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Kronenberg F. Lipoprotein(a): from Causality to Treatment. Curr Atheroscler Rep 2024; 26:75-82. [PMID: 38252372 PMCID: PMC10881767 DOI: 10.1007/s11883-024-01187-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This paper reviews the evidence why lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is a causal risk factor for cardiovascular disease and how high Lp(a) concentrations should be managed now and with an outlook to the future. REVIEW FINDINGS No optimal and widely available animal models exist to study the causality of the association between Lp(a) and cardiovascular disease. This has been a major handicap for the entire field. However, genetic studies turned the page. Already in the early 1990s, the principle of Mendelian randomization studies was applied for the first time ever (even if they were not named so at that time). Genetic variants of the LPA gene such as the apolipoprotein(a) isoform size, the number and sum of kringle IV repeats and later single nucleotide polymorphisms are strongly associated with life-long exposure to high Lp(a) concentrations as well as cardiovascular outcomes. This evidence provided a basis for the development of specific Lp(a)-lowering drugs that are currently in clinical testing phase. Lp(a) is one of the most important genetically determined risk factors for cardiovascular disease. With the specific Lp(a)-lowering therapies, we might get tools to fight this common risk factor in case the outcome trials will be positive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Kronenberg
- Institute of Genetic Epidemiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Schöpfstrasse 41, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
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Reijnders E, van der Laarse A, Ruhaak LR, Cobbaert CM. Closing the gaps in patient management of dyslipidemia: stepping into cardiovascular precision diagnostics with apolipoprotein profiling. Clin Proteomics 2024; 21:19. [PMID: 38429638 PMCID: PMC10908091 DOI: 10.1186/s12014-024-09465-w] [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: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
In persons with dyslipidemia, a high residual risk of cardiovascular disease remains despite lipid lowering therapy. Current cardiovascular risk prediction mainly focuses on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels, neglecting other contributing risk factors. Moreover, the efficacy of LDL-c lowering by statins resulting in reduced cardiovascular risk is only partially effective. Secondly, from a metrological viewpoint LDL-c falls short as a reliable measurand. Both direct and calculated LDL-c tests produce inaccurate test results at the low end under aggressive lipid lowering therapy. As LDL-c tests underperform both clinically and metrologically, there is an urging need for molecularly defined biomarkers. Over the years, apolipoproteins have emerged as promising biomarkers in the context of cardiovascular disease as they are the functional workhorses in lipid metabolism. Among these, apolipoprotein B (ApoB), present on all atherogenic lipoprotein particles, has demonstrated to clinically outperform LDL-c. Other apolipoproteins, such as Apo(a) - the characteristic apolipoprotein of the emerging risk factor lipoprotein(a) -, and ApoC-III - an inhibitor of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein clearance -, have attracted attention as well. To support personalized medicine, we need to move to molecularly defined risk markers, like the apolipoproteins. Molecularly defined diagnosis and molecularly targeted therapy require molecularly measured biomarkers. This review provides a summary of the scientific validity and (patho)physiological role of nine serum apolipoproteins, Apo(a), ApoB, ApoC-I, ApoC-II, ApoC-III, ApoE and its phenotypes, ApoA-I, ApoA-II, and ApoA-IV, in lipid metabolism, their association with cardiovascular disease, and their potential as cardiovascular risk markers when measured in a multiplex apolipoprotein panel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Reijnders
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Arnoud van der Laarse
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - L Renee Ruhaak
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Christa M Cobbaert
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Cicero AFG, Fogacci F, Giovannini M, Grandi E, D’Addato S, Borghi C. Estimating the Prevalence and Characteristics of Patients Potentially Eligible for Lipoprotein(a)-Lowering Therapies in a Real-World Setting. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3289. [PMID: 38137510 PMCID: PMC10741849 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11123289] [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: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
High lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) plasma levels are significantly associated with an increased risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD). The aim of this analysis was to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of patients potentially eligible for Lp(a)-lowering therapies in a real-world setting (i.e., patients with ASCVD and Lp(a) levels > 70 mg/dL). For this reason, we pooled data from a large cohort of Italian outpatients (N = 5961; men: 2879, women: 3982) with dyslipidemia. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the significant predictors of ASCVD in the cohort, which were age (Odds Ratio (OR): 1.158, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.114 to 1.203, p < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol at entry (OR: 1.989, 95% CI: 1.080 to 1.198, p = 0.020) and Lp(a) (OR: 1.090, 95% CI: 1.074 to 1.107, p < 0.001). In our cohort, almost half of patients with ASCVD (44.7%) may be eligible to be treated with Lp(a)-lowering agents. Interestingly, patients who do not meet the treatment criteria despite high Lp(a) (50-70 mg/dL), respectively, account for 4.7% and 7.3% of those in primary and secondary ASCVD prevention. In conclusion, in our large cohort of outpatients with dyslipidemia, the prevalence of individuals with ASCVD and very high Lp(a) plasma levels is quite high, even with a conservative estimation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arrigo F. G. Cicero
- Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk Factors Research Centre, Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40100 Bologna, Italy; (A.F.G.C.); (M.G.); (E.G.); (S.D.); (C.B.)
