≥ NCEP ATP III LDL-C goal	Non-EZE LLTc	12	140 mg Q2W420 mg QM	−38% vs EZE−38% vs EZE	Stroes et al48
	MENDEL-2	614	FH and NFH≥2.6 mmol/L (≥100 mg/dL)	None	12	140 mg Q2W420 mg QM	−57% vs PLA−39% vs EZE−55% vs PLA−38% vs EZE	Koren et al45
	DESCARTES	901	Various levels of CV riskFH and NFH≥1.9 mmol/L (≥75 mg/dL)	Diet ± atorvastatin ± ezetimibed	52	420 mg QM	−48% to −62% vs PLA	Blom et al44
	TESLA Part B	49	HoFHe≥3.4 mmol/L (≥130 mg/dL)	LLT, no apheresis	12	420 mg QM	−31% vs PLA	Raal et al64
Alirocumab	ODYSSEYCOMBO I	316	High CV risk≥1.8 mmol/L (≥70 mg/dL) – CVD≥2.6 mmol/L (≥100 mg/dL) – CV risk factors	Statin ± otherLLT	24	75–150 mg Q2Wf	−46% vs PLA	Kereiake et al52
	ODYSSEYCOMBO II	720	High CV risk≥1.8 mmol/L (≥70 mg/dL) – CVD≥2.6 mmol/L (≥100 mg/dL) – no CVD	Statin	24	75–150 mg Q2Wf	−30% vs EZE	Cannon et al50
	ODYSSEYLONG TERM	2,341	HeFH, CVD, or high CV risk≥1.8 mmol/L (≥70 mg/dL)	Statin ± other LLT	24	150 mg Q2W	−62% vs PLA	Robinson et al53
	ODYSSEYMONO	103	10-year risk of fatal CV events ≥1% and <5%≥2.6 mmol/L (≥100 mg/dL) and <4.9 mmol/L (<190 mg/dL)	None	24	75–150 mg Q2Wf	−32% vs EZE	Roth et al54
	ODYSSEYALTERNATIVE	314	Intolerant to ≥2 statinsNo muscle symptoms on single-blind placebo run-in FH and NFH ≥2.6 mmol/L (≥100 mg/dL) – moderate/high CV risk≥1.8 mmol/L (≥70 mg/dL) – very high CV risk	No statins, EZE, red yeast rice, fibrates other than fenofibrate	24	75–150 mg Q2Wf	−30% vs EZE	Moriarty et al55
	ODYSSEY FH I	486	HeFH≥1.8 mmol/L (≥70 mg/dL) – CVD≥2.6 mmol/L (≥100 mg/dL) – no CVD	Statin ± other LLT	24	75–150 mg Q2Wf	−58% vs PLA	Kastelein et al51
	ODYSSEY FH II	249	HeFH≥1.8 mmol/L (≥70 mg/dL) – CVD≥2.6 mmol/L (≥100 mg/dL) – no CVD	Statin ± other LLT	24	75–150 mg Q2Wf	−51% vs PLA	Kastelein et al51
	ODYSSEYOPTION I	205	High CV risk≥1.8 mmol/L (≥70 mg/dL) – CVD≥2.6 mmol/L (≥100 mg/dL) – CV risk factors	Statin ± other non-EZE LLT	24	75–150 mg Q2Wf,g	−24% to −31% vs EZE−33% to −49% vs statin	Bays et al49

Notes:

Least squares mean percent change from baseline vs control; control may include background statin or other lipid-lowering therapy as indicated in the “background lipid therapy in all arms” column.

Patients randomized to one of five background statin doses: moderate intensity (atorvastatin 10 mg, simvastatin 40 mg, or rosuvastatin 5 mg daily) or high intensity (atorvastatin 80 mg or rosuvastatin 40 mg daily).

Low-dose statin permitted: ≤70 mg atorvastatin; ≤140 mg simvastatin, pravastatin, lovastatin; ≤35 mg rosuvastatin; ≤280 mg fluvastatin.

Patients assigned background LLT according to screening LDL-C and NCEP ATP III risk category: diet alone, diet plus atorvastatin 10 mg PO daily, diet plus atorvastatin 80 mg PO daily, or diet plus atorvastatin 80 mg PO daily and ezetimibe 10 mg PO daily.

