Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Evolocumab, a PCSK9 Inhibitor

Clin Pharmacokinet. 2018 Jul;57(7):769-779. doi: 10.1007/s40262-017-0620-7.

Abstract

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) increases plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by decreasing expression of the LDL receptor on hepatic cells. Evolocumab is a human monoclonal immunoglobulin G2 that binds specifically to human PCSK9 to reduce LDL-C. Evolocumab exhibits nonlinear kinetics as a result of binding to PCSK9. Elimination is predominantly through saturable binding to PCSK9 at lower concentrations and a nonsaturable proteolytic pathway at higher concentrations. The effective half-life of evolocumab is 11-17 days. The pharmacodynamic effects of evolocumab on PCSK9 are rapid, with maximum suppression within 4 h. At steady state, peak reduction of LDL-C occurs approximately 1 week after a subcutaneous dose of 140 mg every 2 weeks (Q2W) and 2 weeks after a subcutaneous dose 420 mg once monthly (QM), and returns towards baseline over the dosing interval. In several clinical studies, these doses of evolocumab reduced LDL-C by approximately 55-75% compared with placebo. Evolocumab also reduced lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels and improved those of other lipids in clinical studies. No clinically meaningful differences in pharmacodynamic effects on LDL-C were observed in adult subjects regardless of mild/moderate hepatic impairment, renal impairment or renal failure, body weight, race, sex, or age. No clinically meaningful differences were observed for the pharmacodynamic effects of evolocumab on LDL-C between patients who received evolocumab alone or in combination with a statin, resulting in additional lowering of LDL-C when evolocumab was combined with a statin. No dose adjustment is necessary based on patient-specific factors or concomitant medication use.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / chemistry
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacokinetics*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / chemistry
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / pharmacokinetics*
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / blood
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / drug therapy
  • Clinical Trials as Topic / methods
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacokinetics
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hyperlipidemias / blood
  • Hyperlipidemias / drug therapy
  • PCSK9 Inhibitors*
  • Proprotein Convertase 9 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Anticholesteremic Agents
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • PCSK9 Inhibitors
  • PCSK9 protein, human
  • Proprotein Convertase 9
  • evolocumab