Efficacy and Safety of Alirocumab in Children and Adolescents With Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Phase 3, Multinational Open-Label Study.

BACKGROUND: Despite progress in treating homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, most patients do not achieve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets. This study examined efficacy and safety of the PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) inhibitor, alirocumab, in pediatric patients (aged 8-17 years) with inadequately controlled homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. METHODS: In this open-label, single-arm, multinational, Phase 3 study, patients (n=18) received alirocumab 75 mg or 150 mg (bodyweight <50 kg/≥50 kg) every 2 weeks as an adjunct to background treatment. The primary endpoint was percent change in LDL-C from baseline to Week 12. Secondary endpoints included changes in LDL-C and other lipid parameters up to 48 weeks, safety/tolerability, and alirocumab pharmacokinetics. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 12.4 years; 16/18 (89%) had mutations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor gene (LDLR) and 2/18 (11%) had mutations in the LDLR adapter protein 1 gene (LDLRAP1). At baseline, mean LDL-C (standard deviation) was 373.0 (193.5) mg/dL, which decreased by 4.1% at Week 12 (primary endpoint) and 11.4%, 13.2%, and 0.4% at Weeks 4, 24, and 48, respectively. At Week 12, 9/18 (50%) patients achieved LDL-C reductions ≥15%. Mean absolute LDL-C decreases ranged from 25 to 52 mg/dL over follow-up. A post hoc analysis demonstrated heterogeneity of responses according to genotype. There were no unexpected safety/tolerability findings. Free PCSK9 was reduced to near zero for all patients at Weeks 12 and 24. CONCLUSIONS: The study supports the efficacy and safety of alirocumab as a potential adjunct to treatment for some pediatric patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov; NCT03510715.

Risk Categorization Using New American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines for Cholesterol Management and Its Relation to Alirocumab Treatment Following Acute Coronary Syndromes.

BACKGROUND: The 2018 US cholesterol management guidelines recommend additional lipid-lowering therapies for secondary prevention in patients with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥70 mg/dL or non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥100 mg/dL despite maximum tolerated statin therapy. Such patients are considered at very high risk (VHR) based on a history of >1 major atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) event or a single ASCVD event and multiple high-risk conditions. We investigated the association of US guideline-defined risk categories with the occurrence of ischemic events after acute coronary syndrome and reduction of those events by alirocumab, a PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) inhibitor. METHODS: In the ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial (Evaluation of Cardiovascular Outcomes After an Acute Coronary Syndrome During Treatment With Alirocumab), patients with recent acute coronary syndrome and residual dyslipidemia despite optimal statin therapy were randomly assigned to alirocumab or placebo. The primary trial outcome (major adverse cardiovascular events, ie, coronary heart disease death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, or hospitalization for unstable angina) was examined according to American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association risk category. RESULTS: Of 18 924 participants followed for a median of 2.8 years, 11 935 (63.1%) were classified as VHR: 4450 (37.3%) had multiple prior ASCVD events and 7485 (62.7%) had 1 major ASCVD event and multiple high-risk conditions. Major adverse cardiovascular events occurred in 14.4% of placebo-treated patients at VHR versus 5.6% of those not at VHR. In the VHR category, major adverse cardiovascular events occurred in 20.4% with multiple prior ASCVD events versus 10.7% with 1 ASCVD event and multiple high-risk conditions. Alirocumab was associated with consistent relative risk reductions in both risk categories (hazard ratio=0.84 for VHR; hazard ratio=0.86 for not VHR; Pinteraction=0.820) and by stratification within the VHR group (hazard ratio=0.86 for multiple prior ASCVD events; hazard ratio=0.82 for 1 major ASCVD event and multiple high-risk conditions; Pinteraction=0.672). The absolute risk reduction for major adverse cardiovascular events with alirocumab was numerically greater (but not statistically different) in the VHR group versus those not at VHR (2.1% versus 0.8%; Pinteraction=0.095) and among patients at VHR with multiple prior ASCVD events versus a single prior ASCVD event (2.4% versus 1.8%; Pinteraction=0.661). CONCLUSIONS: The US guideline criteria identify patients with recent acute coronary syndrome and dyslipidemia who are at VHR for recurrent ischemic events and who may derive a larger absolute benefit from treatment with alirocumab. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01663402.