HoFH is a rare severe genetic disorder that most commonly results from mutations in both LDLR alleles. HoFH responds poorly to conventional cholesterol-lowering medications because of severe impairment in LDLR function.

Starting dose of 75 mg Q2W with uptitration to 150 mg Q2W at week 12 if LDL ≥1.8 mmol/L (≥70 mg/dL).

Randomization: alirocumab, ezetimibe 10 mg daily, or doubling of baseline atorvastatin dose (from 20 to 40 mg or from 40 to 80 mg or switch to rosuvastatin 40 mg daily).

Abbreviations: CV, cardiovascular; CVD, CV disease; DESCARTES, Durable Effect of PCSK9 Antibody Compared with Placebo Study; EZE, ezetimibe; FH, familial hypercholesterolemia; GAUSS-2, Goal Achievement after Utilizing an anti-PCSK9 antibody in Statin Intolerant Subjects Study 2; HeFH, heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia; HoFH, homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia; LAPLACE-2, LDL-C Assessment with PCSK9 Monoclonal Antibody Inhibition Combined with Statin Therapy-2; LDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDLR, LDL receptor; LLT, lipid-lowering therapy; MENDEL-2, Monoclonal Antibody against PCSK9 to Reduce Elevated LDL-C in Subjects Currently Not Receiving Drug Therapy for Easing Lipid Levels-2; NCEP ATP III, National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III; NFH, nonfamilial hypercholesterolemia; PCSK9, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9; PLA, placebo; PO, orally; Q2W, every 2 weeks; QM, monthly; RUTHERFORD-2, Reduction of LDL-C with PCSK9 Inhibition in Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia Disorder; TESLA, Trial Evaluating PCSK9 Antibody in Subjects with LDL Receptor Abnormalities.

Combination with statins

Adding a PCSK9 inhibitor to background statin therapy offers a useful strategy to further lower LDL-C in patients unable to achieve optimal LDL-C levels with statin therapy. The majority of clinical trials conducted with PCSK9 inhibitors have evaluated this combination and have included a diverse patient population treated with widely varying statin dose intensities. In some trials, additional non-statin lipid-lowering therapy was also allowed with ezetimibe, the most commonly used second agent.44,46,48,49,51–53 Mean reductions in LDL-C compared with placebo plus background statin therapy among patients receiving PCSK9 inhibitors in addition to statins, with or without other lipid-lowering therapy, ranged from 48% to 76% at week 12 in trials of evolocumab and from 46% to 62% at week 24 in trials of alirocumab.44,46,47,51–53 Different intensities of baseline therapy do not appear to influence the magnitude of lipid lowering achieved with PCSK9 inhibition. In the Durable Effect of PCSK9 Antibody Compared with Placebo Study (DESCARTES), patients were assigned a statin dose based on their screening LDL-C and National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III risk level. Mean LDL-C reductions with monthly evolocumab compared with placebo at week 52 were 48% in those receiving atorvastatin 80 mg plus ezetimibe 10 mg, 57% in those receiving atorvastatin 80 mg alone, 62% in those receiving atorvastatin 10 mg, and 56% in those receiving diet alone as their baseline concomitant therapy with evolocumab.44 In the LDL-C Assessment with PCSK9 Monoclonal Antibody Inhibition Combined with Statin Therapy-2 (LAPLACE-2) trial, in which patients were randomized to a baseline statin dose, mean LDL-C reductions with every 2-week evolocumab compared with placebo at week 12 were 68%–76% in patients receiving high-intensity stains and 68%–71% in those receiving moderate-intensity statins.47

Whether PCSK9 inhibitors can provide additional LDL-C lowering in patients receiving combination therapy with statin and ezetimibe is an important and clinically relevant question in the face of the recently published IMPROVE-IT trial.9 In trials that enrolled patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH), more than half of the patients were receiving ezetimibe in addition to their statin.46,51 These trials demonstrated robust LDL-C lowering among all patients, and in subgroup analysis of the Reduction of LDL-C with PCSK9 Inhibition in Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia Disorder (RUTHERFORD-2) trial, evolocumab lowered LDL-C to a similar extent between patients receiving ezetimibe and those who were not.46 Additional data are available from the DECARTES trial. Among 189 patients receiving atorvastatin 80 mg plus ezetimibe 10 mg daily, the addition of monthly evolocumab resulted in an average LDL-C reduction of 48% when compared with placebo.44

