Genotyping-guided approach versus the conventional approach in selection of oral P2Y12 receptor blockers in Chinese patients suffering from acute coronary syndrome

Impact of CYP2C19 Genotype Status on Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Symptomatic Coronary Artery Disease, Stroke, and Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Clopidogrel is widely used for the secondary prevention of atherothrombotic events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), ischemic stroke, and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). CYP2C19 plays a pivotal role in the conversion of clopidogrel to its active metabolite. Clopidogrel-treated carriers of a CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele (LOF) may have a higher risk of new atherothrombotic events. Previous studies on genotype-guided treatment were mainly performed in CAD and showed mixed results.

PURPOSE

To simultaneously investigate the impact of CYP2C19 genotype status on the rate of atherothrombotic events in the most common types of atherosclerotic disease (CAD, stroke, PAD).

METHODS

A comprehensive search in Pubmed, EMBASE, and MEDLINE from their inception to July 23rd 2023 was performed. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing genotype-guided and standard antithrombotic treatment, and cohort studies and post hoc analyses of RCTs concerning the association between CYP2C19 genotype status and clinical outcomes in clopidogrel-treated patients were included. The primary efficacy endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and the safety end point major bleeding. Secondary endpoints were myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, and ischemic stroke.

RESULTS

Forty-four studies were identified: 11 studies on CAD, 29 studies on stroke, and 4 studies on PAD. In CAD, genotype-guided therapy significantly reduced the risk of MACE [risk ratio (RR) 0.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.43-0.83], myocardial infarction (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.42-0.68), and stent thrombosis (RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.43-0.94), compared with standard antithrombotic treatment. The rate of major bleeding did not differ significantly (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.70-1.23). Most RCTs were performed in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (9/11). In stroke, LOF carriers had a significantly higher risk of MACE (RR 1.61, 95% CI 1.25-2.08) and recurrent ischemic stroke (RR 1.89, 95% CI 1.48-2.40) compared with non-carriers. No significant differences were found in major bleeding (RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.43-1.89). In the 6955 patients with symptomatic PAD treated with clopidogrel in the EUCLID trial, no differences in MACE or major bleeding were found between LOF carriers and non-carriers. In three smaller studies on patients with PAD treated with clopidogrel after endovascular therapy, CYP2C19 genotype status was significantly associated with atherothrombotic events.

CONCLUSIONS

Genotype-guided treatment significantly decreased the rate of atherothrombotic events in patients with CAD, especially after PCI. In patients with history of stroke, LOF carriers treated with clopidogrel had a higher risk of MACE and recurrent stroke. The available evidence in PAD with regard to major adverse limb events is too limited to draw meaningful conclusions.

REGISTRATION

PROSPERO identifier no. CRD42020220284.

Antiplatelet Therapy Aims and Strategies in Asian Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome or Stable Coronary Artery Disease

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) has been the mainstay treatment to reduce ischemic events, such as myocardial infarction or stroke, in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The development of potent P2Y12 inhibitors (ticagrelor and prasugrel) has helped to further reduce ischemic events, particularly among high-risk patients. Meanwhile, the evolution of newer generations of drug-eluting stents are also improving outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention. Research studies on antiplatelet therapy in recent years have focused on balancing ischemic and bleeding risks through different strategies, which include P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy, escalation and de-escalation, and extended DAPT. Because results from the large number of clinical studies may sometimes appear conflicting, this review aims to summarize recent advances, and demonstrate that they are aligned by a general principle, namely, strategies may be adopted based on treatment aims for specific patients at several time points. Another aim of this review is to outline the important considerations for using antiplatelet therapy in Asian patients, in whom there is a greater prevalence of CYP2C19 loss-of-function mutations, and a common increased risk of bleeding, despite high platelet reactivity (the so-called "East Asian Paradox").