Regional Variations in Alirocumab Dosing Patterns in Patients with Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia During an Open-Label Extension Study.

PURPOSE: During the alirocumab open-label extension study ODYSSEY OLE (open-label extension; NCT01954394), physicians could adjust alirocumab dosing for enrolled patients, who were diagnosed with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) and who had completed previous phase III clinical trials with alirocumab. This post hoc analysis evaluated the differences in physician-patient dosing decisions between the regions of Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, and the rest of the world (ROW). METHODS: Patients (n = 909) who received starting dose alirocumab 75 mg every 2 weeks (Q2W) during ODYSSEY OLE (patients from FH I, FH II, and LONG TERM parent studies) were included. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were blinded until week 8; subsequently, LDL-C values were communicated to physicians. From week 12, dose adjustment from 75 to 150 mg Q2W, or vice versa, was possible. RESULTS: Mean LDL-C values used for the decision to increase dose from 75 to 150 mg Q2W were higher in Eastern Europe (3.7 mmol/L; 144.0 mg/dL) and ROW (3.8 mmol/L; 145.2 mg/dL) compared with Western Europe (3.1 mmol/L; 118.6 mg/dL) and North America (3.3 mmol/L; 126.6 mg/dL). Irrespective of region, the mean LDL-C at the time of decision to maintain at 75 mg Q2W was approximately 1.8 mmol/L (70 mg/dL). During ODYSSEY OLE (median treatment duration of 131.7 weeks), alirocumab was shown to have no unexpected long-term safety concerns. CONCLUSIONS: In this OLE study, the observed variations in clinical treatment decisions suggest that physicians may perceive the severity of HeFH and/or the treatment of HeFH differently depending on their region.

Correction to: Assessment of the 1% of Patients with Consistent < 15% Reduction in Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol: Pooled Analysis of 10 Phase 3 ODYSSEY Alirocumab Trials.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake in the Discussion section.

Assessment of the 1% of Patients with Consistent < 15% Reduction in Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol: Pooled Analysis of 10 Phase 3 ODYSSEY Alirocumab Trials.

PURPOSE: Clinical trials of statins and other lipid-lowering therapies (LLTs) often report large inter-individual variations in their effects on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). We evaluated apparent hyporesponsiveness to the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor alirocumab (defined as < 15% LDL-C reduction from baseline at all timepoints) using data from 10 Phase 3 trials (3120 hypercholesterolemic patients). METHODS: This report assessed the LDL-C percent reduction from baseline at weeks 4-104 (depending on study), and alirocumab serum levels and antidrug antibodies, in patients with apparent hyporesponsiveness. RESULTS: Among the 3120 patients evaluated, 98.9% responded to alirocumab, and 33 (1.1%) had < 15% LDL C reduction at all measured timepoints. Pharmacokinetics data indicated that 13/33 apparent hyporesponders had not received alirocumab; no pharmacokinetics data were available for 14/33, and 6/33 had detectable alirocumab. For the six patients with confirmed alirocumab receipt, the degree of adherence to pre-study concurrent LLTs could not be determined after study start; one of these patients had persistent antidrug antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: Apparent hyporesponsiveness to alirocumab appeared to be due to lack of receipt of alirocumab determined by serum alirocumab levels, possible lack of adherence to concurrent LLTs, a theoretical and rare possibility of biological non-responsiveness due to persistent antidrug antibodies, or other causes, as yet unidentified.

PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies reverse the pro-inflammatory profile of monocytes in familial hypercholesterolaemia.