Monotherapy

Because statin therapy upregulates PCSK9 expression, it is important to know whether PCSK9 inhibition is less effective in patients who are not receiving statins and thus do not have high PCSK9 levels. The Monoclonal Antibody against PCSK9 to Reduce Elevated LDL-C in Subjects Currently Not Receiving Drug Therapy for Easing Lipid Levels-2 (MENDEL-2) trial evaluated evolocumab monotherapy in patients with screening LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L (≥100 mg/dL).45 The LDL-C reduction achieved with evolocumab in this placebo-controlled trial (55%–57% vs placebo) was similar to that seen when evolocumab was added to statins. Further evidence comes from the diet-only arm of DESCARTES, which showed that evolocumab monotherapy led to a 56% LDL-C reduction compared with placebo.44 The MENDEL-2 trial also compared evolocumab monotherapy with ezetimibe, finding that evolocumab reduced LDL-C by 38%–39% compared with ezetimibe.45 Alirocumab was also evaluated as monotherapy in patients with screening LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L (≥100 mg/dL) in the Efficacy and Safety of Alirocumab SAR236553 (REGN727) vs Ezetimibe in Patients with Hypercholesterolemia (ODYSSEY MONO) trial. This study utilized ezetimibe as its only comparator and alirocumab reduced LDL-C by 32% vs ezetimibe.54 PCSK9 inhibition is thus an effective lipid-lowering strategy even if LDLRs are not upregulated by statins.

Long-term therapy

Data from long-term trials demonstrate that the LDL-C-lowering effect of PCSK9 inhibitors is durable. Patients who had enrolled in one out of 12 Phase II or III evolocumab trials were eligible to enroll in the Open-label Study of Long-Term Evaluation against LDL Cholesterol (OSLER)-1 and OSLER-2 studies.56 In these studies, 4,465 patients were randomized 2:1 to receive evolocumab plus standard therapy or standard therapy alone. At week 12, evolocumab therapy was associated with a 61% reduction in LDL-C compared with standard therapy alone, similar to the 58% reduction observed at 48 weeks. Further long-term data for evolocumab come from the DESCARTES trial, which found a 58% reduction in LDL-C with monthly evolocumab treatment compared with placebo at week 12 and a 57% reduction at week 52.44 Prolonged therapy with alirocumab was evaluated in the Long-term Safety and Tolerability of Alirocumab in High Cardiovascular Risk Patients with Hypercholesterolemia Not Adequately Controlled with Their Lipid Modifying Therapy (ODYSSEY LONG TERM) trial, which included 2,341 patients who received alirocumab for 78 weeks.53 The mean LDL-C reduction at weeks 24 and 78 were 61% and 52%, respectively, compared with placebo in intention-to-treat analysis. When patients who discontinued therapy early were excluded, the mean reduction at 78 weeks was 58%.

Effect on lipoprotein(a)

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease57,58 and is not lowered by statins or other currently available lipid-lowering therapy apart from nicotinic acid.59 PCSK9 inhibition results in statistically significant reductions in plasma Lp(a).45,54 When compared with baseline, evolocumab monotherapy reduced Lp(a) by 18%–20% after 12 weeks and alirocumab monotherapy reduced Lp(a) by 17% after 24 weeks.45,54 When added to moderate- or high-intensity dose statin therapy, reductions in Lp(a) with evolocumab ranged from 24% to 39% and the reduction with alirocumab was 28% in two representative trials.47,50 In an analysis of multiple evolocumab trials, reductions in Lp(a) were positively correlated with LDL-C reductions.60 Although the mean percentage reduction in Lp(a) was significantly greater in those patients with baseline Lp(a) of ≤125 nmol/L, the absolute reduction was substantially larger in those with levels of >125 nmol/L.

Effect on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides

Whether PCSK9 inhibitors affect high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) or triglyceride levels is of clinical interest. In the MENDEL-2 trial, evolocumab monotherapy increased HDL-C by 6%–9% compared with placebo (P<0.01).45 Reductions in triglyceride levels were 6% with evolocumab 140 mg every 2 weeks (Q2W; P=0.72) and 18% with evolocumab 420 mg every 4 weeks (P<0.001) compared with placebo. In the ODYESSY MONO trial, alirocumab monotherapy increased HDL-C by 6% compared with ezetimibe (P=0.02).54 The mean reduction in triglycerides was 2% (P=0.74) compared with ezetimibe.