The developmental journey of therapies targeting purine receptors: from basic science to clinical trials

Since the discovery of ATP as an extracellular signalling molecule in 1972, purinergic signalling, mediated by extracellular purines and pyrimidines has been identified in virtually all mammalian tissues and is implicated in regulating fundamental cellular processes. In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on the pathophysiology and potential therapeutic interventions based on purinergic signalling. A vast range of compounds targeting purine receptors are in clinical development, and many more are in preclinical studies, which highlights the fast growth in this research field. As a tribute to Professor Geoffrey Burnstock's legacy in purinergic signalling, we present here a brief review of compounds targeting purine receptors that are in different stages of clinical trials. The review highlights the 50-year journey from basic research on purinergic receptors to clinical applications of therapies targeting purine receptors.

Clopidogrel versus Ticagrelor in CYP2C19 Loss-of-Function Allele Noncarriers: A Real-World Study in China

OBJECTIVE

 This article compares the clinical outcomes of clopidogrel and ticagrelor in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) without cytochrome P450 (CYP)2C19 loss-of-function (LOF) alleles and investigates whether clopidogrel could be an alternative P2Y12 inhibitor without increasing the risk of ischemic events.

METHODS

 Patients were divided into the clopidogrel-treated group and the ticagrelor-treated group. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) calculated by propensity scores was used to adjust confounding covariates. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) within 12 months. The secondary outcomes were MACCEs plus unstable angina, and clinically significant bleeding events.

RESULTS

 Finally, 2,199 patients were included. Of them, 1,606 were treated with clopidogrel, and 593 were treated with ticagrelor. The mean age of the original cohort was 59.92 ± 9.81 years. During the 12-month follow-up period, MACCEs occurred in 89 patients (4.0%). No significant differences were observed in MACCEs (IPTW-adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.65-1.18), MACCEs plus unstable angina (IPTW-adjusted HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.91-1.59), or clinically significant bleeding events (IPTW-adjusted HR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.53-1.23) between the clopidogrel- and ticagrelor-treated groups.

CONCLUSION

 In patients with ACS without CYP2C19 LOF alleles, clopidogrel was not associated with a higher risk of MACCEs when compared with ticagrelor. The main findings of this study support use of clopidogrel in CYP2C19 LOF noncarriers as an alternative P2Y12 inhibitor, which may reduce medical expenses and adverse reactions caused by more potent P2Y12 inhibitors in these patients.

Personalized Antiplatelet Therapy Based on CYP2C19 Genotypes in Chinese ACS Patients Undergoing PCI: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: The clinical benefits of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19 genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy in Asians remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of pharmacogenomic antiplatelet therapy in Chinese patients. Methods: Patients with acute coronary syndrome planning to undergo percutaneous coronary intervention were eligible for this study and were randomly divided into a genotype-guided treatment (GT) group and routine treatment (RT) group, with a ratio of 2:1. Patients in the GT group underwent CYP2C19 genotyping (*2 and *3 alleles), and the results were considered in selecting P2Y12 receptor inhibitors. Patients in the RT group were treated with P2Y12 receptor inhibitors according to their clinical characteristics. The primary endpoint was a composite of major adverse cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events (MACCE). The secondary endpoint was significant bleeding events. Results: Finally, 301 patients were enrolled; 75.1% were men and the mean age was 59.7 ± 9.8 years. In total, 281 patients completed the follow-up procedure. The primary endpoint occurred in 16 patients, 6 patients in the GT group and 10 in the RT group. The GT group showed lower MACCE rates than the RT group (6/189 vs. 10/92, 3.2 vs. 10.9%, hazard ratio: 0.281, 95% confidence interval: 0.102-0.773, P = 0.009). There was no statistically difference in significant bleeding events between the GT and RT groups (4.2 vs. 3.3%, hazard ratio: 1.315, 95% confidence interval: 0.349-4.956, P = 0.685). Conclusion: Personalized antiplatelet therapy that is based on CYP2C19 genotypes could decrease MACCE within a 12-month period in Chinese patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Clinical Trial Registration: http://www.chictr.org.cn, identifier: ChiCTR2000034352.

