Icosabutate, a Structurally Engineered Fatty Acid, Improves the Cardiovascular Risk Profile in Statin-Treated Patients with Residual Hypertriglyceridemia.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of icosabutate, an oral, once-daily, first-in-class medication, in reducing non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) in patients with persistent hypertriglyceridemia despite statin therapy. METHODS: The study was designed to randomly assign 140 patients with fasting triglyceride levels ≥200 but <500 mg/dl on a stable dose of statin therapy to receive either masked icosabutate 600 mg once daily or a control for 12 weeks. The primary end point was a percentage change in non-HDL-C from baseline to 12 weeks. RESULTS: With icosabutate, non-HDL-C levels were reduced (-9.2%) when compared with the control (-0.4%) for a between-group difference of -7.4% (p = 0.02). Compared with the control, icosabutate reduced triglycerides (-27.0%, p < 0.001), very- low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol (-31.5%, p < 0.001) and apolipoprotein C-III (-22.5%, p < 0.001). LDL-C levels did not change (0.5%, p = 0.87). HDL-C (10.2%, p < 0.001) was increased. After 113 subjects had been randomized, the study was terminated due to a partial clinical hold imposed by US regulators after observing QT prolongation at supratherapeutic doses of icosabutate in a dog study. In this study, adverse events were balanced between treatment arms, and there were no discontinuations due to adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Icosabutate was efficacious in lowering non-HDL-C and other biomarkers of cardiovascular risk and was generally well tolerated.

Treatment with ETC-1002 alone and in combination with ezetimibe lowers LDL cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic patients with or without statin intolerance.

BACKGROUND: ETC-1002 is an oral, once-daily, first-in-class medication being developed to treat hypercholesterolemia. OBJECTIVES: To compare 2 doses of ETC-1002, alone or combined with ezetimibe 10 mg (EZE), vs EZE monotherapy for lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). METHODS: This phase 2b, multicenter, double-blind trial-evaluated hypercholesterolemic patients (LDL-C, 130 to 220 mg/dL) with (n = 177) or without (n = 171) muscle-related intolerance to ≥2 statins; 1 at lowest approved dose. Subjects were randomized to 12-week treatment with ETC-1002 120 mg or ETC-1002 180 mg alone, EZE alone, ETC-1002 120 mg plus EZE, or ETC-1002 180 mg plus EZE. RESULTS: EZE alone lowered LDL-C by 21%, whereas ETC-1002 monotherapy with 120 mg or 180 mg reduced LDL-C by 27% (P = .0008 vs EZE) and 30% (P < .0001 vs EZE), respectively. The combination of ETC-1002, 120 mg or 180 mg plus EZE reduced LDL-C by 43% and 48%, respectively (both P < .0001 vs EZE). ETC-1002 alone or combined with EZE also reduced non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, LDL particle number, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein compared with EZE alone. Across all treatment groups, statin-intolerant patients reported more muscle-related adverse events than did statin-tolerant patients. ETC-1002 was safe and well tolerated, and rates of muscle-related adverse events were similar in all treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with and without statin intolerance, daily treatment with ETC-1002 120 mg and 180 mg alone or with EZE reduced LDL-C more than EZE alone and had a similar tolerability profile (NCT01941836).

