A cholesterol-busting injection administered twice yearly could transform heart care, according to new trial data from pharmaceutical giant Novartis. The drug Leqvio helped patients reach their cholesterol targets significantly faster than existing treatments while reducing troublesome muscle pain side effects.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance made by the liver and found in some foods. There are two types: good cholesterol, which removes excess cholesterol, and bad cholesterol, which can build up in arteries and increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke.
Leqvio works by interfering with genetic material to limit production of a protein that increases bad cholesterol levels. Unlike statins - the most common NHS cholesterol treatment requiring daily tablets for life - Leqvio is given as an injection with an initial dose, another at three months, then every six months.
Trial shows dramatic improvement
The V-DIFFERENCE trial included 898 people receiving Leqvio injections alongside high-intensity statins and other lipid-lowering therapies suited to individual needs. A control group of 872 patients received placebo injections with the same additional treatments.
After 90 days, 85 per cent of patients in the Leqvio group met their cholesterol targets compared to just 31 per cent in the placebo group. The study represents the first research to examine Leqvio's impact on meaningful patient outcomes rather than just cholesterol levels.
Ruchira Glaser, global head of the cardiovascular, renal and metabolic development unit at Novartis, said: "These results highlight the potential of Leqvio to transform cardiovascular care by improving meaningful patient outcomes. V-DIFFERENCE has provided evidence that early use of Leqvio is an effective way to help patients reach their LDL-C goals faster without the need to add other therapies or maximise statin doses."
Addressing muscle pain concerns
The trial marked the first study to examine Leqvio's ability to reduce muscle-related problems associated with statin use. Patients receiving Leqvio were 43 per cent less likely to experience muscle-related issues compared to the placebo group.
Ulf Landmesser, chairman of the department of cardiology, angiology and intensive care medicine at German Heart Centre of Charite and Charite University Medicine Berlin, described the findings as significant for patient care. He said: "These findings are significant as they demonstrate effective options for lipid management improvement in patients at risk, a majority of whom continue to remain above recommended LDL-C levels."
The latest NHS Health Survey for England shows 53 per cent of adults had raised cholesterol in 2022, up from 43 per cent in 2019. Women showed higher rates at 56 per cent compared to 49 per cent for men. The findings will be presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Madrid.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
