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  • Title: Impact of evolocumab treatment on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemic patients withdrawing from regular apheresis.
    Author: Kawashiri MA, Nohara A, Higashikata T, Tada H, Nakanishi C, Okada H, Konno T, Sakata K, Hayashi K, Inazu A, Mabuchi H, Yamagishi M.
    Journal: Atherosclerosis; 2017 Oct; 265():225-230. PubMed ID: 28926730.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis has been used to treat refractory hyperlipidemia such as familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Evolocumab, a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor used in clinical settings, can reduce LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels by >70%. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impact of evolocumab on withdrawal from regular LDL apheresis in patients with heterozygous FH (HeFH). METHODS: Eleven patients with HeFH undergoing biweekly LDL apheresis were enrolled and were subsequently switched to a biweekly subcutaneous injection of 140 mg of evolocumab. The primary endpoints were percent changes in mean LDL-C and apolipoprotein B (apoB) serum levels, which were averages of two different time point measurements, due to the switch in the treatment method. RESULTS: The mean LDL-C and apoB serum levels significantly reduced from 2.55 ± 0.62 mmol/L to 0.96 ± 0.40 mmol/L (-62.5%, p < 0.0001) and from 82.8 ± 12.3 mg/dL to 45.4 ± 10.9 mg/dL (-45.2%, p < 0.0001), respectively. Serum lipoprotein (a) levels also significantly reduced from 148 (116-351) mg/L to 91 (53-289) mg/L (-38.5%, p < 0.01). The reduction in LDL-C and apoB levels was not associated with the basal serum levels of PCSK9 or cholesterol production/absorption markers. Although evolocumab significantly reduced serum vitamin E levels, they were still within the normal range, and no subjective or objective side effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to biweekly LDL apheresis, biweekly evolocumab injection therapy is less expensive, less invasive, less time-consuming, and more effective in reducing atherogenic lipoprotein levels without severe adverse side effects.
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