- Cardiovascular Medicine Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Federica Fogacci
- Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk Factors Research Centre, Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40100 Bologna, Italy; (A.F.G.C.); (M.G.); (E.G.); (S.D.); (C.B.)
- Cardiovascular Medicine Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Marina Giovannini
- Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk Factors Research Centre, Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40100 Bologna, Italy; (A.F.G.C.); (M.G.); (E.G.); (S.D.); (C.B.)
| | - Elisa Grandi
- Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk Factors Research Centre, Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40100 Bologna, Italy; (A.F.G.C.); (M.G.); (E.G.); (S.D.); (C.B.)
- Cardiovascular Medicine Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Sergio D’Addato
- Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk Factors Research Centre, Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40100 Bologna, Italy; (A.F.G.C.); (M.G.); (E.G.); (S.D.); (C.B.)
- Cardiovascular Medicine Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudio Borghi
- Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk Factors Research Centre, Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40100 Bologna, Italy; (A.F.G.C.); (M.G.); (E.G.); (S.D.); (C.B.)
- Cardiovascular Medicine Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
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Carugo S, Sirtori CR, Gelpi G, Corsini A, Tokgozoglu L, Ruscica M. Updates in Small Interfering RNA for the Treatment of Dyslipidemias. Curr Atheroscler Rep 2023; 25:805-817. [PMID: 37792132 PMCID: PMC10618314 DOI: 10.1007/s11883-023-01156-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is still the leading cause of death worldwide. Despite excellent pharmacological approaches, clinical registries consistently show that many people with dyslipidemia do not achieve optimal management, and many of them are treated with low-intensity lipid-lowering therapies. Beyond the well-known association between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and cardiovascular prevention, the atherogenicity of lipoprotein(a) and the impact of triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins cannot be overlooked. Within this landscape, the use of RNA-based therapies can help the treatment of difficult to target lipid disorders. RECENT FINDINGS The safety and efficacy of LDL-C lowering with the siRNA inclisiran has been documented in the open-label ORION-3 trial, with a follow-up of 4 years. While the outcome trial is pending, a pooled analysis of ORION-9, ORION-10, and ORION-11 has shown the potential of inclisiran to reduce composite major adverse cardiovascular events. Concerning lipoprotein(a), data of OCEAN(a)-DOSE trial with olpasiran show a dose-dependent drop in lipoprotein(a) levels with an optimal pharmacodynamic profile when administered every 12 weeks. Concerning TG lowering, although ARO-APOC3 and ARO-ANG3 are effective to lower apolipoprotein(apo)C-III and angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3) levels, these drugs are still in their infancy. In the era moving toward a personalized risk management, the use of siRNA represents a blossoming armamentarium to tackle dyslipidaemias for ASCVD risk reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Carugo
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Dyspnea Lab, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Diseases - Foundation IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - C R Sirtori
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - G Gelpi
- Department of Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Diseases - Foundation IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - A Corsini
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - L Tokgozoglu
- Department of Cardiology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - M Ruscica
- Department of Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Diseases - Foundation IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
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Fogacci F, Di Micoli V, Avagimyan A, Giovannini M, Imbalzano E, Cicero AFG. Assessment of Apolipoprotein(a) Isoform Size Using Phenotypic and Genotypic Methods. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13886. [PMID: 37762189 PMCID: PMC10531419 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Apolipoprotein(a) (apo(a)) is the protein component that defines lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) particles and is encoded by the LPA gene. The apo(a) is extremely heterogeneous in size due to the copy number variations in the kringle-IV type 2 (KIV2) domains. In this review, we aim to discuss the role of genetics in establishing Lp(a) as a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) by examining a series of molecular biology techniques aimed at identifying the best strategy for a possible application in clinical research and practice, according to the current gold standard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Fogacci
- Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk Research Center, Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (F.F.); (V.D.M.); (M.G.)
| | - Valentina Di Micoli
- Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk Research Center, Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (F.F.); (V.D.M.); (M.G.)
| | - Ashot Avagimyan
- Pathological Anatomy Department, Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan 0025, Armenia;
| | - Marina Giovannini
- Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk Research Center, Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (F.F.); (V.D.M.); (M.G.)
| | - Egidio Imbalzano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Arrigo F. G. Cicero
- Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk Research Center, Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (F.F.); (V.D.M.); (M.G.)
- Cardiovascular Medicine Unit, Heart, Thoracic and Vascular Department, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40100 Bologna, Italy
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