Icosabutate for the treatment of very high triglycerides: A placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, 12-week clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Icosabutate is a structurally enhanced omega-3 fatty acid molecule developed with the aim of achieving improved triglyceride (TG)-lowering efficacy, increased potency, and preserved safety compared with conventional prescription omega-3 fatty acid. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of icosabutate 600 mg once daily in patients with very high TGs. METHODS: After a 6-8 week run-in period, men and women with TG levels ≥ 500 mg/dL and ≤ 1500 mg/dL were randomized to double-blind treatment with placebo or icosabutate 600 mg for 12 weeks. The primary end point was % change from baseline in TGs at 12 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 87 subjects were randomized. At baseline, median TG (interquartile range) levels were 611 (543-878) and 688 (596-892) mg/dL, and the median change after 12 weeks of treatment was -51% and -17%, respectively, for a placebo-corrected change of -33% (P < .001). Adjusted for placebo, icosabutate significantly reduced very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-36%, P < .001), remnant lipoprotein cholesterol (-34%, P < .001), apolipoprotein (Apo) C-III (-35%, P < .001), trended toward reduced non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-7%, P = .064); significantly increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (18%, P < .001) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (28%, P < .001), with a trend of an increased lipoprotein (a; 10%, P = .054). No changes were observed in total cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, or apolipoprotein A1. Fasting plasma glucose was unchanged, whereas fasting plasma insulin was reduced (P = .001) with icosabutate. Icosabutate was generally well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Treatment with icosabutate once daily significantly reduced TG, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and Apo C-III levels in patients with very high TG levels. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01893515.

Effects of omega-3 carboxylic acids on lipoprotein particles and other cardiovascular risk markers in high-risk statin-treated patients with residual hypertriglyceridemia: a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the effects of a mixture of highly bioavailable omega-3 carboxylic acids (OM3-CA) on nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy-assessed lipoprotein particle concentrations and sizes and other cardiovascular risk markers in statin-treated patients with fasting triglycerides (TG) ≥ 2.3 mmol/L (200 mg/dL) and <5.6 mmol/L (500 mg/dL) and at high cardiovascular risk. METHODS: After a diet lead-in and statin-stabilization period, 647 patients were randomly assigned to receive capsules of control (olive oil, OO) 4 g/d, OM3-CA 2 g/d (plus OO 2 g/d), or OM3-CA 4 g/d for 6 weeks. RESULTS: Compared with OO, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size was increased with OM3-CA 2 g/d (p < 0.01) and 4 g/d (p < 0.001), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particle sizes were decreased with both OM3-CA dosages vs. OO (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05 for VLDL and HDL, respectively). Total VLDL/chylomicron remnant particle concentration was reduced by 8.5 and 16.0 % with OM3-CA 2 and 4 g/d, respectively, vs. a 6.9 % reduction with OO (p < 0.001 for OM3-CA 4 g/d vs. OO). Total HDL particle concentration was also reduced by 1.5 and 3.2 % with OM3-CA 2 and 4 g/d, respectively, vs. a 0.6 % increase with OO (at least p < 0.05 for both comparisons). Changes in total LDL particle concentration were not significantly different for OO vs. OM3-CA at either dosage. Apolipoprotein (Apo) CIII levels decreased by 7.6 and 13.1 % with OM3-CA 2 and 4 g/d, respectively, vs. 3.2 % with OO (p < 0.001 for OM3-CA 4 g/d vs. OO). Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) mass was reduced by 6.2 and 10.7 % with OM3-CA 2 and 4 g/d, respectively, vs. a 0.1 % increase with OO (p < 0.001 for both vs. OO). There were no significant differences between treatments in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein responses. CONCLUSION: OM3-CA were associated with shifts in lipoprotein particle sizes and concentrations, and reductions in Apo CIII and Lp-PLA2, in patients with hypertriglyceridemia while taking a statin. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01408303.

A highly bioavailable omega-3 free fatty acid formulation improves the cardiovascular risk profile in high-risk, statin-treated patients with residual hypertriglyceridemia (the ESPRIT trial).

