Elevated Lipoprotein(a): Background, Current Insights and Future Potential Therapies

Plain Language Summary

Lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) forms a small fraction of cholesterol profile. It is related to the bad cholesterol (low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL-C) that drives artery narrowing (atherosclerosis) and hence heart attacks, strokes, and large artery disease. It differs from LDL in having an additional protein - apolipoprotein(a) bonded to the particle. This addition changes both the secretion rate and clearance of these particles. Lp(a) levels are mostly inherited with the variation driven by a number of repeats within the apo(a) molecule. The standard treatments for lowering LDL-C such as statins or ezetimibe have little effect on Lp(a) levels. Niacin and proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin-9 (PCSK9) inhibitors reduce Lp(a) but affect other fractions such as LDL-C as well. New specific inhibitors for Lp(a) have been developed and are in early trials.

Figure 1 Distribution of Lp(a) within a density gradient profile compared to other lipid fractions showing the association of the distribution of apolipoprotein E with subfractions of Lp(a).

Figure 2 Relationship of measured Lp(a) levels and an equivalent polygenic risk score with CVD events in the UK Biobank study. Data from Trinder et al. 15

Introduction

A standard lipid profile consists of triglyceride-rich particles (especially post-prandially) and cholesterol-rich particles involved in transportation of lipids to body compartments (low-density lipoprotein; LDL) and those involved in transporting cholesterol back to the liver for disposal through the biliary system (high density lipoprotein; HDL). While these components are responsible for most of the plasma-related risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, other factors contribute including inflammation-related markers (eg, C-reactive protein), coagulation components (eg, fibrinogen or plasminogen), and lipid subfractions. These lipid subfractions include modifications to particle size distribution induced by insulin resistance (eg, small dense LDL) while a small proportion of both triglyceride-rich and LDL particles are distinguished by the covalent addition of apolipoprotein (a) (apo(a)) to apoB₁₀₀ in an LDL-derived particle.

Structure and Genetics

Lp (a) is composed of a single apolipoprotein B₁₀₀ (apoB₁₀₀), covalently linked by a disulfide bond to a single apolipoprotein(a) (apo(a)) allied with associated cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid.^1–3 Apo(a) is encoded by the LPA gene located on chromosome 6q26-27, bears homology to plasminogen and is expressed in hepatocytes. Whereas plasminogen contains 5 kringle (K-I to K-V) and a protease domain, apo(a) contains 10 kringle-IV subtypes (KIV_1–10). Its molecular mass varies between 275–800 kDa due to the more than 40 allelic LPA variants^4–6 with wide differences between ethnic groups.⁷ Whilst a single copy each of K-IV₁ and K-IV_3–10 are present, the number of K-IV₂ copies can range from 1 to more than 40.⁸ Variable glycosylation of K-IV motifs and linker sequences that join individual kringles also contribute to this heterogeneity.⁹ Genetic studies have established that serum Lp(a) levels are predominantly genetically inherited in an autosomal co-dominant manner^2,4 and that the allelic variation of the LPA gene is responsible for the large range (up to 1000-fold) seen in Lp(a) concentrations with concentrations inversely related to the number of KIV₂ repeats.⁸ These repeats are too large and too varied to be clearly differentiated by next generation sequencing techniques with current reading depths. A pentanucleotide¹⁰ and 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs10455872 and rs3798220) predict higher Lp(a) concentrations^11,12 and the risk of premature CVD.^13,14 An intra-genic risk score based on single nucleotide polymorphisms can be used to approximate Lp(a) concentrations and has similar predictive power to Lp(a) levels.¹⁵

Proteomic analysis has been conducted for Lp(a) particles and shows profound differences from LDL particles.¹⁶ In the first analysis 9 proteins were associated with LDL and 31 with Lp(a). 15 proteins were confirmed to be associated with Lp(a). These proteins were involved in negative regulation of peptidase activity, regulation or transport of insulin growth factors, extracellular structure organization, protein processing and binding.¹⁶ Proteins such as transthyretin, vitronectin, paraoxonase-1 and protease inhibitors might be preferentially transported by Lp(a). It is interesting that the genetic study suggesting an interaction of Lp(a) with apoH was not reproduced in this study.¹⁷

Assembly and Metabolism of Lp(a)

The site of Lp (a) assembly is unknown and may occur in hepatocytes, extracellularly in the space of Disse or in the plasma.^18–20 Lp(a) is mostly assembled by addition of apo(a) to a newly synthesized LDL particle rather than added to a triglyceride-rich very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) precursor particle. This assembly is accomplished by forming a covalent disulfide bond between K-IV₉ of apo(a) and apoB₁₀₀ of the LDL. In plasma, Lp(a) exists in 3 subfractions – a triglyceride-rich fraction in VLDL, an apoE-rich apoB-containing particle, and a predominant apoB-containing particle.²¹ (figure 1). The major ApoE polymorphism seems to affect the amount of Lp(a) with apoE4/E4 resulting in a 65% higher level than apoE2/E2.²²