AIMS: Migration of monocytes into the arterial wall contributes to arterial inflammation and atherosclerosis progression. Since elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels have been associated with activation of plasma monocytes, intensive LDL-C lowering may reverse these pro-inflammatory changes. Using proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) which selectively reduce LDL-C, we studied the impact of LDL-C lowering on monocyte phenotype and function in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) not using statins due to statin-associated muscle symptoms. METHODS AND RESULTS: We assessed monocyte phenotype and function using flow cytometry and a trans-endothelial migration assay in FH patients (n = 22: LDL 6.8 ± 1.9 mmol/L) and healthy controls (n = 18, LDL 2.9 ± 0.8 mmol/L). Monocyte chemokine receptor (CCR) 2 expression was approximaterly three-fold higher in FH patients compared with controls. C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2) expression correlated significantly with plasma LDL-C levels (r = 0.709) and was positively associated with intracellular lipid accumulation. Monocytes from FH patients also displayed enhanced migratory capacity ex vivo. After 24 weeks of PCSK9 mAb treatment (n = 17), plasma LDL-C was reduced by 49%, which coincided with reduced intracellular lipid accumulation and reduced CCR2 expression. Functional relevance was substantiated by the reversal of enhanced migratory capacity of monocytes following PCSK9 mAb therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Monocytes of FH patients have a pro-inflammatory phenotype, which is dampened by LDL-C lowering by PCSK9 mAb therapy. LDL-C lowering was paralleled by reduced intracellular lipid accumulation, suggesting that LDL-C lowering itself is associated with anti-inflammatory effects on circulating monocytes.

The Statin-Associated Muscle Symptom Clinical Index (SAMS-CI): Revision for Clinical Use, Content Validation, and Inter-rater Reliability.

PURPOSE: The Statin-Associated Muscle Symptom Clinical Index (SAMS-CI) is a method for assessing the likelihood that a patient's muscle symptoms (e.g., myalgia or myopathy) were caused or worsened by statin use. The objectives of this study were to prepare the SAMS-CI for clinical use, estimate its inter-rater reliability, and collect feedback from physicians on its practical application. METHODS: For content validity, we conducted structured in-depth interviews with its original authors as well as with a panel of independent physicians. Estimation of inter-rater reliability involved an analysis of 30 written clinical cases which were scored by a sample of physicians. A separate group of physicians provided feedback on the clinical use of the SAMS-CI and its potential utility in practice. RESULTS: Qualitative interviews with providers supported the content validity of the SAMS-CI. Feedback on the clinical use of the SAMS-CI included several perceived benefits (such as brevity, clear wording, and simple scoring process) and some possible concerns (workflow issues and applicability in primary care). The inter-rater reliability of the SAMS-CI was estimated to be 0.77 (confidence interval 0.66-0.85), indicating high concordance between raters. With additional provider feedback, a revised SAMS-CI instrument was created suitable for further testing, both in the clinical setting and in prospective validation studies. CONCLUSIONS: With standardized questions, vetted language, easily interpreted scores, and demonstrated reliability, the SAMS aims to estimate the likelihood that a patient's muscle symptoms were attributable to statins. The SAMS-CI may support better detection of statin-associated muscle symptoms in clinical practice, optimize treatment for patients experiencing muscle symptoms, and provide a useful tool for further clinical research.

Efficacy and safety of alirocumab in patients with hypercholesterolemia not adequately controlled with non-statin lipid-lowering therapy or the lowest strength of statin: ODYSSEY NIPPON study design and rationale.

BACKGROUND: Statins are generally well-tolerated and serious side effects are infrequent, but some patients experience adverse events and reduce their statin dose or discontinue treatment altogether. Alirocumab is a highly specific, fully human monoclonal antibody to proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), which can produce substantial and sustained reductions of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). METHODS: The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, phase 3 ODYSSEY NIPPON study will explore alirocumab 150 mg every 4 weeks (Q4W) in 163 Japanese patients with hypercholesterolemia who are on the lowest-strength dose of atorvastatin (5 mg/day) or are receiving a non-statin lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) (fenofibrate, bezafibrate, ezetimibe, or diet therapy alone). Hypercholesterolemia is defined as LDL-C ≥ 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L) in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia or non-familial hypercholesterolemia with a history of documented coronary heart disease, or ≥120 mg/dL (3.1 mmol/L) in patients with non-familial hypercholesterolemia classified as primary prevention category III (i.e. high-risk patients). During the 12-week double-blind treatment period, patients will be randomized (1:1:1) to receive alirocumab subcutaneously (SC) 150 mg Q4W alternating with placebo for alirocumab Q4W, or alirocumab 150 mg SC every 2 weeks (Q2W), or SC placebo Q2W. The primary efficacy endpoint is the percentage change in calculated LDL-C from baseline to week 12. The long-term safety and tolerability of alirocumab will also be investigated. DISCUSSION: The ODYSSEY NIPPON study will provide insights into the efficacy and safety of alirocumab 150 mg Q4W or 150 mg Q2W among Japanese patients with hypercholesterolemia who are on the lowest-strength dose of atorvastatin, or are receiving a non-statin LLT (including diet therapy alone). TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT02584504.

