Practice Update: Diabetes

CONFERENCE COVERAGE 8

American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions 2017 9–13 JUNE 2017 • SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, USA

© ADA/Monica Almeida 2017

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

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.

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.

PRACTICEUPDATE DIABETES