Special populations

Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

Trials evaluating the addition of PCSK9 inhibitors to maximal therapy with statins plus ezetimibe and/or other lipid-lowering therapies have shown substantial mean LDL-C reductions of 51%–59% compared with placebo in patients with HeFH.46,51 Data from the RUTHERFORD-2 trial suggest that the nature of the LDLR mutation and its residual function, if a mutation had previously been functionally characterized, does not influence the magnitude of LDL-C lowering in response to PCSK9 inhibition.46 In a post hoc exploratory subgroup analysis of patients with a single LDLR causative mutation in this trial, mean reductions for evolocumab vs placebo were 55%–61% for patients with an LDLR-negative mutation, 49%–66% in patients with an LDLR-defective mutation, 62%–63% in patients with an unclassified LDLR mutation, and 43%–64% in patients with no mutation identified. Patients with HeFH have one nonmutated LDLR allele, and upregulation of this fully functional allele likely accounts for the majority of the response, making the contribution, if any, by the mutated allele less relevant.

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

HoFH is a rare severe genetic disorder that most commonly results from mutations in both LDLR alleles. LDL-C concentrations are extremely high (typically >12.9 mmol/L [500 mg/dL] in untreated patients) and premature cardiovascular disease is ubiquitous, often leading to early death.61 HoFH responds poorly to conventional cholesterol-lowering medications because of severe impairment in LDLR function, with LDL-C reductions of only ~25% with statins.62,63 Evidence supporting the efficacy of PCSK9 inhibition with evolocumab in patients with HoFH comes from the Trial Evaluating PCSK9 Antibody in Subjects with LDL Receptor Abnormalities (TESLA) Part B trial.64 In this study of 49 patients with HoFH and a baseline mean (standard deviation [SD]) LDL-C of 9.0 (3.5) mmol/L (348 [135] mg/dL) who were receiving statins and other lipid-lowering therapy other than apheresis, the addition of monthly evolocumab led to a mean 31% reduction in LDL-C compared with placebo. This percentage reduction, while smaller in magnitude than those observed in other populations, corresponded to a mean absolute LDL-C reduction of 2.4 mmol/L (94 mg/dL) and is considered clinically meaningful in this high-risk population. Prespecified subgroup analysis of this trial suggested that some residual LDLR functionality is required for LDL-C-lowering activity. Patients with defective LDLR mutation status in at least one allele showed statistically significant LDL-C reductions of 24%–47%, while the single patient with negative LDLR mutation status in both alleles experienced a 10% increase from baseline in LDL-C.

Statin intolerant

Patients who are unable to tolerate statins due to muscle-related or other side effects represent a population who may benefit from the alternative mechanism of action offered by PCSK9 inhibitors. Due to the subjective nature of muscle symptoms associated with statin therapy and the high prevalence of muscle symptoms in general, regardless of statin treatment, the true number of patients with statin intolerance is difficult to ascertain.65–68 The PRIMO study found that 10% of patients receiving high-dose statins in clinical practice experienced muscle symptoms, which were associated with activity limitations in more than one-third of these patients.16 Effective options for LDL-C lowering in patients who cannot tolerate statins are limited. The Goal Achievement after Utilizing an anti-PCSK9 antibody in Statin Intolerant Subjects Study 2 (GAUSS-2) trial evaluated evolocumab in 307 patients who had failed two or more statins and could tolerate either no statin or only a low dose of statin.48 The majority of patients had discontinued prior statins due to myalgia. However, 20% of patients had experienced either myositis (defined as muscle symptoms with creatine kinase elevation) or rhabdomyolysis. Notably, 56% of patients were at high risk for coronary heart disease as classified by the National Cholesterol Education Program. Patients were randomized to receive either ezetimibe or evolocumab (either 140 mg Q2W or 420 mg monthly). Both regimens of evolocumab resulted in a mean 38% reduction in LDL-C compared with ezetimibe. Evolocumab was well tolerated in this population of patients who had a strong history of muscle symptoms with statin use. Myalgia was reported in 7%–9% of patients receiving evolocumab and 18% of patients receiving ezetimibe. Data from the ODYSSEY ALTERNATIVE trial indicate that alirocumab is also effective in a population of patients who had failed two statins for muscle symptoms.55 This trial included a single-blind placebo run-in phase (N=361) during which 47 patients who experienced muscle symptoms (13%) were excluded. Additionally, an atorvastatin 20 mg control arm was included along with an ezetimibe control, and all arms were placebo controlled. Results from this trial demonstrated a 30% reduction in LDL-C with alirocumab compared with ezetimibe. Interestingly, muscle-related adverse events were statistically significantly lower in the alirocumab arm compared with the atorvastatin arm (32% vs 46%; P=0.042). While demonstrating the efficacy of PCSK9 inhibition in this stain-intolerant population, the ODYSSEY ALTERNATIVE trial also adds to the body of literature illustrating the complexity and multifaceted nature of statin-associated muscle symptoms with a significant proportion of patients excluded during the placebo run-in while many patients were able to take atorvastatin.