No effect of PCSK9 inhibitor alirocumab on the incidence of diabetes in a pooled analysis from 10 ODYSSEY Phase 3 studies.

AIMS: Statins have modest adverse effects on glycaemic control. Alirocumab, a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor, lowers low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. This study assessed the effects of alirocumab on new-onset diabetes and pre-diabetes incidence in individuals without diabetes at baseline. METHODS AND RESULTS: Pooled analysis of 10 ODYSSEY Phase 3 trials (n = 4974) of 24-104 weeks duration. Six trials (n = 4211) were ≥52 weeks in length. Most patients received background maximally tolerated statin. Alirocumab effect on the rate of diabetes-related treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), and/or fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycated haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) was measured at baseline and every 12-24 weeks. Transition to diabetes analysis combined TEAE and FPG/HbA1C laboratory data. At baseline, 30.7% of individuals had diabetes and were excluded from the current analysis. The remaining 3448 individuals without diabetes had pre-diabetes (39.6%) or were normoglycaemic (29.7%). The hazard ratio (HR; 95% confidence interval) for diabetes-related TEAEs in alirocumab was 0.64 (0.36-1.14) vs. placebo and 0.55 (0.22-1.41) vs. ezetimibe. The HR associated for transition from pre-diabetes to new-onset diabetes for alirocumab was 0.90 (0.63-1.29) vs. placebo and 1.10 (0.57-2.12) vs. ezetimibe. Mean change in FPG/HbA1C over time showed no difference between treatment groups in patients without diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence of an effect of alirocumab on transition to new-onset diabetes in 3448 individuals without diabetes at baseline with a follow-up period of 6-18 months, compared to either placebo or ezetimibe. Longer follow-up with larger number of individuals is needed to conclusively rule out an effect.

Efficacy and Safety of Alirocumab in Japanese Patients With Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia or at High Cardiovascular Risk With Hypercholesterolemia Not Adequately Controlled With Statins　- ODYSSEY JAPAN Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: The ODYSSEY Japan study was designed to demonstrate the reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by alirocumab as add-on to existing lipid-lowering therapy in Japanese patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (heFH) or non-FH at high cardiovascular risk who require additional pharmacological management to achieve their LDL-C treatment goal (<2.6 or <3.1 mmol/L, depending on risk category). METHODS AND RESULTS: This randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, 52-week study was conducted in Japan. Patients (n=216) with heFH, non-FH at high cardiovascular risk with coronary disease, or classified as category III were enrolled. The prespecified safety analysis was done after the last patient completed 52 weeks. Patients were randomized (2:1, alirocumab:placebo) with stratification for heFH to s.c. alirocumab (75 mg every 2 weeks [Q2 W] with increase to 150 mg if week 8 LDL-C ≥2.6/3.1 mmol/L) or placebo for 52 weeks plus stable statin therapy. At week 24, mean±SE change in LDL-C from baseline was -62.5±1.3% in the alirocumab group and 1.6±1.8% in the placebo group (difference, -64.1±2.2%; P<0.0001); the reduction was sustained to week 52 (alirocumab, -62.5±1.4%; placebo, -3.6±1.9%). No patterns were evident between treatment groups for adverse events at 52 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: In high-risk Japanese patients with hypercholesterolemia on stable statin therapy, alirocumab markedly reduced LDL-C vs. placebo and was well tolerated over 52 weeks. (Circ J 2016; 80: 1980-1987).