BACKGROUND: A novel omega-3 formulation in free fatty acid form (OM3-FFA) has as much as 4-fold greater bioavailability than ethyl ester forms and reduces triglyceride (TG) levels in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of adding OM3-FFA (2 or 4 g/d) to statin therapy for lowering non-HDL-C and TG levels in subjects with persistent hypertriglyceridemia and at high risk for cardiovascular disease. METHODS: In this double-blind, parallel-group study, 647 diet-stable patients with fasting TG levels ≥ 200 mg/dL and <500 mg/dL (treated with a maximally tolerated dose of statin or statin with ezetimibe) and at high risk for cardiovascular disease were randomized to 6 weeks of treatment with capsules of control (olive oil [OO]) 4 g/d, OM3-FFA 2 g/d (plus 2 g/d OO), or OM3-FFA 4 g/d. Assessments included fasting serum levels of lipids and apolipoproteins (apo); plasma concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, and arachidonic acid; and laboratory safety values and adverse events. RESULTS: In the 627 subjects in the intention to treat sample, non-HDL-C levels were reduced with OM3-FFA 2 g/d and OM3-FFA 4 g/d (-3.9% and -6.9%, respectively) compared with OO (-0.9%) (both, P < 0.05), as were TG levels (-14.6% and -20.6%, respectively, vs -5.9%; both, P < 0.001). LDL-C levels increased with OM3-FFA 2 g/d (4.6%) compared with OO (1.1%) (P = 0.025) but not with OM3-FFA 4 g/d (1.3%). Total cholesterol and VLDL-C concentrations were reduced compared with OO with both OM3-FFA dosages, and the total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio and apo AI and apo B levels were significantly lowered with OM3-FFA 4 g/d only (all at least P < 0.05). Percent changes from baseline in HDL-C did not differ between OO and either OM3-FFA group. Plasma concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosapentaenoic acid were significantly increased and arachidonic acid was significantly reduced in both OM3-FFA treatment groups compared with the OO responses (all, P < 0.001). Withdrawals related to treatment-emergent adverse events ranged from 0.9% with OO to 3.2% with OM3-FFA 4 g/d. CONCLUSIONS: OM3-FFA was well tolerated and lowered non-HDL-C and TG levels at both 2- and 4-g/d dosages in patients with persistent hypertriglyceridemia taking a statin, with the 4-g/d dosage providing incremental improvements compared with 2 g/d.

Regulatory considerations in the development of high-density lipoprotein therapies.

The development of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) therapies has experienced a recent setback with the notable termination of clinical development of torcetrapib, a cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitor. Potentially because of off-target actions of torcetrapib, surrogate biomarkers intended to elucidate the impact of the drug on atherosclerosis provided an uninterpretable picture of actual effects. This experience has regulatory implications for HDL-raising therapeutics. Future programs will likely be required to provide preapproval hard evidence of effects on the natural history of disease.

Biomarkers in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis: need, validation, and future.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the developed world, and there is a clear need to develop novel therapeutic strategies to reduce cardiovascular risk further than is currently possible. Traditionally, the effectiveness of new cardiovascular drugs has been evaluated in clinical trials using cardiovascular outcomes as endpoints. However, such trials require large numbers of patients followed over long periods of time. Clinical trials using surrogate markers for CVD may be shorter in duration and involve fewer participants. Measurement of atherosclerotic progression is an ideal surrogate marker as it is predictive of future cardiovascular events. The "gold standard" for detecting and defining the severity, extent, and rate of atherosclerotic progression has been quantitative coronary angiography. However, this technique has fundamental limitations. More recently, measurement of carotid intima-media thickness using B-mode ultrasound and measurement of atheroma volume using intravascular ultrasound have emerged as more accurate techniques for detecting atherosclerotic progression. Both of these techniques have potential utility as surrogate endpoints in place of cardiovascular outcomes in clinical trials. Their use might facilitate the more rapid development of novel, safe, and effective therapies.

Fixed combination drugs for cardiovascular disease risk reduction: regulatory approach.

The use of combination drug therapy for cardiovascular (CV) disease risk reduction is the established approach to multiple risk factor reduction. The spectrum of rational combination products in CV disease prevention and treatment alone is extremely broad. Development of fixed-dose combination drug products requires information beyond that needed for approval of single active ingredient products. Establishing the rationale and target populations for novel combinations, as well as the contributions of the component drugs to the claimed effects, and characterizing the pharmacokinetics, the pharmacodynamics, and clinical safety and efficacy of the combination are all necessary to support approval.