The mechanism of Lp(a) clearance from the plasma has not been fully elucidated.²³ The attachment point for apo(a) is close to the LDL Receptor (LDLR) binding site on apo-B and thus interferes with binding to LDLR leading to reduced clearance and longer plasma half-life of Lp(a) compared to LDL-C. However, LDLR function may be relevant to the clearance of Lp(a) as patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) have higher Lp(a) levels than their unaffected siblings with the effect being dependent on allele dose. Other undefined clearance mechanisms (eg, proteolytic cleavage of apo(a), scavenger receptors including B1 and plasminogen receptors) probably exist for Lp(a).^23,24

Lp(a) is thought to promote atherosclerosis by two main mechanisms.^25,26 The function of Lp(a) is unknown but these particles may be involved in clearance of oxidized phosphocholine phospholipids (OxPL) or their Schiff-based adducts to lysine resides in proteins.²⁷ OxPL have multiple atherogenic and signaling properties.²⁸ Lp(a) infiltrates into the arterial intima, space and binds to components of the extracellular matrix, enhancing macrophage infiltration and smooth muscle proliferation possibly through the effects of OxPL on macrophage function mediated by K-IV₁₀ phospholipid-binding domain, interleukin-8, and the lipid scavenger receptor CD-36 and Toll-like-receptor-2 (TLR2).^29,30 These mechanisms may be relevant to disease, as in the Dallas Heart Study (n=3381), OxPL, apoB, Lp(a) and OxPL/apoB levels differed between racial/ethnic subgroups, with blacks having the highest levels. OxPL/apoB levels correlated with Lp(a) (r=0.85, p<0.001) with the relationship being a “reverse L” shape for log-transformed values but not other CVD risk factors. The correlation was dependent on apo(a) isoform size; and became weaker with larger isoforms. The number of K-IV repeats negatively correlated with OxPL/apoB (r=−0.49, p<0.001) and Lp(a) (r=−0.61, p<0.001) but even after adjustment for apo(a) isoform size, the relationship between OxPL/apoB and Lp(a) remained (r=0.67, p<0.001).³¹

The structural similarity of apo(a) to plasminogen could enhance anti-fibrinolytic effects and have been reported in biochemical studies.²⁵ However, an analysis of Dal-Outcomes study failed to demonstrate any effect of Lp(a) in increasing thrombosis in patients with recent acute coronary syndromes where thrombosis was the main precipitant of events.³²

Lipoprotein turnover studies of lipoprotein particles using labeled amino acids have been conducted for many years for VLDL and LDL. However, the lower concentration of Lp(a) limited the application of these techniques until recently. Leucine-label protein turnover studies of Lp(a) show that plasma levels are dependent on production rate and isoform size³³ and have confirmed the far longer half-life of Lp(a) compared to LDL.³⁴

A lipid turnover study in patients with FH (LDLR or PCSK9 gain-of-function mutations) those with PCSK9 loss-of-function mutations and controls.³⁵ Subjects with PCSK9-loss-of-function mutations displayed reduced apoE concentrations associated with a reduced VLDL-apoE production rate. Lp(a) and VLDL-apoE absolute production rates were correlated (r=0.50; P<0.05) and apoE:apo(a) ratios in Lp(a) increased with plasma Lp(a) (r=0.96; P<0.001) but not with PCSK9 levels. Individuals with loss-of-function variants in PCSK9 (ie, increased LDL receptor expression) show lower concentrations of Lp(a) (63 vs 80nmol/L; p<0.001).³⁶

Epidemiology of Lp(a) and Cardiovascular Disease

Numerous studies have described an association between elevated Lp(a) and CVD independent of LDL-C and other traditional CVD risk factors.^11,12,37 These associations apply to mortality, CVD mortality, and individual vascular bed endpoints³⁷ – myocardial infarction,³⁸ stroke and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in multiple populations mostly of European origin. Two studies of the Danish general population included Lp(a) concentration (n= 69,764), LPA K-IV₂ repeats (n=98,810), and LPA rs10455872 genotype (n=119,094). An Lp(a)>93 mg/dL (199 nmol/L; 96th–100th centiles) compared with <10mg/dL (18 nmol/L; 1st–50th centiles) was associated with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.50 (95% confidence interval 1.28–1.76) for CVD mortality and of 1.20 (1.10–1.30) for all-cause mortality. A 50mg/dL (105 nmol/L) increase in Lp(a) levels had a hazard ratio of 1.16 (1.09–1.23). For stroke, the multivariable-adjusted HR was 1.60 (1.24 to 2.05) and for a 50mg/dl (105 nmol/l) higher Lp(a) the HR was 1.20 (1.13 to 1.28).³⁹ In the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk cohort with 212,981 person-years, Lp(a) levels were associated with PAD and CAD outcomes but not with ischemic stroke with HRs per 2.7-fold increase in Lp(a) of 1.37 (1.25–1.50), 1.13 (1.04–1.22) and 0.91 (0.79–1.03) respectively.⁴⁰ In the Copenhagen General Population Study (CGPS), patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) with Lp(a) levels >50mg/dl had a 1.4-fold HR of MI than those with FH and Lp(a) levels <50mg/dl.⁴¹

A study in UK Biobank in 370,049 individuals showed that a 120nmol/L increase in Lp(a) was associated with an 1.26 (1.23–1.28) excess risk of CVD while an intra-genic genetic risk score of >120 based on 43 single nucleotide polymorphisms gave similar results with an excess risk of 1.29 (1.26–1.33).¹⁵ (figure 2) Area under receiver operator curve (AUROC) was 0.64–0.642 for both methods but would be lower using a precision recall curve (AUPRC) which makes no assumption about balanced numbers in outcome groups.