Efficacy and Safety of Alirocumab in Patients with Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia and LDL-C of 160 mg/dl or Higher.

PURPOSE: Even with statins and other lipid-lowering therapy (LLT), many patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (heFH) continue to have elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. ODYSSEY HIGH FH (NCT01617655) assessed the efficacy and safety of alirocumab, a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 monoclonal antibody, versus placebo in patients with heFH and LDL-C ≥ 160 mg/dl despite maximally tolerated statin ± other LLT. METHODS: Patients were randomized to subcutaneous alirocumab 150 mg or placebo every 2 weeks (Q2W) for 78 weeks. The primary endpoint was percent change in LDL-C from baseline to week 24. RESULTS: Mean baseline LDL-C levels were 196.3 mg/dl in the alirocumab (n = 71) and 201.0 mg/dl in the placebo groups (n = 35). Significant mean (standard error [SE]) reductions in LDL-C from baseline to week 24 were observed with alirocumab (-45.7 [3.5] %) versus placebo (-6.6 [4.9] %), a difference of -39.1 (6.0) % (P < 0.0001). Absolute mean (SE) LDL-C levels were reduced from baseline by 90.8 (6.7) mg/dl with alirocumab at week 24, with reductions maintained to week 78. Treatment-emergent adverse events were generally comparable between groups. Injection-site reactions were more frequent in the alirocumab group (8.3 %) versus placebo (5.7 %); most were mild in severity and did not result in study medication discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with heFH and very high LDL-C baseline levels despite maximally tolerated statin ± other LLT, alirocumab 150 mg Q2W demonstrated significant reductions in LDL-C levels with 41 % of patients achieving predefined LDL-C goals. Alirocumab was generally well tolerated.

ODYSSEY FH I and FH II: 78 week results with alirocumab treatment in 735 patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia.

AIMS: To assess long-term (78 weeks) alirocumab treatment in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) and inadequate LDL-C control on maximally tolerated lipid-lowering therapy (LLT). METHODS AND RESULTS: In two randomized, double-blind studies (ODYSSEY FH I, n = 486; FH II, n = 249), patients were randomized 2 : 1 to alirocumab 75 mg or placebo every 2 weeks (Q2W). Alirocumab dose was increased at Week 12 to 150 mg Q2W if Week 8 LDL-C was ≥1.8 mmol/L (70 mg/dL). Primary endpoint (both studies) was percentage change in calculated LDL-C from baseline to Week 24. Mean LDL-C levels decreased from 3.7 mmol/L (144.7 mg/dL) at baseline to 1.8 mmol/L (71.3 mg/dL; -57.9% vs. placebo) at Week 24 in patients randomized to alirocumab in FH I and from 3.5 mmol/L (134.6 mg/dL) to 1.8 mmol/L (67.7 mg/dL; -51.4% vs. placebo) in FH II (P < 0.0001). These reductions were maintained through Week 78. LDL-C <1.8 mmol/L (regardless of cardiovascular risk) was achieved at Week 24 by 59.8 and 68.2% of alirocumab-treated patients in FH I and FH II, respectively. Adverse events resulted in discontinuation in 3.4% of alirocumab-treated patients in FH I (vs. 6.1% placebo) and 3.6% (vs. 1.2%) in FH II. Rate of injection site reactions in alirocumab-treated patients was 12.4% in FH I and 11.4% in FH II (vs. 11.0 and 7.4% with placebo). CONCLUSION: In patients with HeFH and inadequate LDL-C control at baseline despite maximally tolerated statin ± other LLT, alirocumab treatment resulted in significant LDL-C lowering and greater achievement of LDL-C target levels and was well tolerated. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Cinicaltrials.gov (identifiers: NCT01623115; NCT01709500).

