Praluent (alirokumab)

Summary

PCSK9 inhibitors (inhibitors of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) offer a promising treatment strategy decreasing the concentrations of both atherogenic low density lipoprotein (LDL) and cholesterol contained within LDL. Alirocumab is one of two PCSK9 inhibitors that entered clinical practice so far. Alirocumab is a specific antibody against PCSK9, manufactured using recombinant technique. When the antibody binds to the PCSK9 isoenzyme, no complex encompassing PCSK9 and LDL receptor can be formed, thus enabling further recirculation of the LDL receptor. Increasing the amount of LDL receptors available on the cell membranes leads to higher internalization of LDL within cells and to lowering of LDL cholesterol concentration. It has been shown that alirocumab exerts favorable effect on atherogenic lipoproteins (i.e. decrease of concentrations of LDL cholesterol by more than 50%) both in monotherapy and in combination with statins or other hypolipidemics. Odyssey Outcomes study brought new information into light and changed the guidelines of treating the patients with cardivascular diseases. Alirokumab added to intensive statin therapy reduced significantly the risk of cardiovascular diseases and the post hoc analysis confirmed also the reduction of total death rate. The positive effect of alirocumab is higher in patients with higher initial LDL-C. The therapy with alirokumab is safe, with minimum adverse events.

Keywords:

alirocumab – cardiovascular risk – hypolipidemics – PCSK9 inhibitors – LDL – Odyssey Outcomes