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Journal article

Impact of apolipoprotein(a) isoform size on lipoprotein(a) lowering in the HPS2-THRIVE study

Abstract:

Background

Genetic studies have shown lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) to be an important causal risk factor for coronary disease. Apolipoprotein(a) isoform size is the chief determinant of Lp(a) levels, but its impact on the benefits of therapies that lower Lp(a) remains unclear.

Methods

HPS2-THRIVE (Heart Protection Study 2–Treatment of HDL to Reduce the Incidence of Vascular Events) is a randomized trial of niacin–laropiprant versus placebo on a background of simvastatin therapy. Plasma Lp(a) levels at baseline and 1 year post-randomization were measured in 3978 participants from the United Kingdom and China. Apolipoprotein(a) isoform size, estimated by the number of kringle IV domains, was measured by agarose gel electrophoresis and the predominantly expressed isoform identified.

Results

Allocation to niacin–laropiprant reduced mean Lp(a) by 12 (SE, 1) nmol/L overall and 34 (6) nmol/L in the top quintile by baseline Lp(a) level (Lp[a] ≥128 nmol/L). The mean proportional reduction in Lp(a) with niacin–laropiprant was 31% but varied strongly with predominant apolipoprotein(a) isoform size (PTrend=4×10−29) and was only 18% in the quintile with the highest baseline Lp(a) level and low isoform size. Estimates from genetic studies suggest that these Lp(a) reductions during the short term of the trial might yield proportional reductions in coronary risk of ≈2% overall and 6% in the top quintile by Lp(a) levels.

Conclusions

Proportional reductions in Lp(a) were dependent on apolipoprotein(a) isoform size. Taking this into account, the likely benefits of niacin–laropiprant on coronary risk through Lp(a) lowering are small. Novel therapies that reduce high Lp(a) levels by at least 80 nmol/L (≈40%) may be needed to produce worthwhile benefits in people at the highest risk because of Lp(a).

Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1161/CIRCGEN.117.001696

Authors


More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
Medical Sciences Division
Department:
Nuffield Dept of Population Health
Sub department:
Clinical Trial Service Unit
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
Medical Sciences Division
Department:
Nuffield Dept of Population Health
Sub department:
Clinical Trial Service Unit
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
Medical Sciences Division
Department:
Nuffield Dept of Population Health
Sub department:
Clinical Trial Service Unit
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
Medical Sciences Division
Department:
Nuffield Dept of Population Health
Sub department:
Clinical Trial Service Unit
Role:
Author



Publisher:
American Heart Association
Journal:
Circulation: Genomic and Precision Medicine More from this journal
Volume:
11
Issue:
2
Pages:
e001696
Publication date:
2018-02-15
Acceptance date:
2017-12-01
DOI:
EISSN:
2574-8300
Pmid:
29449329


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
pubs:826106
UUID:
uuid:0a309f8a-df05-45c7-9208-1ee81cfcc6d8
Local pid:
pubs:826106
Source identifiers:
826106
Deposit date:
2018-11-20

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