Meta-analyses of epidemiological studies including the Emerging Risk Factors collaboration (36 studies; n=126,634). In the 24 cohort studies, the risk ratio for CHD (adjusted for age and sex) was 1.16 (1.11–1.22) per 3.5-fold higher Lp(a) concentration (ie, per 1 SD), and 1.13 (1.09–1.18) following further adjustment for lipids and other risk factors. The adjusted risk ratio for stroke was 1.10 (1.02–1.18).³⁷ A plasma concentration of 20mg/dl (50nM) was associated with a 1.5-fold risk elevation while levels exceeding 50mg/dl (125nmol/L) were associated with a 2-fold risk elevation.³⁷

As patients with CVD are now routinely treated with statins, there is increasing interest in the role of factors that drive recurrent events. Long-established data from epidemiological studies such as the Framingham Heart Study have identified age, standard lipid fractions, blood pressure, and diabetes as major predictors of recurrent events.⁴² In a study of 3359 patients from the Atherothrombosis Intervention in Metabolic Syndrome with low HDL/HIGH Triglycerides (AIM-HIGH) trial HRs for CVD events adjusted for age, gender, trial treatment, LDL-C, and other risk factors showed HRs increasing from 1.04 (0.82 to 1.32) to 1.51 (1.25 to 1.84) for Lp(a) 15–30mg/dl up to >70mg/dl (Figure 3.⁴³ A continuous relation for total events was observed (HR=1.08 (1.04 to 1.12)) per 20mg/dL greater Lp(a).

Figure 3 Relationship of increasing levels of Lp(a) within the AIM-HIGH study with CVD events. Lp(a) 0–15nM is taken as the reference group. Reproduced from Wong ND, Zhao Y, Sung J, Browne A. Relation of first and totalrecurrent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events toincreased lipoprotein(a) levels among statin treated adults withcardiovascular disease. Am J Cardiol. 2021;145:12–17. © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.43

Data on the relationship of Lp(a) levels with CVD risk in non-Caucasian populations are scarce and/or underpowered.⁴⁴ The multi-ethnic INTERHEART study of 12,943 subjects reported data from 7 populations showing that Africans (n=775) have the highest Lp(a) concentrations (27mg/dl) and smallest isoform size (median=24 K-IV₂ repeats) while Chinese (n=4443) ethnicity have the lowest concentrations (8mg/dl) and a median of 28 kringle repeats.⁴⁵ Higher Lp(a) concentrations are associated with an increased risk of CVD in all populations but the exact thresholds for different risk levels vary by ethnic group.^13,37 In West Africans, 3 polymorphisms and rare variants seem to account for the change in distribution.⁴⁶

As most Caucasians have minimal Lp(a) concentrations through inheritance of high copy number K-IV alleles, high Lp(a) levels (low copy K-IV number) tend to show an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. Given the association of higher Lp(a) with CVD this suggests that Lp(a) should co-segregate with a family history of premature CVD. The Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities (ARIC) study included 12,149 subjects of average age 54 years, 56% women, 23% black, and 44% with a family history of CVD. Of these, 3114 had CVD events over 21 years of follow-up. Both family history (HR 1.17 (1.09–1.26)) and elevated Lp(a) (HR 1.25 (1.12 to 1.40)) were independently associated with CVD with no interaction (p=0.75).⁴⁷ The highest risk was seen in those with a family history and high Lp(a) (HR: 1.43 (1.27 to 1.62)). Similar findings in ARIC were observed for coronary heart disease (CHD) risk in this study and in another for risk of stroke,⁴⁸ and in analyses stratified by family history of premature CHD, as well as in the Dallas Heart Study cohort which had a higher proportion of African-Americans.⁴⁷ In parallel with observational data from epidemiological studies, Mendelian randomization analyses provide strong evidence that the association between Lp(a) and risk of CVD is likely to be causal.^12,13,38,49

A post hoc analysis of intravascular ultrasound regression trials (6 trials; 3943 patients) stratified into high (≥60 mg/dL; 17%) (17%) and low (<60 mg/dL; 83%) baseline serum Lp(a) showed that percent atheroma volume (PAV) was higher in the high Lp(a) group before adjustment for CVD risk factors (38 (33–44)% vs 37 (31–43), P=0.01) and more clearly after adjustment (39%±0.5 vs 38%±0.5, P<0.001). Risk-adjusted PAV increased across quintiles of Lp(a) (1–5; 37±0.5%, 37±0.5%, 37±0.5%, 38±0.5%, 39±0.5%, P=0.002).⁵⁰