Efficacy and safety of alirocumab in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia not adequately controlled with current lipid-lowering therapy: design and rationale of the ODYSSEY FH studies.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (heFH) have higher levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and are predisposed to premature cardiovascular disease. Alirocumab is a fully-human, monoclonal antibody targeted to proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 currently in Phase 3 development for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Described here are three ODYSSEY Phase 3 trials, FH I (NCT01623115), FH II (NCT01709500) and HIGH FH (patients with heFH and LDL-C levels ≥160 mg/dL) (NCT01617655), in which alirocumab is further evaluated in the heFH population. METHODS: Multicenter, multinational, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have been designed to evaluate efficacy and safety of alirocumab in more than 800 patients with heFH who are not adequately controlled with a maximally-tolerated stable daily dose of statin for ≥4 weeks prior to the screening visit, with or without other lipid-lowering therapy. Patients are randomized (2:1) to receive alirocumab or placebo via a 1-mL subcutaneous auto-injection every 2 weeks (Q2W) for 78 weeks. In studies FH I and II, if their Week 8 LDL-C level is ≥70 mg/dL, patients will undergo a dose uptitration from 75 to 150 mg alirocumab Q2W at Week 12. In HIGH FH, patients will receive alirocumab 150 mg Q2W throughout the entire treatment period. The primary efficacy endpoint in all three studies is the percent change in calculated LDL-C from baseline to Week 24. CONCLUSIONS: The ODYSSEY FH studies are three Phase 3 studies aiming to further evaluate the efficacy and long-term safety of alirocumab as an effective therapeutic option for patients with heFH.

Alirocumab treatment and neurocognitive function according to the CANTAB scale in patients at increased cardiovascular risk: A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Trials of the fully human monoclonal antibody proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor (PCSK9) alirocumab in hypercholesterolemia demonstrated substantial low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering, reduction in cardiovascular (CV) events and outcomes, and a generally acceptable safety and tolerability profile. The impact of maintaining low LDL-C levels on higher order brain function is unclear, with reports of neurocognitive disorders with other lipid-lowering therapies. METHODS: Patients (n = 2176) with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) or non-FH, at high or very-high CV risk despite maximally tolerated statin therapy, randomly received subcutaneous alirocumab 75/150 mg or placebo every 2 weeks in this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The primary outcome was prospectively evaluated every 24 weeks over 96 weeks by Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). RESULTS: Among 2086 patients with CANTAB cognitive domain Spatial Working Memory Strategy (SWMS) assessments, change from baseline to Week 96 in SWMS z-score (primary outcome) achieved noninferiority between alirocumab and placebo (least squares [LS] mean change at Week 96, -0.180 vs -0.200; LS mean difference vs placebo [95% confidence interval]: -0.020 [-0.094 to 0.055], p = 0.6055). Exploratory outcome measures, which further assessed neurocognitive function in the CANTAB domains, did not differ significantly over 96 weeks and achieved nominal noninferiority between treatment groups. Alirocumab resulted in nominally significant reductions in LDL-C and other lipid parameters, and was generally well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Confirming previous PCSK9 inhibitor data, alirocumab showed no effect on neurocognitive function over 96 weeks' treatment, substantially reduced LDL-C and was generally well tolerated in patients with HeFH or non-FH at high or very-high CV risk.

Intensity of statin treatment after acute coronary syndrome, residual risk, and its modification by alirocumab: insights from the ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial.

AIMS: Statins are pivotal to the secondary prevention of major adverse cardiovascular events, but some patients are statin-intolerant. We examined the effects of the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor alirocumab on the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events according to the intensity of background statin treatment. METHODS AND RESULTS: The ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial compared alirocumab with placebo in 18,924 patients with acute coronary syndrome and dyslipidaemia despite intensive or maximum-tolerated statin treatment (including no statin if intolerance was documented). The primary outcome (major adverse cardiovascular events) comprised coronary heart disease death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, ischaemic stroke, or unstable angina. Median follow-up was 2.8 years. Baseline statin treatment was high-intensity (88.8%), low/moderate-intensity (8.7%) or none (2.4%). Median baseline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was 86, 89 and 139 mg/dL (P < 0.001) in these statin treatment categories, respectively. Alirocumab produced similar relative reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol from baseline across statin treatment subgroups, but the mean absolute reductions differed (52.9, 56.7 and 86.1 mg/dL, respectively; P < 0.001). With placebo, the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events was highest in the no statin subgroup (10.8%, 10.7% and 26.0% respectively). Alirocumab reduced major adverse cardiovascular events in each statin subgroup (hazard ratio 0.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.80-0.96; 0.68, 0.49-0.94; and 0.65, 0.44-0.97, respectively; Pinteraction = 0.14) with a gradient of absolute risk reduction: 1.25%, 95% CI 0.34-2.16; 3.16%, 0.38-5.94; 7.97%, 0.42-15.51; Pinteraction = 0.106). CONCLUSIONS: PCSK9 inhibition with alirocumab reduces the relative risk of major adverse cardiovascular events after acute coronary syndrome irrespective of background statin treatment. However, patients on no statin are at high absolute risk for recurrent major adverse cardiovascular events; alirocumab substantially reduces that risk. PCSK9 inhibition may be an important therapeutic strategy for statin-intolerant patients with acute coronary syndrome.

