Lp(a) drug reduces cardiac risk marker but not adverse cardiac events

CHICAGO — Lipoprotein(a), a genetic risk factor for cardiovascular disease carried by 1 in 5 people, is the target of new treatments aimed at reducing heart attacks, strokes and death in those at risk. The growing field of research on this particle was hit earlier this year when initial results showed that an experimental drug reduced Lp(a), but failed to reduce serious outcomes.

More details about the study, funded by Novartis, were revealed Saturday at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions and published simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine.

In the phase 3 trial, the drug pelacarsen significantly reduced Lp(a), a mixture of lipids and proteins that, at high levels, can increase the risk of serious heart problems. But despite lower Lp(a), the HORIZON trial showed no difference in heart attacks, strokes, urgent coronary revascularization or death in participants followed for almost five years and randomly selected to take the drug or a placebo.