Relationships of Lp(a)^51,52 with OxPL^53,54 have also been shown in aortic stenosis and this association may explain part of the atheromatous appearance of degenerative aortic valve disease.⁵⁵ Whether the association also occurs in mitral valve disease as opposed to mitral annulus calcification is unclear.⁵⁶

Lp (a) Measurement

The standardized accurate measurement of Lp(a) concentrations remains a challenge. The mass measurement of Lp(a) includes all of the cholesterol, cholesterol esters, phospholipids, apoB₁₀₀ and apo(a). The variability in K-IV₂ repeats will thus influence the mass concentration whilst also rendering multiple epitopes available for immunoassays thereby making standardization with a single calibrant impossible.^57,58 Furthermore, immunoassays must be specific for antigenic loci of apo (a) that are not present in plasminogen or apoB and are specific for K-IV₂ which is a major contributor to apo(a) polymorphism. An example is an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method employing monoclonal antibodies that are specific for a unique apo(a) epitope located in K-IV₉ which shows excellent agreement with an ultraperformance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry method.⁵⁷ The selection of assay calibrators is difficult given the high degree of apo(a) size/KIV₂ copy number variation but most kits now use 5-point calibration. Results should be expressed in nmol/l of Lp(a) particles, yet most of the previous literature reports Lp(a) concentrations in mass units and most papers do not specify the platform or traceability of reference materials. The use of a conversion factor of 2.4 to convert mass to molar units is not recommended given errors involved.⁵⁷

A further complication is that most Lp(a) forms part of the small dense sub-fraction within the spectrum of LDL particle subspecies. It exists as 3 subspecies running in the VLDL fraction as a triglyceride-rich apoB-apo(a) particle, a subfraction of apoB-apo(a) with added apoE and an LDL apoB-apo(a) fraction. The density of Lp(a) means that it forms part of the calculated LDL-C (cLDL-C) level reported using the Friedewald equation by most laboratories. A number of formulae have been proposed to correct cLDL-C for Lp(a)-C but none have been widely adopted.⁵⁹ Furthermore, the precipitation of Lp(a) by most direct LDL-C methods may vary.

Assays measuring Lp(a)-cholesterol content have been devised using lectin-based,⁶⁰ ultracentifugation^61,62 or immunofixation electrophoresis⁶³ methods. The lectin Lp(a)-C assay was assessed in the Framingham Heart study (n=3121).⁶⁰ The mean Lp(a)-C concentration in men with CHD (n=156) was 0.24±0. 20 mmol/L and 34% higher than in controls (P<0.001). The odds ratio for CHD risk in men with Lp(a)-C>0. 259mmol/L (>10mg/dL) was 2.29 (1.55–3.94; p<0.001). In this case, Lp(a)-C correlated highly with a mass immunoassay (Apotek^TM Lp(a); r=0.83; P <0.0001). This finding was not reproduced in the Framingham Offspring study.⁶⁴ For other methods Lp(a)-C shows a modest correlation with ELISA mass methods (r=0.56; P 0.01–0.001) accounting for 31% of the variance⁶¹ but results are often discordant.⁶² A new assay based on magnetic particle-based isolation of Lp(a) may be more practical.⁶⁵ High Lp(a)-C levels may have an effect on calculated LDL-C and may affect classification in 38% of patients if an adjustment formula is used⁵⁹ and even 3% of individuals for FH risk categories using the Dutch Lipid score.⁶⁶ They might also affect the eligibility for therapies which are dependent on LDL-C levels such as proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin-9 (PCSK-9) inhibitors.

Lp (a) and Current Guidelines

Consensus groups and expert opinion suggest that Lp(a) should be measured at least once in high risk groups such as those with established CVD or with a family history of early onset CVD.^24,67

In 2010, the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) Consensus Panel recommended screening for Lp (a) in a number of risk groups¹¹ (Table 1). These categories were slightly amended in the 2019 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for the management of dyslipidemia.⁶⁸ Similar statements on measuring Lp(a) in patients at higher risk of CVD have been made by the US American Heart Association⁷⁰ and in detail by the National Lipid Association.⁶⁹ All these guidelines recommend that Lp(a) is measured once and used as an additional risk stratification tool especially in high-risk groups for CVD. In the UK, NICE guidelines have not reviewed the role of Lp(a) and neither has the National Screening committee reviewed whether it should be measured as part of CVD risk assessment. The HEART-UK consensus statement⁷¹ reproduced guidance from the ESC in the absence of assessment from NICE. These guidelines suggest a desirable level Lp(a) <50mg/dl for patients with established CVD if the primary goal of LDL-C lowering had been achieved, partly based on this level being the 80th centile of the general population distribution.¹¹ Other authors have suggested an even lower target of 30mg/dl (90th centile).^72,73

Table 1 Summary of Groups Recommended for Lipoprotein (a) Testing in Different International Guidelines

With consensus guidelines recommending Lp(a) measurement in several patient groups the question on how a result will influence the clinician’s clinical decision making needs to be addressed. The use of Lp(a) levels to reclassify intermediate risk groups in primary prevention is feasible if risk modifiers can be agreed and added to calculator/web systems. Similarly, using Lp(a) as part of reclassification for recurrent disease and amending review intervals may be possible.