Genotype-guided antiplatelet treatment versus conventional therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

This meta-analysis was carried out to explore if a personalized antiplatelet strategy based on genotyping is superior to conventional therapy.

METHODS

PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library were searched from the inception of each database to 5 May 2020. Studies reporting endpoints in genotype-guided treatment group and conventional treatment group were included. The endpoint results were presented as the risk ratio (RR), with 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

A total of 10 561 patients from 16 studies (eight randomized controlled trials [RCT] and eight cohort studies) were included in the meta-analysis. The rates of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), stent thrombosis and myocardial infarction (MI) were significantly lower in the genotype-guided group than in the conventional treatment group (RR 0.56, 95% CI 0.44-0.73, P < .0001; RR 0.40, 95% CI 0.24-0.67, P = .0005; RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.35-0.58, P < .00001, respectively). A significant difference was found between the two groups in major bleeding (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.55-0.98, P = .04), which was not robust after sensitivity analysis.

CONCLUSION

Genotype-guided antiplatelet treatment could decrease the risk of MACE, stent thrombosis and MI in patients with coronary artery disease or undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, without increasing the risk of bleeding over a long follow-up period. The decreased risk of efficacy outcomes was more obvious in cohort studies. Well-organized RCTs and clinical trials are required to verify the benefit of genotype-guided therapy.

Potential Therapeutic Applications of P2 Receptor Antagonists: From Bench to Clinical Trials

BACKGROUND

Extracellular purines and pyrimidines have important physiological functions in mammals. Purines and pyrimidines act on P1 and P2 purinergic receptors, which are widely expressed in the plasma membrane in various cell types. P2 receptors act as important therapeutic targets and are associated with several disorders, such as pain, neurodegeneration, cancer, inflammation, and thrombosis. However, the use of antagonists for P2 receptors in clinical therapy, with the exception of P2Y12, is a great challenge. Currently, many research groups and pharmaceutical companies are working on the development of specific antagonist molecules for each receptor subtype that could be used as new medicines to treat their respective disorders.

OBJECTIVE

The present review compiles some interesting findings on the application of P2 receptor antagonists in different in vitro and in vivo experimental models as well as the progress of advanced clinical trials with these compounds.

CONCLUSION

Despite all of the exciting results obtained on the bench, few antagonists of P2 receptors advanced to the clinical trials, and once they reach this stage, the effectiveness of the therapy is not guaranteed, as in the example of P2X7 antagonists. Despite this, P2Y12 receptor antagonists have a history of success and have been used in therapy for at least two decades to prevent thrombosis in patients at risk for myocardial infarctions. This breakthrough is the motivation for scientists to develop new drugs with antagonistic activity for the other P2 receptors; thus, in a matter of years, we will have an evolution in the field of purinergic therapy.

Clinical Utility of CYP2C19 Genotype-Guided Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients at Risk of Adverse Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events: A Review of Emerging Evidence

In patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the standard of care is dual antiplatelet therapy with a P2Y₁₂ inhibitor (clopidogrel, prasugrel, or ticagrelor) and aspirin. Current clinical practice guidelines now recommend more potent P2Y₁₂ inhibitors (prasugrel or ticagrelor) over clopidogrel in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, clopidogrel remains the most commonly prescribed P2Y₁₂ inhibitor in the setting of PCI and is also the preferred agent in the treatment and secondary prevention of stroke. Clopidogrel is a prodrug that requires bioactivation by the CYP2C19 enzyme. It has been shown that clopidogrel use in patients who are CYP2C19 no function allele carriers are associated with impaired antiplatelet inhibition and a higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. Compared to clopidogrel, prasugrel and ticagrelor clinical response is not impacted by CYP2C19 genotype. Even with a demonstrated increased risk of adverse outcomes in CYP2C19 no function allele carriers treated with clopidogrel, routine implementation of CYP2C19 genotyping to guide antiplatelet therapy selection has remained controversial and has not been widely adopted. Recent results from multiple prospective randomized and nonrandomized clinical trials investigating the use of CYP2C19 genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy following PCI have advanced the evidence base demonstrating the clinical utility of this strategy. Multiple recent studies have examined the effects of CYP2C19 genotype on clopidogrel outcomes in the setting of stroke and neurointerventional procedures. In this review, we discern the clinical utility of using CYP2C19 genotype testing to guide antiplatelet therapy prescribing by evaluating the impact of CYP2C19 genotype-guided selection of antiplatelet therapy on clinical outcomes, summarizing emerging data from cardiovascular and neurology clinical studies, and discussing implications for clinical practice guidelines, remaining knowledge gaps and future research directions.

