1
|
Noseda R, Bedussi F, Panchaud A, Ceschi A. Safety of Monoclonal Antibodies Inhibiting PCSK9 in Pregnancy: Disproportionality Analysis in VigiBase®. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2024; 116:346-350. [PMID: 38637956 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.3269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Safety data on the use of monoclonal antibodies inhibiting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 in pregnancy are scarce. This study queried VigiBase®, the World Health Organization global pharmacovigilance database, to search for signals of disproportionate reporting for pregnancy outcomes with alirocumab and evolocumab. As of November 22, 2023, there were 45 safety reports of exposure to evolocumab (N = 31) and alirocumab (N = 14) in pregnancy. Most of them originated from Europe (N = 25, 55.6%) and were more frequently reported by healthcare professionals (N = 35, 77.8%). Median patient age was 37 years (25th-75th percentiles; 32-41 years). Drug exposure occurred during pregnancy in 36 (80.0%) safety reports, via paternal exposure during pregnancy in four (8.9%), during lactation in three (6.7%), and in two safety reports the time of drug exposure remained unknown. Twenty safety reports (57.8%) merely reported drug exposure, while 19 (42.2%) also reported pregnancy outcomes, however, without specific maternal toxicities or patterns of birth defects. Spontaneous abortion was reported in eight safety reports without representing a signal of disproportionate reporting compared with either the full database (reporting odds ratio, ROR, 0.06 95% confidence interval, CI 0.03-0.12) or statins (ROR 0.16, 95% CI 0.08-0.32). In conclusion, this study showed that, currently, there are no signals of increased reporting of spontaneous abortion with alirocumab and evolocumab compared with the full database and statins in VigiBase®. Notwithstanding, lack of disproportionality is not synonymous with safety and, as disproportionality analyses depend on the number of safety reports that progressively accumulate in VigiBase®, they should be repeated at regular intervals to confirm the results of the present study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Noseda
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacological Sciences of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Francesca Bedussi
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacological Sciences of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Alice Panchaud
- Service of Pharmacy, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Alessandro Ceschi
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacological Sciences of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland
- Clinical Trial Unit, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lewek J, Bielecka-Dąbrowa A, Toth PP, Banach M. Dyslipidaemia management in pregnant patients: a 2024 update. EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL OPEN 2024; 4:oeae032. [PMID: 38784103 PMCID: PMC11114474 DOI: 10.1093/ehjopen/oeae032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Over several decades, the approach to treating dyslipidaemias during pregnancy remains essentially unchanged. The lack of advancement in this field is mostly related to the fact that we lack clinical trials of pregnant patients both with available as well as new therapies. While there are numerous novel therapies developed for non-pregnant patients, there are still many limitations in dyslipidaemia treatment during pregnancy. Besides pharmacotherapy and careful clinical assessment, the initiation of behavioural modifications as well as pre-conception management is very important. Among the various lipid-lowering medications, bile acid sequestrants are the only ones officially approved for treating dyslipidaemia in pregnancy. Ezetimibe and fenofibrate can be considered if their benefits outweigh potential risks. Statins are still considered contraindicated, primarily due to animal studies and human case reports. However, recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses as well as data on familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) in pregnant patients have indicated that their use may not be harmful and could even be beneficial in certain selected cases. This is especially relevant for pregnant patients at very high cardiovascular risk, such as those who have already experienced an acute cardiovascular event or have homozygous or severe forms of heterozygous FH. In these cases, the decision to continue therapy during pregnancy should weigh the potential risks of discontinuation. Bempedoic acid, olezarsen, evinacumab, evolocumab and alirocumab, and inclisiran are options to consider just before and after pregnancy is completed. In conclusion, decisions regarding lipid-lowering therapy for pregnant patients should be personalized. Despite the challenges in designing and conducting studies in pregnant women, there is a strong need to establish the safety and efficacy of dyslipidaemia treatment during pregnancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Lewek
- Department of Preventive Cardiology and Lipidology, Medical University of Lodz (MUL), Rzgowska 281/289, 93-338 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Cardiology and Congenital Diseases of Adults, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital Research Institute (PMMHRI), Rzgowska 281/289, 93-338 Lodz, Poland
| | - Agata Bielecka-Dąbrowa