Lipid Lowering Therapies Indirectly Affecting Lp(a)

The effects of interventions on Lp(a) are very different to those on LDL particles which they partially resemble in structure apart from the addition of apo(a). Diet and lifestyle factors do not seem to influence Lp(a) concentrations⁷⁴ though this has not been formally well tested in prospective intervention studies.⁷²

Most studies that have investigated the effects of medications on Lp(a) have done this as a secondary endpoint or as a post hoc analysis. These studies (Table 2) generally do not select patients based on Lp(a) concentration, they are recruited from mostly Caucasian populations and report results either in the whole population or split at median values. Given the highly skewed distribution of Lp(a) this can lead to contrasting results depending on the population selected. The data on the effects of lipid-lowering drug therapies are presented based on meta-analyses of efficacy on Lp(a) levels in clinical trials; lipoprotein turnover studies suggesting the mechanism of any effect (production or catabolism) and any CVD outcome trial event data stratifying by Lp(a) concentration.

Table 2 Effects of Different Lipid-Lowering Drugs on Lp(a) Levels, Production and Catabolic Rates in Turnover Studies and Effects on CVD Outcomes Either Combined with LDL-C Changes or if Analyzed for Heterogeneity by Lp(a) Level Within Trials. Lp(a) Specific Studies are Quoted Separately

Lipoprotein Apheresis

Apheresis methods including apheresis reduce Lp(a) levels about 65–75% immediately post-procedure and 40–50% on standard schedules. Most descriptions of the effects have involved apheresis techniques that remove LDL and Lp(a) particles with the majority of cases having concurrent homozygous or heterozygous FH but a smaller fraction with severe vascular disease, polygenic hypercholesterolemia, and high Lp(a) levels. A systematic review of early studies showed that apheresis reduced CVD events by 54–90%.⁷⁵ A later study of 154 patients with baseline Lp(a) 108mg/dL showed apheresis reduced Lp(a) by 68% and reduced CVD events by 81%.⁷⁶ One variant of apheresis (Lipopac) is specific for removing Lp(a) but data on this intervention are limited. In a study of 15 patients, Lp(a) specific apheresis reduced Lp(a) by 75% and showed angiographic benefit.⁷⁷

Statins and Lp(a)

Most meta-analyses of the effects of statins (n=20; 23,605 patients) show minimal effect of these drugs on Lp(a) levels⁷⁸ but selecting on uniform assays (6 studies; 5526 patients) gave different results.⁷⁹ The only major study showing a different effect was JUPITER (Justification for the Use of Statins in Prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin). Rosuvastatin therapy raised Lp(a) by 10% in a study of 9612 multi-ethnic patients (7746 Caucasian). Lp(a) concentrations (median (25–75th centile); nmol/L) were highest in blacks (60 (34–100)), then Asians (38 (18–60)), Hispanics (24 (11–46)), and whites (23 (10–50)).⁸⁰ The median change in Lp(a) with rosuvastatin was zero, but statin therapy resulted in a positive shift in the Lp(a) distribution (P<0.0001). Rosuvastatin reduced CVD by 38% (HR 0.62 (0.43–0.90)) with Lp(a) above the median and 54% in those with Lp(a) below the median (HR 0.46 (0.30–0.72)), with no evidence of interaction.⁸⁰ The effect of statins on Lp(a) is likely neutral but may be confounded by insulin resistance, or isotype distribution.

Other Established Lipid-Lowering Drugs

A meta-analysis (16 studies; 1388 patients) showed fibrates have a small effect in reducing Lp(a) (2.7 (0.8–4.5) mg/dl) which is increased in combination therapy with statins.⁸¹ Drugs with a primary site of action in the gut such as ezetimibe (an enterocyte-acting Niemann Pick-C1-like protein 1(NPC1L1) antagonist)⁸² have no effect on Lp(a) and the bile acid sequestrant cholestyramine showed similar effects in the Lipid Research Clinics study.⁸³ There are little data on the effects of bempedoic acid (a hepatic acid-citrate lyase inhibitor) on Lp(a).⁸⁴

Niacin and Lp(a)

A meta-analysis of studies (14 studies; n=14,375) with niacin have shown that this treatment reduces Lp(a) by 23 (19–27%).⁸⁵ A crossover design lipoprotein turnover study in 8 patients treated with extended-release niacin showed it decreased triglycerides by 46%, raised HDL-C by 20%, and decreased apo(a) concentrations by 20%. It decreased apoB₁₀₀ by 22% and PCSK9 levels by −29%. Apo(a) production rates were decreased by 50% and fractional catabolic rate by 37%.⁸⁶ A further study of niacin treatment showed reductions in Lp(a) and VLDL-apoE absolute production rate were correlated (r=0.83; P=0.015). In contrast, PCSK9 reduction (−35%; P=0.008) was only correlated with that of VLDL-apoE absolute production rate (r=0.79; P=0.028).³⁵