The efficacy and safety of CYP2C19 genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy compared with conventional antiplatelet therapy in patients with acute coronary syndrome or undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19 genotype is closely associated with the metabolism and efficacy of clopidogrel, thereby having an important impact on clinical outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CYP2C19 genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy in patients with ACS or undergoing PCI. PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and clinicaltrials.gov were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing CYP2C19 genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy with conventional therapy in patients with ACS or undergoing PCI. Eight RCTs involving 6708 patients were included in this meta-analysis. CYP2C19 genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy was slightly superior to the conventional antiplatelet therapy in reducing the risk of MACE [RR(95%CI): 0.71(0.51-0.98), p = .04]. Meanwhile, the genotype-guided therapy group had significantly lower incidence of myocardial infarction [RR(95%CI): 0.56(0.40-0.78), p < .01], but similar risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, stent thrombosis, urgent revascularization and stroke compared to the conventional therapy group. Incidences of major/minor bleeding and major bleeding were comparable between the two groups. In patients with ACS or undergoing PCI, CYP2C19 genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy displayed benefit over conventional antiplatelet therapy in reducing the risk of MACE and myocardial infarction, without increasing bleeding risk. Further RCTs are needed to provide more evidences for CYP2C19 genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy.

Genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy compared with standard therapy for patients with acute coronary syndromes or undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To determine, in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) or undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the effectiveness and safety between personalized P2Y12 inhibitors treatment based on genotypes and standard treatment.

METHODS

We systematically searched for articles from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and Web of science from their inception to March 4, 2020, with no language restrictions. The search was performed to identify all randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in which genotype-guided versus standard treatment with P2Y12 inhibitors among patients with ACS or those undergoing PCI. The primary clinical outcomes were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) including death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, stent thrombosis (ST), and targeted vessel revascularization (TVR). The secondary outcomes were high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR) and safety outcomes including major bleeding events.

RESULTS

A total of 4859 patients from 7 RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. There were 2430 patients (50.01%) allocated to the genotype-guided group and 2429 (49.99%) allocated to the standard group. Pooled result showed that compared with the standard treatment group, the genotype-guided group had a significantly lower risk of HTPR (Risk Ratio [RR]: 0.35, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.14-0.83, P = 0.02, I² = 58%), MI (RR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.36-0.74, P = 0.0004, I² = 0%) and ST (RR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.17-0.98, P = 0.05, I² = 0%). No significant difference was found between two groups for the risk of death (RR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.54-1.12, P = 0.18, I² = 34%), stroke (RR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.35-1.30, P = 0.24, I² = 0%), TVR (RR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.46-1.50, P = 0.54, I² = 0%) and major bleeding events (RR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.60-1.15, P = 0.25, I² = 0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Genotype-guided antiplatelet treatment could reduce the risk of HTPR, MI and ST compared with standard therapy in patients with ACS or undergoing PCI, and no significant difference was found between two groups in the major bleeding events.

