23-05-2018 | PCSK9 inhibitors | Article
Efficacy and Safety of Alirocumab in Individuals with Diabetes Mellitus: Pooled Analyses from Five Placebo-Controlled Phase 3 Studies
Journal: Diabetes Therapy
Authors: Henry N. Ginsberg, Michel Farnier, Jennifer G. Robinson, Christopher P. Cannon, Naveed Sattar, Marie T. Baccara-Dinet, Alexia Letierce, Maja Bujas-Bobanovic, Michael J. Louie, Helen M. Colhoun
Publisher: Springer Healthcare
Abstract
Introduction
Diabetes mellitus (DM) carries an elevated risk for cardiovascular disease. Here, we assessed alirocumab efficacy and safety in people with/without DM from five placebo-controlled phase 3 studies.
Methods
Data from up to 78 weeks were analyzed in individuals on maximally tolerated background statin. In three studies, alirocumab 75 mg every 2 weeks (Q2W) was increased to 150 mg Q2W at week 12 if week 8 low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was ≥ 70 mg/dL; two studies used alirocumab 150 mg Q2W throughout. The primary endpoint was percentage change in LDL-C from baseline to week 24.
Results
In the alirocumab 150 mg pool (n = 2416), baseline LDL-C levels were 117.4 mg/dL (DM) and 130.6 mg/dL (without DM), and in the 75/150 mg pool (n = 1043) 112.8 mg/dL (DM) and 133.0 mg/dL (without DM). In the 150 mg Q2W group, week 24 LDL-C reductions from baseline were observed in persons with DM (− 59.9%; placebo, − 1.4%) and without DM (− 60.6%; placebo, + 1.5%); 77.7% (DM) and 76.8% (without DM) of subjects achieved LDL-C < 70 mg/dL. In the alirocumab 75/150 mg group, 26% (DM) and 36% (without DM) of subjects received dose increase. In this group, week 24 LDL-C levels changed from baseline by − 43.8% (DM; placebo, + 0.3%) and − 49.7% (without DM; placebo, + 5.1%); LDL-C < 70 mg/dL was achieved by 68.3% and 65.8% of individuals, respectively. At week 24, alirocumab was also associated with improved levels of other lipids. Adverse event rates were generally comparable in all groups (79.8–82.0%).
Conclusions
Regardless of DM status, alirocumab significantly reduced LDL-C levels; safety was generally similar.
Funding
Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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