Coronary and carotid artery regression studies show the predicted effect of baseline Lp(a) on risk of progression but no effect of niacin therapy in post hoc median-split analyses where diabetes, metabolic syndrome and nonHDL-cholesterol predicted effects.⁸⁷ In outcome studies, Lp(a) was not measured in the Coronary Drug Project but it was measured in the AIM-HIGH⁸⁸ and HPS/THRIVE studies.⁸⁹ The increased risk of events with baseline Lp(a) was seen in both studies. Niacin has multiple beneficial effects on lipid profiles including on Lp(a) but neither study showed any reduction in CVD events. A pre-specified analysis of HPS2/THRIVE investigated the effect of niacin-laropiprant on Lp(a) and CVD risk.⁹⁰ Niacin therapy reduced mean Lp(a) by 12 (SE, 1) nmol/L overall and 34(6) nmol/L in the top quintile of Lp(a)(>128nmol/L). The mean reduction in Lp(a) with niacin was 31% but varied with predominant apolipoprotein(a) isoform size (P_Trend=4×10⁻²⁹) but was only 18% in the highest quintile (Lp(a)>128nM) with low isoform size.⁹⁰

PCSK9 Inhibitors and Lp(a)

PCSK9 inhibitors, like statins, modulate expression of the LDL receptor. However, the 2 drug classes have different effects on Lp(a). Meta-analysis of the effects of PCSK9 inhibitors (41 studies; n=64,107) showed reduced Lp(a) by 28% in contrast to the lack of effect of statins.⁹¹ Lipoprotein turnover studies with PCSK9 inhibitors have shown confusing effects with a reduction in particle synthesis with monotherapy but changing to increased catabolism in combination with statins.⁹²

Subgroup analyses of the FOURIER and ODYSSEY-Outcomes trials showed that higher baseline Lp(a) predicted CVD risk and thus was associated with a greater absolute risk of CVD reduction. In the FOURIER trial, in 27,564 patients with CVD, evolocumab reduced Lp(a) by a median 27 (6–47)%.⁹³ The change in Lp(a) of median 25 (6–47)nmol/L correlated with change in LDL-C (r=0.37; p<0.001). Evolocumab reduced CVD events by 23% (HR 0.77 (0.67–0.88)) in patients with above median Lp(a) and by 7% (HR 0.93 (0.80–1.08); P_interaction=0.07) in those below the median level. The higher baseline risk of 2.49% vs 0.95% and the greater absolute risk reductions translate to a number needed to treat over 3 years (NNT₃) of 40 vs 105 individuals.⁹³ The 25 nmol/L (12 mg/dL) reduction in Lp(a) corresponded to a 15% reduction in CVD events.⁹⁴

Data from 4 Phase 3 trials with evolucumab comprising 895 patients showed heterogeneity between LDL-C and Lp(a) effects.⁹⁵ Concordance was defined as LDL-C reduction >35% and Lp(a) reduction >10%. A discordant response was observed in 20% of patients with a higher prevalence in those with baseline Lp(a) concentrations >30mg/dL (26.5%) or >50 mg/dL (28.6%).⁹⁵

The ODYSSEY-Outcomes study randomized 18,924 patients to alirocumab or placebo and followed them for 2.8 years. Baseline Lp(a) levels were 21 (7–60)mg/dl and predicted CVD events.⁹⁶ Alirocumab reduced Lp(a) by 5.0 (0–14) mg/dl, LDL-C by 51 (34–67)mg/dl, and reduced CVD events by 15% (HR 0.85 (0.78–0.93)). Alirocumab-induced reductions of Lp(a) and LDL-C independently predicted lower risk of CVD events, after adjustment for baseline concentrations, demographics and clinical characteristics. In a further analysis, ODYSSEY-Outcomes higher baseline Lp(a) levels were associated with a greater reduction in CVD events with alirocumab (HR P_trend=0.045).⁹⁷ A 1mg/dl reduction in Lp(a) with alirocumab was associated with a 0.6% reduction in CVD events⁹⁶ while a 5mg/dL reduction in Lp(a) predicted a 2.5% reduction in CVD events.⁹⁷

A post hoc analysis of the ODYSSEY program (10 trials) also showed discordance between Lp(a) and LDL-C responses. The total prevalence of discordant LDL-C/Lp(a) responses was 13% with LDL-C>35% reduction and Lp(a)<10% reduction; and 9% with LDL-C<35% reduction and Lp(a)>10% reduction.⁹⁸