CYP2C19*17 May Increase the Risk of Death Among Patients with an Acute Coronary Syndrome and Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation Who Receive Clopidogrel and Rivaroxaban

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study is to assess the influence of gene CYP2C19, CYP3A4, CYP3A5 and ABCB1 polymorphisms on clopidogrel antiplatelet activity, rivaroxaban concentration equilibrium, and clinical outcomes among patients with acute coronary syndrome and non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

METHODS

In the multicenter prospective registry study of the efficacy and safety of a combined antithrombotic therapy 103 patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation both undergoing or not a percutaneous coronary intervention were enrolled. The trial assessed the primary outcomes (major bleeding, in-hospital death, cardiovascular death, stroke\transient ischaemic attack, death/renal insufficiency) and secondary outcomes (platelet reactivity units (PRU), rivaroxaban concentration).

RESULTS

For none of the clinical outcomes when combined with other covariates, the carriership of polymorphisms CYP3A5*3 rs776746, CYP2C19*2 rs4244285;*17 rs12248560, ABCB1 3435 C>T, ABCB1 rs4148738 was significant. None of the markers under study (CYP3A5*3 rs776746, CYP2C19*2 rs4244285, *17 rs12248560, ABCB1 3435 C>T, ABCB1 rs4148738) has proven to affect rivaroxaban equilibrium concentration in blood plasma among patients with atrial fibrillation and acute coronary syndrome.

CONCLUSION

In situations of double or triple antithrombotic rivaroxaban and clopidogrel therapy among patients with atrial fibrillation and acute coronary syndrome, the genetic factors associated with bleeding complications risk (CYP2C19*17) may prove to be clinically relevant.

Personalized antiplatelet therapy in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: A network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of genotype- and phenotype-guided intensified antiplatelet therapy compared with conventional therapy in patients undergoing stent implantation.

BACKGROUND

Although potent P2Y₁₂ receptor inhibitors are recommended for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-treated acute coronary syndrome, their usage is limited by a high bleeding risk. Therefore, personalized antiplatelet therapy could provide a valuable foundation for selection of antiplatelet therapy in this population.

METHODS

We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis for all randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that evaluated genotype- and/or phenotype-guided therapy in PCI-treated coronary artery disease.

RESULTS

Thirteen RCTs were included with a total of 6,845 patients. The results showed no significant differences in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) between the treatment options ((genotype guided vs. standard of care; OR 0.64; 95% CI: 0.38-1.05) and (phenotype vs. standard of care; OR 0.93; 95% CI: 0.54-1.37)). In addition, no significant differences were demonstrated in bleeding events ((genotype guided vs. standard of care; OR 0.73; 95% CI: 0.45-1.25) and (phenotype vs. standard of care; OR 0.90; 95% CI: 0.62-1.39)).

CONCLUSIONS

In this mixed treatment meta-analysis of RCTs, neither genotype- nor phenotype-guided antiplatelet therapy in patients with PCI-treated coronary artery disease was superior to conventional therapy.

YINGLONG: A Multicenter, Prospective, Non-Interventional Study Evaluating the Safety and Tolerability of Ticagrelor in Chinese Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

INTRODUCTION

Ticagrelor is an oral, reversible, direct-acting P2Y12 receptor inhibitor approved for the prevention of cardiovascular events in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). In China, drug intensive monitoring regulations for new drugs require additional safety data post-approval.

METHODS

YINGLONG, a single-arm, phase-IV, 1-year, non-interventional study, described the safety of ticagrelor 90 mg twice daily in Chinese patients (≥ 18 years) with ACS treated with ≥ 1 dose of ticagrelor. Primary outcomes were the incidence of adverse events (AEs), in particular, PLATelet inhibition and patient Outcomes (PLATO)-defined bleeding AEs, and other serious AEs during the 1-year follow-up. Key secondary outcomes were the incidence of major cardiovascular events.

