Lp(a)-Lowering Agents in Development: A New Era in Tackling the Burden of Cardiovascular Risk?
Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] has been recognized as an independent, inherited, causal risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and aortic valve stenosis, thus representing a major target of residual CV risk. Currently, no drug has been officially approved for lowering Lp(a) levels,...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| author | Niki Katsiki Michal Vrablik Maciej Banach Ioanna Gouni-Berthold |
| author_facet | Niki Katsiki Michal Vrablik Maciej Banach Ioanna Gouni-Berthold |
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| description | Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] has been recognized as an independent, inherited, causal risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and aortic valve stenosis, thus representing a major target of residual CV risk. Currently, no drug has been officially approved for lowering Lp(a) levels, and in clinical practice, Lp(a) is mainly used to (re)define CV risk, particularly in individuals at borderline CV risk and people with a family history of premature coronary heart disease, according to various guidelines. Specific Lp(a)-targeted antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) agents have been developed to produce substantial Lp(a) reductions via the inhibition of apo(a) synthesis in the liver. These drugs are conjugated to <i>N</i>-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) to ensure their binding to asialoglycoproteins, which are specifically expressed on the surface of the hepatocytes. Such drugs include pelacarsen (an injectable ASO) and olpasiran, zerlasiran, and lepodisiran (injectable siRNA agents). Muvalaplin represents another therapeutic option to lower Lp(a) levels, since it is an oral selective small molecule inhibitor of Lp(a) formation, thus potentially exerting certain advantages in terms of its clinical use. The present narrative review summarizes the available clinical data on the efficacy and safety of these investigational Lp(a)-lowering therapies, as reported in phase 1 and 2 trials. The effects of these drugs on other [aside from Lp(a)] lipid parameters are also discussed. The phase 3 CV trial outcomes are ongoing for some of these agents (i.e., pelacarsen, olpasiran, and lepodisiran) and are briefly mentioned. Overall, there is an urgent need for evidence-based guidelines on Lp(a) reduction in daily clinical practice, following the results of the phase 3 CV trials, as well as for establishing the ideal Lp(a) quantification method (i.e., using an apo(a) isoform-independent assay with appropriate calibrators, reporting the Lp(a) level in molar units). |
| format | Article |
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| institution | OA Journals |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-fa0dfbc7564d41449c08378cd9bf20a12025-08-20T01:56:41ZengMDPI AGPharmaceuticals1424-82472025-05-0118575310.3390/ph18050753Lp(a)-Lowering Agents in Development: A New Era in Tackling the Burden of Cardiovascular Risk?Niki Katsiki0Michal Vrablik1Maciej Banach2Ioanna Gouni-Berthold3Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, GreeceThird Department of Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, 12800 Prague, Czech RepublicDepartment of Preventive Cardiology and Lipidology, Medical University of Lodz and Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital Research Institute, 93-338 Lodz, PolandCenter for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50923 Cologne, GermanyLipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] has been recognized as an independent, inherited, causal risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and aortic valve stenosis, thus representing a major target of residual CV risk. Currently, no drug has been officially approved for lowering Lp(a) levels, and in clinical practice, Lp(a) is mainly used to (re)define CV risk, particularly in individuals at borderline CV risk and people with a family history of premature coronary heart disease, according to various guidelines. Specific Lp(a)-targeted antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) agents have been developed to produce substantial Lp(a) reductions via the inhibition of apo(a) synthesis in the liver. These drugs are conjugated to <i>N</i>-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) to ensure their binding to asialoglycoproteins, which are specifically expressed on the surface of the hepatocytes. Such drugs include pelacarsen (an injectable ASO) and olpasiran, zerlasiran, and lepodisiran (injectable siRNA agents). Muvalaplin represents another therapeutic option to lower Lp(a) levels, since it is an oral selective small molecule inhibitor of Lp(a) formation, thus potentially exerting certain advantages in terms of its clinical use. The present narrative review summarizes the available clinical data on the efficacy and safety of these investigational Lp(a)-lowering therapies, as reported in phase 1 and 2 trials. The effects of these drugs on other [aside from Lp(a)] lipid parameters are also discussed. The phase 3 CV trial outcomes are ongoing for some of these agents (i.e., pelacarsen, olpasiran, and lepodisiran) and are briefly mentioned. Overall, there is an urgent need for evidence-based guidelines on Lp(a) reduction in daily clinical practice, following the results of the phase 3 CV trials, as well as for establishing the ideal Lp(a) quantification method (i.e., using an apo(a) isoform-independent assay with appropriate calibrators, reporting the Lp(a) level in molar units).https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/5/753lipoprotein (a)pelacarsenolpasiranzerlasiranlepodisiranmuvalaplin |
| spellingShingle | Niki Katsiki Michal Vrablik Maciej Banach Ioanna Gouni-Berthold Lp(a)-Lowering Agents in Development: A New Era in Tackling the Burden of Cardiovascular Risk? Pharmaceuticals lipoprotein (a) pelacarsen olpasiran zerlasiran lepodisiran muvalaplin |
| title | Lp(a)-Lowering Agents in Development: A New Era in Tackling the Burden of Cardiovascular Risk? |
| title_full | Lp(a)-Lowering Agents in Development: A New Era in Tackling the Burden of Cardiovascular Risk? |
| title_fullStr | Lp(a)-Lowering Agents in Development: A New Era in Tackling the Burden of Cardiovascular Risk? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lp(a)-Lowering Agents in Development: A New Era in Tackling the Burden of Cardiovascular Risk? |
| title_short | Lp(a)-Lowering Agents in Development: A New Era in Tackling the Burden of Cardiovascular Risk? |
| title_sort | lp a lowering agents in development a new era in tackling the burden of cardiovascular risk |
| topic | lipoprotein (a) pelacarsen olpasiran zerlasiran lepodisiran muvalaplin |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/5/753 |
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