Safety

Evolocumab is generally well tolerated and few patients discontinued this agent due to adverse events. In the placebo-controlled evolocumab monotherapy trial, MENDEL-2, adverse event rates were comparable between evolocumab and placebo (44% in each arm).45 Serious events occurred in 1.3% of patients receiving evolocumab and 0.6% of patients on placebo. Adverse events led to study drug discontinuation in 2.3% of patients receiving evolocumab and 3.9% of patients receiving placebo. Injection-site reactions occurred in 5% of each arm. The alirocumab monotherapy trial, ODYSSEY MONO, was ezetimibe controlled; adverse events occurred in 69% of patients receiving alirocumab and 78% of patients receiving ezetimibe.54 Statin combination trials revealed no increase in adverse events when PCSK9 inhibitors were added to statins.47,52 Longer term studies showed continued tolerability. After 52 weeks of evolocumab treatment, 2% of patients discontinued treatment for an adverse event compared with 1% of patients receiving placebo.44 After 78 weeks of alirocumab treatment, 7% of patients discontinued for an adverse event compared with 6% of patients receiving placebo.53 The most common adverse events occurring in clinical trials of evolocumab and alirocumab are summarized in Table 3.42,43

Table 3

Adverse events occurring in ≥3% of monoclonal antibody-treated patients and more frequently than with placebo

Adverse event	Placebo (%)	Monoclonal antibodya (%)
Evolocumab – 52-week trial	N=302	N=599
(DESCARTES)
Nasopharyngitis	9.6	10.5
Upper respiratory tract infection	6.3	9.3
Influenza	6.3	7.5
Back pain	5.6	6.2
Injection-site reactionsb	5.0	5.7
Cough	3.6	4.5
Urinary tract infection	3.6	4.5
Sinusitis	3.0	4.2
Headache	3.6	4.0
Myalgia	3.0	4.0
Dizziness	2.6	3.7
Musculoskeletal pain	3.0	3.3
Hypertension	2.3	3.2
Diarrhea	2.6	3.0
Gastroenteritis	2.0	3.0
Evolocumab – seven pooled	N=1,224	N=2,052
12-week placebo-controlled trials
Nasopharyngitis	3.9	4.0
Alirocumab – nine	N=1,276	N=2,476
placebo-controlled trialsc
Nasopharyngitis	11.1	11.3
Injection-site reactionsd	5.1	7.2
Influenza	4.6	5.7
Urinary tract infections	4.6	4.8
Diarrhea	4.4	4.7
Bronchitis	3.8	4.3
Myalgia	3.4	4.2
Muscle spasms	2.4	3.1
Sinusitis	2.7	3.0

Notes:

Both indicated doses combined;

erythema, pain, and bruising;

median treatment duration, 65 weeks;

erythema/redness, itching, swelling, pain/tenderness. Data from references 42 and 43.

Abbreviation: DESCARTES, Durable Effect of PCSK9 Antibody Compared with Placebo Study.

