An alternative to statins that lowers levels of ‘bad cholesterol’ by up to two-thirds is being developed.
The drug, called AMG 145, is currently only being tested in an injectable form but scientists hope to be able to make it available as a pill in the future.
It works by helping the body use up ‘bad’ low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol at a faster rate than normal, clearing blood vessels of the substance. By contrast, statins work by slowing production of LDL.
A trial of 631 patients with high cholesterol who were already on statins found a fortnightly jab of a 145mg dose lowered their LDL levels by 66 per cent after 12 weeks, compared to those given a placebo.
In absolute terms, LDL cholesterol fell by just over 2.0 mmol per litre.
Dr Robert Giugliano, from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, said: “The observed reductions in LDL cholesterol are extraordinary, especially when one considers that they are seen on top of statin therapy.”
Results of the study, published in The Lancet, showed no serious side effects, although such problems often only come to light during larger trials or even when licensed.
Cholesterol
Dr Marc Sabatine, senior study author, said: “These data are very exciting and may offer a new paradigm for LDL cholesterol reduction. The next step will be a large-scale, long-term cardiovascular outcomes trial.”
Professor Jeremy Pearson, associate medical director of the British Heart Foundation, said the drug had the potential to provide “a substantial further gain” in terms of cholesterol reduction.
A recent Oxford University study found that for every 1.0mmol/L drop in LDL cholesterol, the chance of a serious event like a heart attack or stroke drops by 20 to 25 per cent, he noted.
He said the drug and others similar to it were being developed with the aim of better treating those with extremely high cholesterol who were at very high risk of heart attack or stroke.
“Clearly for them this could be a very useful treatment that could prolong life substantially,” he said.
However, while only injectable he said it was of limited use for most on statins. Some five million Britons take the drugs and some scientists believe all over 50s should be on them.
If possible to turn AMG 145 into a pill, Prof Pearson said it then be used either in addition to statins or as an alternative to them.
But he said at this stage it was impossible to say if the side effect profile would be better or worse than statins.
Serious side effects from statins occurred in less than one in 10,000 people, Oxford research has shown. The most noticeable effect is muscle weakness. Many more complain of general muscle aches though.
