Alirocumab in Acute Myocardial Infarction: Results From the Virginia Commonwealth University Alirocumab Response Trial (VCU-AlirocRT)

J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2019 Sep;74(3):266-269. doi: 10.1097/FJC.0000000000000706.

Abstract

Alirocumab improves outcomes in patients with a history of recent acute coronary syndrome, but treatment acutely at the time of myocardial infarction is untested. We present the results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded pilot study of alirocumab treatment at the time of non-ST elevation MI (NSTEMI). Twenty patients with type 1 NSTEMI and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) >70 mg/dL despite high intensity statin therapy were randomized 1:1 to one dose of alirocumab 150 mg subcutaneously or placebo within 24 hours of presentation. LDL-C and inflammatory biomarkers-including C-reactive protein-were obtained at baseline, 72 hours, and 14 days. Median (interquartile range) and number (%) were: age 59 (49, 65) years, 7 (35%) men, 16 (80%) black; baseline characteristics were similar between groups. Alirocumab significantly reduced LDL-C from baseline to 14 days by 64 mg/dL (-96, -47) compared with placebo [+1 mg/dL (-25, +16)] (primary endpoint). There were no significant between-group differences in C-reactive protein changes at any time point (all P > 0.2) or serious adverse events attributable to the study treatment. In conclusion, alirocumab administration at the time of NSTEMI significantly reduced LDL-C levels at 14 days, was safe, and had neutral effects on inflammatory biomarkers. Further studies are warranted to explore the effects on clinical outcomes.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase IV
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use*
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / adverse effects
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Down-Regulation
  • Dyslipidemias / blood
  • Dyslipidemias / diagnosis
  • Dyslipidemias / drug therapy*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Non-ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction / blood
  • Non-ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction / diagnosis
  • Non-ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction / drug therapy*
  • PCSK9 Inhibitors
  • Pilot Projects
  • Serine Proteinase Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Serine Proteinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Virginia

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Anticholesteremic Agents
  • Biomarkers
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • PCSK9 Inhibitors
  • Serine Proteinase Inhibitors
  • PCSK9 protein, human
  • alirocumab