A potential concern with long-term administration of biologic agents is the development of neutralizing antidrug antibodies and loss of efficacy over time. Pooled data from placebo- and active-controlled evolocumab trials demonstrate that 0.1% of evolocumab-treated patients developed binding antidrug antibodies with no neutralizing antibody formation; these binding antibodies were not associated with altered pharmacokinetics, safety, or clinical response.43 Pooled data from ten placebo- and active-controlled alirocumab trials demonstrated binding antidrug antibodies in 4.8% of alirocumab-treated patients and 0.6% of control-treated patients.42 These patients experienced a higher rate of injection-site reactions compared with those without antidrug antibodies (10.2% vs 5.9%). Neutralizing antibodies developed in 1.2% of alirocumab-treated patients and no control-treated patients; 0.3% of patients had both neutralizing antibodies and transient or prolonged loss of efficacy.

Diabetes and neurocognitive events are of potential concern with statins.70–72 Whether these same side effects occur with PCSK9 inhibition is of interest and has been evaluated in trials. In DESCARTES, mean (standard error) fasting glucose increased by 0.07 (0.04) mmol/L (1.3 [0.7] mg/dL) from baseline with evolocumab compared with 0.02 (0.05) mmol/L (0.4 [0.9] mg/dL) with placebo. The mean (standard error) glycated hemoglobin increase was 0.02% (0.02) with evolocumab vs 0% (0.03) with placebo.44 In the ODYSSEY LONG TERM trial, with >78 weeks of treatment, new onset diabetes occurred in 1.8% (alirocumab) and 2.0% (placebo) of patients and worsening of diabetes occurred in 12.9% (alirocumab) and 13.6% (placebo) of patients.53 Whether statins are associated with memory loss or other adverse effects on cognition remains controversial.73 Any purported mechanism by which memory loss or neurocognitive deficits could occur remains clinically poorly characterized and mechanistically inadequately studied and defined. Preclinical research suggests statins may be associated with a morphologic change in neurons consisting of areas of swelling referred to as “beads on a string”.74 However, whether these changes result from a direct effect of the statin molecule, its mechanism of action, cholesterol lowering (considering that the majority of cholesterol in the brain is derived from local synthesis),75 or another cause is unknown. In clinical trials of PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies, neurocognitive events were infrequent. In the 1-year controlled period of the OSLER-1 and OSLER-2 trials, neurocognitive events occurred in 0.9% and 0.3% of patients receiving evolocumab plus standard therapy and patients receiving standard therapy alone, respectively.56 A dedicated study of cognition (Evaluating PCSK9 Binding antiBody Influence oN coGnitive HeAlth in High cardiovascUlar Risk Subjects [EBBINGHAUS]; NCT02207634), which has enrolled subjects participating in the larger ongoing Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research with PCSK9 Inhibition in Subjects with Elevated Risk (FOURIER) evolocumab cardiovascular outcomes trial (NCT01764633), is fully enrolled and will provide more detailed, prospectively collected information on the effects of evolocumab on neurocognitive function. In the ODYSSEY LONG TERM trial, neurocognitive disorders occurred in 1.2% and 0.5% of patients with alirocumab and placebo, respectively.53

The magnitude of LDL-C lowering afforded by PCSK9 inhibition, particularly when added to existing lipid-lowering therapy, raises concerns about hypothetical risks associated with the attainment of very low LDL-C concentrations, including hemorrhagic stroke, vitamin E deficiency, and impaired steroid hormone synthesis. An analysis of 1,104 patients who entered the long-term extension trial (OSLER-1) after participation in Phase II studies found no increase in overall adverse events, serious adverse events, creatine kinase elevations, or liver enzyme elevations in patients who achieved LDL-C concentrations of <0.6 mmol/L (<25 mg/dL) or <1.3 mmol/L (<50 mg/dL) compared with those who experienced LDL-C ≥1.3 mmol/L (≥50 mg/dL).69 A numerical increase in headache, insomnia, dizziness, and back pain occurred in patients with lower LDL-C levels. Preliminary data from an analysis of 2,836 patients enrolled in two evolocumab trials, DESCARTES and OSLER-1, demonstrated no increase in rates of adverse events and no cases of hemorrhagic stroke among patients who experienced levels of LDL-C <1.0 mmol/L (<40 mg/dL; n=1005) or <0.6 mmol/L (<25 mg/dL; n=644).76 Because lipoproteins are involved in vitamin E transport77 and cholesterol is required for steroidogenesis,78 levels of these compounds in patients who experienced very low LDL-C levels are of interest. Data from the DESCARTES study were analyzed to answer this question.79,80 In all patients receiving evolocumab, absolute vitamin E levels decreased by a mean of 16%; however, cholesterol-normalized vitamin E levels increased by a mean of 19%. The pattern of vitamin E changes were consistent between patients with very low LDL-C concentrations (defined as <0.4 mmol/L [<15 mg/dL], <0.6 mmol/L [<25 mg/dL], and <1.0 mmol/L [<40 mg/dL]) and higher LDL-C concentrations (≥1.0 mmol/L [≥40 mg/dL]). An analysis of steroid hormones found no correlation between changes in cortisol, testosterone, or estradiol and the change in LDL-C from baseline among evolocumab-treated patients. Overall, these data suggest that the attainment of very low LDL-C concentrations with PCSK9 inhibition poses little risk to patients.