- Department of Preventive Cardiology and Lipidology, Medical University of Lodz (MUL), Rzgowska 281/289, 93-338 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Cardiology and Congenital Diseases of Adults, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital Research Institute (PMMHRI), Rzgowska 281/289, 93-338 Lodz, Poland
| | - Peter P Toth
- The Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe St, Carnegie 591, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Maciej Banach
- Department of Preventive Cardiology and Lipidology, Medical University of Lodz (MUL), Rzgowska 281/289, 93-338 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Cardiology and Congenital Diseases of Adults, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital Research Institute (PMMHRI), Rzgowska 281/289, 93-338 Lodz, Poland
- The Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe St, Carnegie 591, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Centre, Zyty 28, 65-417 Zielona Góra, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wu T, Shi Y, Zhu B, Li D, Li Z, Zhao Z, Zhang Y. Pregnancy-related adverse events associated with statins: a real-world pharmacovigilance study of the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Expert Opin Drug Saf 2024; 23:313-321. [PMID: 37612600 DOI: 10.1080/14740338.2023.2251888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Statins, previously rated as pregnancy category X agents, were contraindicated during pregnancy due to the teratogenic effects observed in animal studies. However, it is still controversial whether statins have detrimental impact on pregnant women or not, and some studies even suggest a potential benefit of statin use against pregnancy complications. The aim of this study was to explore whether maternal exposure to statins is associated with increased rates of pregnancy-related adverse events (AEs), including abortion, abortion spontaneous, preterm birth, low birth weight, stillbirth/fetal death, and fetal complications. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Data from 1 January 2004 to 30 June 2022 were extracted through the U.S. FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database, to conduct disproportionality analysis and Bayesian analysis by reporting odds ratio (ROR) and Bayesian confidence propagation neural network (BCPNN) algorithms. To identify the potential risks of pregnancy-related AEs, each statin was compared to all the other drugs, all the other statins, and the reference drugs (fenofibrate and evolocumab). RESULTS A total of 477 cases involving pregnancy-related AEs associated with stains were submitted to the FAERS database by healthcare professionals. No obvious disproportionate association of abortion, abortion spontaneous, or stillbirth/fetal death was identified for all statins during gestation. In comparison with all the other drugs, lovastatin showed an increased risk of fetal complications (ROR = 2.45, 95% CI, 1.22-4.95; IC025 = 0.63), and pravastatin demonstrated increased risks of preterm birth (ROR = 4.89, 95% CI, 3.65-6.54; IC025 = 1.69) and low birth weight (ROR = 9.60, 95% CI, 5.56-16.56; IC025 = 1.88). Similar results were found when compared lovastatin or pravastatin with fenofibrate. Furthermore, statins were associated with higher proportion of fetal complications and preterm birth when comparing with evolocumab. CONCLUSIONS Statins did not increase the risk of pregnancy-related AEs, including abortion, abortion spontaneous, or stillbirth/fetal death. However, we did find significant disproportionality signals for preterm birth and low birth weight associated with pravastatin, and lovastatin was related to a higher proportion of fetal complications. The results in this study may provide evidence on the safety of statins during pregnancy, which need to be verified in further investigations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tingxi Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanfeng Shi
- Center of excellence for Omics Research, National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Dandan Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhe Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhigang Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and New Drug Delivery Systems, State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Nangrahary M, Graham DF, Pang J, Barnett W, Watts GF. Familial hypercholesterolaemia in pregnancy: Australian case series and review. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2023. [PMID: 36883608 DOI: 10.1111/ajo.13657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is associated with a significant increase in the risk of premature coronary artery disease. Pregnancy is likely a vulnerable time for atherosclerosis progression, with a physiological rise in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) further exaggerated by the discontinuation of cholesterol-lowering therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective review was undertaken of 13 women with familial hypercholesterolemia who were managed during pregnancy between 2007 and 2021 by a multidisciplinary team following individualised risk assessment. RESULTS Overall, pregnancy outcomes were good, with no maternal or fetal complications, including congenital abnormalities, maternal cardiac events or hypertensive complications. Loss of statin treatment time ranged between 12 months and 3.5 years resulting from the accumulation of the preconception, pregnancy and lactation periods and was magnified in women having more than one