Little data are available, as yet, on Inclisiran -a modified siRNA targeting apo(a). In the ORION-1 study with 501 participants a single dose of inclisiran reduced apo B, non-HDL-C, and VLDL-cholesterol over 210 days. A second dose of inclisiran delivered additional lipid lowering. Inclisiran with reduced LDL-C and apoB similar to PCSK9 antibody therapies and Lp(a) reductions of 15–25% were obtained.⁹⁹

Antisense Therapy to apoB

Mipomersen, a second-generation antisense oligonucleotide against apo-B₁₀₀ was approved to treat homozygous FH (HoFH) but has now been withdrawn for commercial reasons. It has shown consistent effects in reducing Lp(a).¹⁰⁰ Meta-analysis of all four phase 3 randomized trials including 382 patients found that mipomersen reduced Lp(a) by 26%.¹⁰¹ A lipoprotein turnover study in 14 healthy individuals using 150mg mipomersen showed a 21% reduction in Lp(a) driven by a 27% increase in the fractional catabolic rate, but no change in the production rate.¹⁰²

Cholesterol Ester Transfer Protein Inhibitors

Cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitors reduce Lp(a) levels. Analysis of the Investigation of Lipid Level Management to Understand its Impact in Atherosclerotic Events (ILLUMINATE) trial showed that Lp(a) was dose-dependently increased with increasing atorvastatin doses during optimization. Torcetrapib therapy decreased Lp(a) by 11%.¹⁰³ Evacetrapib decreased Lp(a) by up to −40% with evacetrapib 500 mg in dose ranging studies while evacetrapib combined with statins reduced Lp(a) by 31%.¹⁰⁴ Dalcetrapib had lesser effects on lipids than torcetrapib, evacetrapib or anacetrapib and decreased Lp(a) by 5%.³²

A lipoprotein turnover study investigated the effects of anacetrapib, statin or combined therapy. Anacetrapib treatment reduced Lp(a) by 34% (P<0.001). The decreases in Lp(a) levels were caused by a 41% reduction in the apo(a) production rate, with no effects on fractional catabolic rate.¹⁰⁵

Specific Therapies for apo(a)

All the lipoprotein turnover data suggest that intervention on production rate of apo(a) is likely to reduce Lp(a). Antisense technology has been applied to apo(a) as a method of delivering a specific effect. The effect of ISIS 144367, a 2nd generation ASO to apo(a) was initially investigated in transgenic mouse models overexpressing human apo(a). It produced a decrease of 20, 30, and 86% in the three different models, respectively.¹⁰⁶ ISIS 144367 was optimized and the new ASO called ISIS-APO(a)Rx was tested in cynomolgus monkeys achieving a reduction of 97% in hepatic apolipoprotein(a) mRNA of 90% in Lp(a) at the highest dose.¹⁰⁷

The Phase 1 study of ISIS-APO(a)Rx in man (n=47) assigned 16 patients to single-dose treatment and 31 were assigned to a multi-dose cohort treated for 4 weeks (Table 3). After 36 days all 3 treated groups showed 100mg ISIS-APO(a)Rx reduced Lp(a) by 40%, 200mg 59%, and 300mg decreased Lp(a) by 79%. No serious adverse events were seen but one patient stopped due to injection site reaction and another stopped due to flu-like symptoms.¹⁰⁸

Table 3 Efficacy of Antisense108 and GalNAc Conjugated in Single and Multidose110 Preclinical Studies

The Phase 2 study of ISIS-APO(a)Rx included 64 individuals with 51 assigned to cohort A with baseline Lp(a) levels from 50–175mg/dL (125–437 nmol/L) and 13 individuals (cohort B) had baseline Lp(a) levels >175 mg/dL (≥ 438 nmol/L).¹⁰⁹ Both cohorts received 100 mg weekly for 4 weeks, then 200 mg for 4 weeks, and last 300 mg for 4 weeks.¹⁰⁹ Levels of Lp(a) decreased by 67% for individuals in cohort A and 72% in cohort B, measured on day 85 or 99. No severe adverse events were recorded; but 2 individuals suffered a myocardial infarction, one in the placebo arm and one after a single dose of ISIS-APO(a)Rx. Regarding mild adverse events, 10% in cohort A and 19% in cohort B had injection site reactions.

Further modification of ISIS-APO(a)Rx (renamed IONIS/AKCEA-APO(a)-LRx; pelacarsen) involved adding a triantennary N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) to induce high plasma clearance through the hepatocyte asialoglycoprotein (ASGP) receptor. A phase 1/2A dose-ranging study recruited 58 healthy volunteers assigning 28 to a single-dose cohort and 30 to a multiple-dose cohort (Table 1).¹¹⁰ Lp(a) was decreased by 59% in the 10mg group, 72% in the 20 mg group, and 72% in the 40 mg group at day 36. No serious adverse events were recorded, and no injection site reactions, bleeds, or changes in liver parameters were seen.