Cardiovascular outcomes

The ultimate value of PCSK9 inhibitors will be measured by their effect on clinical outcomes. Early evidence of cardiovascular benefit with evolocumab was shown in a prospective exploratory analysis of the OSLER-1 and OSLER-2 studies.56 Similarly, post hoc analysis was conducted with alirocumab in the ODYSSEY LONG TERM trial.53 Both analyses showed a reduction in major cardiovascular events with evolocumab and alirocumab added to standard therapy compared with standard therapy alone. These data should be interpreted with caution because event numbers are low, but they are reassuring and corroborate other trials demonstrating that additional lowering of LDL-C beyond that achieved with traditional medications results in improved cardiovascular outcomes.9–12 Large cardiovascular outcome trials are underway with evolocumab (FOURIER; NCT01764633), alirocumab (ODYSSEY OUTCOMES; NCT01663402), and bococizumab (SPIRE-1; NCT01975376 and SPIRE-2; NCT01975389).

Primary care practice considerations

For the primary care physician, PCSK9 inhibitors represent a valuable and efficacious addition to the treatment armamentarium for lowering LDL-C in patients who require further lipid lowering beyond statins or are unable to tolerate statins. The mechanism by which these agents lower LDL-C is well defined and supported by results observed in patients who harbor loss-of-function mutations in PCSK9.25,26 PCSK9 inhibitors lower LDL-C from 46% to 76% compared with placebo,44,46,47,51–53 whereas ezetimibe produces an approximate 16%–18% further reduction,49 making these monoclonal antibodies attractive for patients who require substantial additional LDL-C lowering beyond statin therapy. The use of these agents is warranted in patients with familial forms of hypercholesterolemia, and in patients with clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease on maximally tolerated statins who require additional lowering of LDL-C.

Practical considerations play a role in patient acceptance and adherence to these agents. Evolocumab can be dosed Q2W or monthly. These prolonged dosing intervals lessen the burden on patients and may promote adherence. Data with evolocumab demonstrate that the two dosing frequencies (140 mg Q2W and 420 mg monthly) are clinically equivalent.45–48 Thus far, published alirocumab trials have utilized every 2-week dosing. Results with monthly dosing are available in preliminary form (NCT01926782, NCT02023879) and suggest that monthly dosing of alirocumab may also be possible.81,82 However, monthly dosing is currently only approved for evolocumab.42,43

PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies are self-administered subcutaneously, and willingness to self-inject or the availability of a caregiver for injections is necessary. Approximately three-quarters (74.1%) of eligible patients from evolocumab studies decided to enroll in the OSLER extension studies, with the majority of the remaining 25.9% of subjects who chose not to participate citing either personal reasons or the level of commitment required, indicating good patient acceptance of an injectable therapy.56

These agents are expensive when compared with statins, and funding constraints may limit the number of patients who have access. Evolocumab and alirocumab should be prescribed to carefully selected patients (ie, those patients in whom the absolute risk reduction is largest with further LDL-C reduction) with adequate follow-up to ensure adherence. At present, no comparative data are available to guide clinicians in the choice between anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies.

Conclusion

PCSK9 inhibition with monoclonal antibodies is a novel therapeutic approach for lowering LDL-C. These agents offer substantial LDL-C lowering in patients with familial forms of hypercholesterolemia and those with clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease who are on maximally tolerated statins. Evolocumab and alirocumab are generally well tolerated and the prolonged (Q2W and monthly) dosing schedules may offer the benefit of high patient adherence. Results from cardiovascular outcome trials are eagerly awaited.