pregnancy. Of seven women treated with cholestyramine, one developed abnormal liver function with an elevated international normalisation ratio which was corrected with vitamin K. CONCLUSION Pregnancy is associated with prolonged cessation of cholesterol-lowering therapy, a concern with respect to the risk of coronary artery disease in FH. Continuation of statin therapy up to conception and even during pregnancy in patients at higher risk of cardiovascular disease may be justified, especially with increasing evidence supporting the safety of statin therapy during pregnancy. However, more long-term maternal and fetal data are required for the routine use of statins during pregnancy. Guideline-informed models of care covering family planning and pregnancy should be implemented for all women with FH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary Nangrahary
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Department of Cardiology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Dorothy F Graham
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jing Pang
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Department of Cardiology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Wendy Barnett
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Gerald F Watts
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Department of Cardiology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lewek J, Banach M. Dyslipidemia Management in Pregnancy: Why Is It not Covered in the Guidelines? Curr Atheroscler Rep 2022; 24:547-556. [PMID: 35499807 DOI: 10.1007/s11883-022-01030-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Despite the elevation of lipid values during pregnancy is mostly physiological, evidence suggest that it may be associated with adverse events. This article reviews the characteristics of lipid disorders and the possible management with dyslipidemia in pregnant women. RECENT FINDINGS Among many available groups of lipid-lowering drugs, only bile acid sequestrants are approved for the treatment of dyslipidemia during pregnancy. Ezetimibe and fenofibrate might be considered if benefits outweigh the potential risk. Statins are still contraindicated due to the results mainly from animal studies and series of human cases. However, recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses showed that their use may not be detrimental, and in some selected cases may be beneficial. Especially, in some groups of pregnant patients with very high cardiovascular risk-those already after an event, or with established cardiovascular disease, with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia; in such cases the final decision should weight the potential risk of discontinuation of therapy. Finally, we need to wait for the data with new drugs, including PCSK9 inhibitors and especially inclisiran, which (still hypothetically) might be a very interesting option as it may be used just before the pregnancy and immediately after with the duration of about 9 months between injections. The decisions on lipid-lowering therapy in pregnant patients should be individualized. Despite design and ethical difficulties with such studies, further investigations on dyslipidemia treatment during pregnancy are highly awaited.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Lewek
- Department of Preventive Cardiology and Lipidology, Chair of Nephrology and Hypertension, Medical University of Lodz, Rzgowska 281/289, 93-228, Lodz, Poland.,Department of Cardiology and Adult Congenital Heart Diseases, Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital Research Institute (PMMHRI), Lodz, Poland
| | - Maciej Banach
- Department of Preventive Cardiology and Lipidology, Chair of Nephrology and Hypertension, Medical University of Lodz, Rzgowska 281/289, 93-228, Lodz, Poland. .,Department of Cardiology and Adult Congenital Heart Diseases, Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital Research Institute (PMMHRI), Lodz, Poland. .,Cardiovascular Research Centre, Zielona Góra, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To highlight quandaries and review options for the management of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) during pregnancy. RECENT FINDINGS Women with FH face barriers to effective care and consequently face significant disease related long term morbidity and mortality.Pregnancy includes major maternal physiological changes resulting in exacerbation of maternal hypercholesterolemia compounded by the current practice of cessation or reduction in the dose of lipid-lowering therapy during pregnancy and lactation that may impact short and long term cardiac morbidity and mortality. Although lipoprotein apheresis is the treatment of choice for high- risk FH patients, reassuring safety evidence for the use of statins during pregnancy is mounting rapidly. However, it will be some time before subtle effects on the development of the offspring can be definitively excluded. Women with homozygous FH or with an established atherosclerotic vessel or aortic disease should be offered therapy with statins during pregnancy if lipoprotein apheresis is not readily available. Pregnancy outcomes tend to be favourable in women with FH. We have reviewed the currently available evidence regarding the risks and benefits of treatment options for FH during pregnancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dorothy F Graham
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Frederick J Raal
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|