Study finds drug for reducing lipid in patients with hypertriglyceridemia

Hypertriglyceridemia, or high levels of lipids (fats) in the blood, increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and acute pancreatitis. Currently available medications, including statins, fibrates, and prescription omega-3 fatty acids, typically lower triglyceride levels by anywhere from below 10% to up to 40%.

In the study, researchers conducted a randomized trial on 154 adults on lipid-lowering therapy with moderate or severe hypertriglyceridemia to receive either 50mg olezarsen, 80mg olezarsen or placebo. Olezarsen is an antisense oligonucleotide that inhibits APOC3, a gene associated with higher levels of triglycerides, by targeting its mRNA. The subcutaneous medication was administered every four weeks, for a period of a year.

The results showed that olezarsen reduced triglyceride levels by 49% at the 50mg dose and 53% at the 80mg dose, compared with placebo. The experimental drug also reduced apolipoprotein B and non-HDL cholesterol, which are important in plaque formation, by 18 to 18.5% and 23% to 25%, respectively.

“These findings indicate that targeting APOC3 mRNA is a promising new pathway for lowering triglycerides and potentially reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke,” said corresponding author Brian Bergmark, MD, of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Reference: Brian A. Bergmark, M.D., Nicholas A. Marston, M.D., M.P.H., Thomas A. Prohaska, M.D., Ph.D., Veronica J. Alexander, Ph.D., André Zimerman, M.D., Ph.D., Filipe A. Moura, M.D., Ph.D., Sabina A. Murphy, M.P.H., Olezarsen for Hypertriglyceridemia in Patients at High Cardiovascular Risk; Journal: the New England Journal of Medicine; DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2402309