The phase 2 study of pelacarsen (ISIS 681257 now AKCEA-APO(a)-LRx; TQJ230) in 286 patients with CVD and Lp(a)>60 mg/dL (127nmol/L), divided them into 5 cohorts and a placebo group.¹¹¹ At 6 months, the 20mg/4 weeks group showed a decrease in Lp(a) of 35%; 40mg/4 weeks achieved 56%; 60mg/4 weeks 72%; while 20mg/2 weeks reduced Lp(a) by 58%; and 20mg/week 80%. The most frequent adverse event was an injection site reaction that occurred in 26% of individuals.

Other siRNA-based therapies (ARC-LPa as known as AMG890 and SLN360) targeting LPA RNA are also in early development. These have just started phase 1 and 2 studies in man.¹¹² Structural work on the binding properties of Kringle domains has led to the development of AZ-005 which inhibits the function of K-IV10 domain and this small molecule inhibitor may proceed to human trials.¹¹³

Cardiovascular Outcome Studies for Lp(a)

All therapies licensed to date either have minimal effects on Lp(a) or have multiple actions on other parts of the lipid profile including LDL-C (PCSK-9 inhibitors); triglycerides and HDL-C (niacin). The development of specific therapies for Lp(a) means it is now possible to investigate whether intervention specifically on this risk factor will translate into clinical benefits. The first question that needs to be addressed is how to deliver sufficient statistical power to answer the question. Data from HPS-THRIVE suggested that Lp(a) reductions were predicted to reduce CAD risk by ≈2% overall and 6% in the top quintile by Lp(a) levels, so new therapies needed to reduce Lp(a) levels by >80nmol/L to produce worthwhile benefits.⁹⁰ A Mendelian randomization study showed that a 102mg/dl (≈260nmol/L) reduction would reproduce the effects seen with a 1mmol/L reduction in LDL-C based on a 10mg/dl (≈25nmol/L) translating to a 6% reduction in CVD events using a genetic risk score.⁴⁹ Patients with Lp(a) levels>100nmol/L account for 5.7% of CVD events in the UK Biobank cohort, so recruiting patients with CVD and Lp(a) >175nmol/L may reduce CVD risk by 20%, assuming causality, if the intervention reduces Lp(a) by 80%.¹¹⁴

The second question is whether the effects of LDL-C and Lp(a) on CVD outcomes are independent. Data from observational studies suggest that Lp(a) may not have a significant effect in driving CVD risk if LDL-C<2mmol/L.¹¹⁵ Data from a study of 2769 patients with possible CVD who had coronary angiography with Lp(a) 16mg/dl (>30 mg/dl in 38%) showed elevated Lp(a) was associated with a 2.3 (1.7–3.2) fold likelihood of significant angiographic stenosis (P<0.001) and 1.5 (1.3–1.7) fold chance of 3-vessel disease. Lp(a) levels were related to CVD outcomes in patients with LDL-C 70–100 mg/dl (1.8–2.4mmol/L) (P=0.05) and >100mg/dl (2.4mmol/L) (P=0.02), but not in those with LDL-C<70mg/dl (1.8mmol/L) (p=0.77).¹¹⁵ Current guidelines all suggest that patients with established CVD should attain LDL-C<2mmol/L⁷⁰ (or be on highest dose of potent statin likely to have similar effects).¹¹⁶ Yet recent studies in patients with acute coronary syndromes with ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors showed that LDL-C 1.6mmol/L was attained with ezetimibe¹¹⁷ and 0.9mmol/L with PCSK9 inhibitors^118,119 with further benefits in CVD outcomes. This has led the ESC to suggest a target LDL-C of 1.4 mmol/L.⁶⁸ Whether and to what extent Lp(a) will remain a significant risk factor in many patients after attainment of such low LDL-C remains unclear.

A CVD outcomes trial is underway with an Lp(a) reducing therapy (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04023552). The trial aims to recruit 7680 patients with established CVD, likely a treated LDL-C <2mmol/L, and an Lp(a)>70mg/dl (≈175nmol/L). Patients had to have had a CHD or CVA event within 0.25–10yrs or have PAD. The trial is designed for a follow-up of 4 yrs. A pre-specified analysis will also be conducted in patients with Lp(a)>90mg/dL.

Conclusion

Assessment of Lp(a) levels may be useful, yet standardized measurement of Lp(a) concentrations remains a challenge which restricts and complicates inferences made across studies, intervention trials, and the usefulness of measurement in routine clinical practice. There is a clear consensus that elevated Lp(a) levels are associated with increased risk of CVD events and may aid reclassification or review intervals. However, detailed health economic based policy recommendations for identifying exact threshold levels and which high-risk subgroups should be targeted or screened, remain to be developed.⁴⁴ Recent CVD epidemiology previously showed enthusiasm for homocysteine measurement which had similar evidence for reclassification, but clinical trials failed to show any benefit on intervention. Modern lipid management of CVD is becoming more aggressive and targeting lower LDL-C levels. Whether reducing Lp(a) has any role once LDL-C has been optimally controlled, remains unclear. The results of ongoing intervention trials which target Lp(a) reduction with concomitant effects on other lipid sub-fractions, are eagerly awaited. These trials will help clarify the role of Lp(a) in atherosclerotic CVD.