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American Diabetes Association
Scientific Sessions 2017
9–13 JUNE 2017 • SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, USA
The PCSK9 Inhibitor Alirocumab Reduces LDL and Non-HDL
Cholesterol in Insulin-Dependent Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
In the first dedicated trial of a PCSK9
inhibitor in patients with type 2
diabetes, alirocumab has been
shown to reduce LDL and non-HDL
cholesterol in insulin-dependent
patients.
T
his outcome of the international
phase 3, randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled ODYSSEY-DM
Insulin Trial was reported at the American
Diabetes Association’s 77th Scientific Ses-
sions, from June 9–13.
Lawrence Leiter, MD, of the Li Ka Shing
Knowledge Institute at St. Michael’s Hos-
pital, and the University of Toronto, Ontario,
Canada, explained that patients with dia-
betes are predisposed to abnormal
cholesterol levels.
He said, “Despite the current standard of
care for lipid-lowering therapy, many indi-
viduals with diabetes have persistent lipid
abnormalities resulting in increased resid-
ual cardiovascular risk. For people with
diabetes, cardiovascular risk increases with
advanced duration of diabetes, particularly
in insulin-treated patients.”
The PCSK9 protein inhibits the activity of
hepatic receptors that bind to and allow
metabolism of cholesterol. Alirocumab is
an approved monoclonal antibody that pre-
vents PCSK9 protein from impairing hepatic
receptors. More cholesterol is metabolized
by the liver, lowering cholesterol levels.
The ODYSSEY DM-Insulin Trial was con-
ducted at 108 centers across the US and
Europe. The trial enrolled insulin-treated
patients with types 1 and 2 diabetes who
were at high cardiovascular risk and were
hypercholesterolemic despite maximum
tolerated statin therapy.
© ADA/Monica Almeida 2017
CONFERENCE COVERAGE
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