PCSK9 inhibition with alirocumab in pediatric patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: The ODYSSEY KIDS study.

BACKGROUND: Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) is a genetic disorder characterized by elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). OBJECTIVE: This phase 2 dose-finding study (NCT02890992) evaluated the efficacy, safety, and dose selection of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor alirocumab in pediatric HeFH patients. METHODS: HeFH patients (n = 42) who were aged 8-17 years, had body weight (BW) ≥25 kg, and had LDL-C ≥130 mg/dL despite optimal statin/other lipid-modifying therapies were enrolled in 4 cohorts according to BW: cohort #1: 30 mg (<50 kg) or 50 mg (≥50 kg) every 2 weeks (Q2W), #2: 40 mg (<50 kg) or 75 mg (≥50 kg) Q2W, #3: 75 mg (<50 kg) or 150 mg (≥50 kg) every 4 weeks (Q4W), #4: 150 mg (<50 kg) or 300 mg (≥50 kg) Q4W. Primary endpoint was LDL-C % change from baseline to week 8. RESULTS: Mean age was 12.4 years and 95% of patients were on a statin. Baseline LDL-C levels were 160.0-188.9 mg/dL and free PCSK9 was 186.4-201.7 ng/mL across the cohorts. At week 8, the higher dose cohorts (2 and 4) demonstrated the greatest reductions in LDL-C (-46% and -45%, respectively). Free PCSK9 levels were lowest at week 8 in cohorts 2 and 4 (42.2 ng/mL and 8.6 ng/mL, respectively). Adverse events were reported in 50-90% of patients across the cohorts, and 2 patients discontinued due to adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: In pediatric HeFH patients, LDL-C reductions were greatest in the higher dose cohorts. Alirocumab was generally well tolerated at all doses.

Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of Alirocumab in Healthy Chinese Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Ascending Single-Dose Study.

BACKGROUND: The addition of alirocumab (a fully human monoclonal antibody to proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 [PCSK9]) to background statin therapy provides significant incremental low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering and cardiovascular event risk reduction. OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of single ascending doses of alirocumab in healthy Chinese subjects. METHODS: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase I study, 35 Chinese subjects (aged 21-45 years) with baseline LDL-C > 100 mg/dL (2.59 mmol/L) were randomized to receive a single 1 mL subcutaneous injection of alirocumab 75, 150, or 300 mg, or placebo, and followed up for ~ 12 weeks. RESULTS: Treatment-emergent adverse events, most frequently nasal congestion and dry throat, were reported in three of seven or eight subjects in each alirocumab dose group (two of seven in the placebo group). One patient receiving alirocumab 300 mg had a mild local injection-site reaction. No alirocumab recipients demonstrated antidrug antibodies. Maximum alirocumab serum concentrations (6-34 mg/dL) occurred at a median of 3-7 days across the dose groups. Maximum mean LDL-C reductions from baseline were observed on days 8, 15, and 22 with alirocumab 75 (55.3%), 150 (63.7%), and 300 mg (73.7%), respectively. Mean free PCSK9 levels were reduced to below the lower limit of quantification within 4 h of dosing. Total cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B were reduced with alirocumab. CONCLUSIONS: In Chinese subjects, alirocumab 75, 150, and 300 mg was safe and well-tolerated. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters, including clinically meaningful reductions in LDL-C and other lipids/lipoproteins, were consistent with data from Japanese and Western populations. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02979015.

