Researchers declare potential breakthrough in heart care with new cholesterol-reducing injection
In a groundbreaking development, a new cholesterol-lowering vaccine, Leqvio, has shown promising results in a recent trial. Developed by Novartis in collaboration with Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Leqvio has the potential to revolutionise cardiovascular care, as reported by Ruchira Glaser, global head of the cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic development unit at Novartis.
The V-DIFFERENCE trial, the first to examine Leqvio's ability to reduce muscle pain, a common side effect of statins, involved 1,770 patients. 898 of these received Leqvio injections and specific high-intensity statins, while 872 patients received placebos and the same high-intensity statins.
After 90 days, an impressive 85% of patients in the Leqvio group met their cholesterol targets, compared to just 31% in the placebo group. Not only does this indicate Leqvio's effectiveness in managing cholesterol levels, but it also suggests that patients on Leqvio may achieve their targets faster than with other therapies.
Moreover, patients receiving Leqvio experienced less muscle pain, a common side-effect of cholesterol-lowering medication like statins. This could make Leqvio an attractive alternative for those struggling with statin-related muscle issues.
Cholesterol, a fatty substance produced by the liver and found in some foods, comes in two types: good cholesterol, which removes excess cholesterol, and bad cholesterol, which can build up in the arteries and increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke.
The latest NHS Health Survey for England estimates that 53% of adults had raised cholesterol levels in 2022, up from 43% in 2019. The proportion of adults with raised cholesterol was higher among women (56%) compared to men (49%).
Statins are the most common drug used to treat high cholesterol on the NHS. However, they are typically taken as a daily tablet for the rest of a patient's life. Leqvio, on the other hand, is administered as an injection, with an initial dose, another at three months, and then every six months.
Ulf Landmesser, chairman of the department of cardiology, angiology, and intensive care medicine at the German Heart Centre of Charite and Charite University Medicine Berlin, noted that the trial focuses on patient outcomes. The findings of the V-DIFFERENCE trial will be presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress in Madrid.
In conclusion, Leqvio, the cholesterol-busting jab developed by Novartis, is suggested to transform heart care by offering a more effective and potentially less burdensome treatment option for managing high cholesterol levels.
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