RESULTS

Patients (n = 1041, median age 61.0 years) had started ticagrelor and had post-dose data. Median duration of ticagrelor treatment was 357 days; 577 patients (55.4%) completed 1-year ticagrelor treatment; 973 patients (93.5%) completed 1-year follow-up. Overall, 38.7% of patients reported an AE during treatment. The most common AEs were dyspnea (n = 37, 3.6%), petechiae (n = 30, 2.9%), and chest discomfort (n = 28, 2.7%). Serious AEs, excluding bleeding, were reported in 9.8% of patients during treatment. Incidence of PLATO-defined major bleeding events was 1.1% (n = 11). Of the 21 deaths that occurred during the study (8 post-treatment), 1 was a fatal bleed. Major cardiovascular events were reported in 37 patients (3.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

Ticagrelor was well tolerated with a low rate of PLATO-defined major bleeding events in Chinese ACS patients. Safety results were consistent with the known ticagrelor profile.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT02430493.

FUNDING

AstraZeneca Investment (China) Co., Ltd.

Pharmacogenetics in the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases and Its Current Progress Regarding Implementation in the Clinical Routine

There is a special interest in the implementation of pharmacogenetics in clinical practice, although there are some barriers that are preventing this integration. A large part of these pharmacogenetic tests are focused on drugs used in oncology and psychiatry fields and for antiviral drugs. However, the scientific evidence is also high for other drugs used in other medical areas, for example, in cardiology. In this article, we discuss the evidence and guidelines currently available on pharmacogenetics for clopidogrel, warfarin, acenocoumarol, and simvastatin and its implementation in daily clinical practice.

Clinical outcomes of CYP2C19 genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy: existing evidence and future directions

It is well established that the CYP2C19 nonfunctional *2 and *3 polymorphisms impair the bioactivation and antiplatelet effects of clopidogrel, and increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular events following percutaneous coronary intervention. In contrast, CYP2C19 genotype does not impact clinical response to prasugrel or ticagrelor. Recent studies have evaluated the impact of CYP2C19 genotype-guided selection of antiplatelet therapy on clinical outcomes and begun to close some of the gaps in knowledge and uncertainty that have impeded widespread clinical implementation of this precision medicine approach. This review will critically evaluate recent data and offer new insight into the potential clinical utility of genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy in the context of current clinical practice guidelines.

Safety and Incidence of Cardiovascular Events in Chinese Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome Treated with Ticagrelor: the 12-Month, Phase IV, Multicenter, Single-Arm DAYU Study

PURPOSE

Ticagrelor is an orally administered, reversibly binding, direct-acting P2Y12 receptor antagonist previously evaluated in several phase III trials. This phase IV, multicenter, single-arm trial assessed the safety and incidence of cardiovascular (CV) events with ticagrelor in Chinese patients experiencing an acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

METHODS

Patients hospitalized with an ACS received ticagrelor (180 mg loading dose, 90 mg twice daily thereafter) plus low-dose aspirin (75-100 mg/day) for up to 12 months. Safety was evaluated via PLATO-defined bleeding events, adverse events (AEs), serious AEs, and laboratory measurements. The incidence of major CV events was also evaluated.

RESULTS

The safety population included 2001 patients. During ticagrelor treatment, 426 (21.3%) patients had at least one PLATO-defined bleeding AE, mainly minimal bleedings (n = 333). Major bleeding events occurred in 27 (1.3%) patients, including fatal/life-threatening bleeding in 17 (0.8%) patients and other major bleeding in 11 (0.5%) patients, with a Kaplan-Meier estimate of patients with the event (95% CI) of 1.6% (1.1-2.3%). In total, 784 (39.2%) patients had at least one non-bleeding AE, the majority of which were mild in severity. The composite endpoint of CV death, myocardial infarction, and stroke occurred in 83 (4.1%) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Ticagrelor plus low-dose aspirin for up to 1 year was associated with a low rate of major bleeding events and a low incidence of major CV events (CV death, myocardial infarction, stroke) in Chinese patients with ACS. The overall safety profile of ticagrelor in this population was in line with current prescribing information.