ODYSSEY EAST: Alirocumab efficacy and safety vs ezetimibe in high cardiovascular risk patients with hypercholesterolemia and on maximally tolerated statin in China, India, and Thailand.

BACKGROUND: The proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor alirocumab significantly reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). OBJECTIVE: This study (ODYSSEY EAST) assessed the efficacy and safety of alirocumab vs ezetimibe in high cardiovascular risk patients from Asia. METHODS: Patients (n = 615) from China, India, and Thailand with hypercholesterolemia at high cardiovascular risk on maximally tolerated statin were randomized (2:1) to alirocumab (75 mg every 2 weeks [Q2W]; with dose increase to 150 mg Q2W at week 12 if week 8 LDL-C was >1.81 mmol/L [>70 mg/dL]) or ezetimibe (10 mg daily) for 24 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was percentage change in calculated LDL-C from baseline to week 24. Safety was assessed throughout. RESULTS: Baseline data were similar in both groups. LDL-C levels were reduced from baseline to week 24 by 56.0% and 20.3% in the alirocumab and ezetimibe groups, respectively (P < .0001 vs ezetimibe). Overall, 18.8% of alirocumab-treated patients received a dose increase to 150 mg Q2W. At week 24, 85.1% of alirocumab-treated and 40.5% of ezetimibe-treated patients reached LDL-C <1.81 mmol/L (<70 mg/dL, P < .0001 vs ezetimibe). Treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 68.5% of alirocumab-treated and 63.1% of ezetimibe-treated patients, with upper respiratory tract infection the most common (alirocumab: 13.3%; ezetimibe: 14.1%). Injection-site reactions occurred more frequently in alirocumab-treated patients (2.7%) than in ezetimibe-treated patients (1.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Alirocumab significantly reduced LDL-C vs ezetimibe in high cardiovascular risk patients from Asia and was generally well tolerated. These findings are consistent with previous ODYSSEY studies.

Efficacy and safety of alirocumab in statin-intolerant patients over 3 years: open-label treatment period of the ODYSSEY ALTERNATIVE trial.

BACKGROUND: The 24-week randomized, double-blind ODYSSEY ALTERNATIVE trial (NCT01709513) demonstrated significant low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reductions with the PCSK9 inhibitor alirocumab vs ezetimibe in statin-intolerant patients, with significantly fewer skeletal muscle events (SMEs; 32.5%) vs atorvastatin (46.0%; hazard ratio: 0.61, 95% confidence interval: 0.38 to 0.99, P = .042). OBJECTIVE: ALTERNATIVE participants could enter an open-label treatment period (OLTP) for assessment of long-term safety. METHODS: Two hundred and eighty one patients entered the OLTP; 93.7%, 84.0%, and 92.9% of patients who received atorvastatin, ezetimibe, and alirocumab, respectively, during double-blind treatment, including 216 patients (76.9%) who completed double-blind treatment, as well as patients who either prematurely discontinued treatment due to SME (n = 51 [18.1%]) or other reasons (n = 14 [5.0%]) but completed week 24 assessments. All patients in the OLTP received alirocumab (75 or 150 mg every 2 weeks based on investigator decision) for ∼3 years or until commercial availability, whichever came first. RESULTS: SMEs were reported by 38.4% of patients in the OLTP. Safety results from the OLTP were similar to those of the alirocumab group in the double-blind period, except for a lower rate of discontinuations due to SMEs observed with alirocumab in the OLTP (3.2% vs 15.9% in the double-blind period). At OLTP week 8, mean LDL-C reduction from baseline (=week 0 of double-blind period) was 52.0%, with reductions sustained through to the end-of-treatment visits (55.4% and 53.7% reduction at weeks 100 and 148, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In this population of statin-intolerant patients, alirocumab was well tolerated and produced durable LDL-C reductions over 3 years.