Role of PCSK9 antibodies in cardiovascular disease: Critical considerations of mortality and neurocognitive findings from the current literature

Atherosclerosis. 2016 Apr:247:189-92. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2016.02.011. Epub 2016 Feb 15.

Abstract

Monoclonal antibodies targeting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) are a novel lipid-lowering approach found to improve clinical outcomes in patients with dyslipidemia. With coronary artery disease remaining the most frequent cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, a drug offering a true mortality reduction should be appropriately regarded as a novel blockbuster in cardiovascular medicine, provided that significant side effects do not emerge. However, a recent study may suggest an increase of neurocognitive adverse events with those drugs. A critical overview of current evidence on neurocognitive outcomes as well as the meta-analytical approach with open-label extension trials evaluating PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies is needed to avoid potential controversy.

Keywords: Meta-analysis; Mortality; Neurocognitive effects; PCSK9 antibodies.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / blood
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / mortality
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Cognition / drug effects*
  • Dyslipidemias / blood
  • Dyslipidemias / drug therapy*
  • Dyslipidemias / enzymology
  • Dyslipidemias / mortality
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Humans
  • Hypolipidemic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Lipids / blood*
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / chemically induced*
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / diagnosis
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / mortality
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / psychology
  • PCSK9 Inhibitors*
  • Proprotein Convertase 9 / immunology
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Biomarkers
  • Hypolipidemic Agents
  • Lipids
  • PCSK9 Inhibitors
  • PCSK9 protein, human
  • Proprotein Convertase 9