A highly anticipated cholesterol drug has failed to prevent heart attacks and strokes despite reducing a major risk marker for heart disease for nearly 8-%, leaving scientists stunned.
The experimental drug called pelacarsen was tested on more than 8,300 patients with existing cardiovascular disease across 42 countries.
According to findings presented at the American Heart Association’s annual conference in Chicago on Saturday, November 7, the drug reduced levels of lipoprotein (a), or Lp(a), by 78%.
However, the reduction did not translate into fewer heart attacks, strokes or cardiovascular deaths.
After nearly five years of follow-up, 12.3% of patients receiving monthly injections of pelacarsen experienced a major cardiovascular event, compared with 12.1% of those given a placebo.
The findings surprised researchers because high Lp(a) levels have long been associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
Unlike ordinary cholesterol, Lp(a) levels are largely determined by genetics and are not significantly reduced through exercise, diet conventional cholesterol treatments.
Around one in five people worldwide have elevated levels of the particle.
Steven Nissen, a cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic who led the research acknowledged that the results were disappointing but cautioned against abandoning efforts to target Lp(a).
The drug, developed by Novartis and Ionis Pharmaceuticals, had previously been considered a possible breakthrough in preventing cardiovascular complications.
However, the latest findings have raised questions about whether lowering Lp(a) alone is enough to protect patients.
Other pharmaceutical companies, including Amgen and Eli Lilly, are developing similar treatments, with further clinical trial results expected in the coming years.Â
