Long-term efficacy of lipoprotein apheresis in the management of familial hypercholesterolaemia: Application of two different apheresis techniques in childhood

Clinical practice recommendations on lipoprotein apheresis for children with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia: An expert consensus statement from ERKNet and ESPN

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia is a life-threatening genetic condition, which causes extremely elevated LDL-C levels and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease very early in life. It is vital to start effective lipid-lowering treatment from diagnosis onwards. Even with dietary and current multimodal pharmaceutical lipid-lowering therapies, LDL-C treatment goals cannot be achieved in many children. Lipoprotein apheresis is an extracorporeal lipid-lowering treatment, which is used for decades, lowering serum LDL-C levels by more than 70% directly after the treatment. Data on the use of lipoprotein apheresis in children with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia mainly consists of case-reports and case-series, precluding strong evidence-based guidelines. We present a consensus statement on lipoprotein apheresis in children based on the current available evidence and opinions from experts in lipoprotein apheresis from over the world. It comprises practical statements regarding the indication, methods, treatment goals and follow-up of lipoprotein apheresis in children with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia and on the role of lipoprotein(a) and liver transplantation.

Clinical practice recommendations on lipoprotein apheresis for children with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: an expert consensus statement from ERKNet and ESPN

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia is a life-threatening genetic condition, which causes extremely elevated LDL-C levels and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease very early in life. It is vital to start effective lipid-lowering treatment from diagnosis onwards. Even with dietary and current multimodal pharmaceutical lipid-lowering therapies, LDL-C treatment goals cannot be achieved in many children. Lipoprotein apheresis is an extracorporeal lipid-lowering treatment, which is well established since three decades, lowering serum LDL-C levels by more than 70% per session. Data on the use of lipoprotein apheresis in children with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia mainly consists of case-reports and case-series, precluding strong evidence-based guidelines. We present a consensus statement on lipoprotein apheresis in children based on the current available evidence and opinions from experts in lipoprotein apheresis from over the world. It comprises practical statements regarding the indication, methods, treatment targets and follow-up of lipoprotein apheresis in children with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia and on the role of lipoprotein(a) and liver transplantation.

EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF LOMITAPIDE IN HOMOZYGOUS FAMILIAL HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA: THE PAN-EUROPEAN RETROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

BACKGROUND

Lomitapide is a lipid-lowering agent indicated as adjunct therapy for adult HoFH.

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated the medium-term effectiveness and safety of lomitapide in a large cohort of HoFH patients in Europe.

METHODS

In a multicenter retrospective, observational study including 75 HoFH patients treated with lomitapide in a real-world clinical setting from 9 European countries, LDL-C changes, adverse events (AEs) as well as major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were assessed.

RESULTS

After a median 19 months (IQR 11-41 months) of treatment with a mean dosage of 20 mg of lomitapide. LDL-C decreased by 60%, from baseline 280.5 mg/dL (191.8-405.0 mg/dl) to 121.6 mg/dl (61.0-190.5 mg/dl). At the last visit, 32.0% of patients achieved LDL-C < 100mg/dL and 18.7% <70 mg/dL. At baseline, 38 HoFH patients were receiving LDL apheresis (LA), but after initiation of lomitapide 36.8% of patients discontinued LA. During follow-up, lomitapide was permanently interrupted in 13% of patients. Gastrointestinal (GI) AEs occurred in 40% and liver transaminases increased (3-5 x ULN) in 13% of patients. Among patients with liver ultrasound evaluation (n = 45), a modest increase in hepatic steatosis was noted during treatment; however liver stiffness measured by elastography in 30 of them remained within the normal range. Among HoFH patients exposed to lomitapide for at least 2 years, MACE incident rate was 7.4 per 1000 person-years in the 2 years after as compared to 21.2 per 1000 person-years before treatment with lomitapide.

CONCLUSIONS

In this medium-term real-world experience, lomitapide proved to be very effective in reducing LDL-C in HoFH. GI AEs were common, but liver safety was reassuring with no sign of increased risk of liver fibrosis. A signal of cardiovascular protection was also observed.

Just not cosmesis! Role of low-density lipoprotein apheresis in familial hypercholesterolemia: Experience at a newly developed tertiary care institution in Northern India

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is characterized by an increase in plasma low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. It presents with tendon/skin xanthomas and premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The most available treatment options for FH are lipid-lowering medications such as statins, lifestyle modification, and LDL apheresis. As per American Society for Apheresis guidelines 2019, the treatment of FH using LDL apheresis falls under Category I. Here, we are reporting an interesting case of a young patient who presented with chief complaints of progressively increasing yellowish lesions around eyes, neck, hands, and legs. She was thoroughly investigated and was diagnosed provisionally as a case of Type 2 FH. Her total serum cholesterol and LDL-C were 717.2 mg/dl and 690.6 mg/dl, respectively, at presentation. One cycle of LDL apheresis was planned for her. We found immediate post-procedural reduction of 55.8% and 55.3% for total serum and LDL cholesterol levels respectively while 70.58% and 77.41% reduction in the levels from the day of presentation to the hospital.

The efficacy of double filtration plasmapheresis in the treatment of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: A single-center experience

INTRODUCTION

Different modalities of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis are used to treat patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). The aim of this study was to describe the efficacy of the Double Filtration Plasmapheresis (DFPP) method for FH cases in our hands and to compare with other LDL apheresis techniques.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study was conducted between January 2016 and January 2018 in the University of Health Sciences, Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Adult Hematology Clinic and Therapeutic Apheresis Unit. The study included 5 patients with a diagnosis of homozygous FH. A total of 288 DFFP procedures were performed twice a month (every 15 days) for 2 years.

RESULTS

The percentage reductions in Lipoprotein A, total cholesterol, Low Density Lipoprotein-C, High Density Lipoprotein-C and triglyceride levels were found to be 84%, 69.2%, 69.8%, 58.8% and 50.1% respectively (5 cases, n = 288). No cardiac event occurred after the initiation of LA with DFPP.

CONCLUSION

DFPP is an effective and safe LA method that can be used in the treatment of homozygous FH patients who do not respond to diet and statin therapy.