https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/30/health/heart-attack-lpa-protein.html
Drug Reduces Mysterious Particle Involved in Heart Attack Risk
The Eli Lilly drug caused a major drop in the blood levels of Lp(a), but further research is needed to show that it will prevent heart attacks and strokes.
By Gina Kolata, The New York Times,
March 30, 2025
As many as one in five people — an estimated 64 million in the United States — have elevated levels of a tiny particle in their blood. It can greatly increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
But few know about it, and almost no doctors test for it, because there was not much to be done. Diet does not help. Neither does exercise. There have been no drugs…
On Sunday, cardiologists announced that an experimental drug made by Eli Lilly, lepodisiran, could lower levels of the particle, Lp(a), by 94 percent with a single injection. The effects lasted for six months and there were no significant side effects.
But it is not yet confirmed that reducing Lp(a) levels also reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes. That awaits large clinical trials that are now underway…
Eli Lilly is now conducting a large clinical trial asking if its drug can prevent heart attacks or strokes or cardiovascular deaths. It will conclude in 2029. Clinical trials of other drugs targeting Lp(a) will conclude sooner. The first will be a study of a Novartis drug, injected monthly, with results expected in 2026.
Cardiologists caution, though, that there is no guarantee the drugs will protect people… [end quote]
A recent study showed that high Lp(a) coupled with high C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation) dramatically increases cardiovascular disease.
Because of my heart problem I was approved for these tests (which are not part of regular screening). Fortunately my levels of both are low. My coronary arteries are clear.
Anyone with CVD in their family should have these tests.
If the clinical trial results are positive the drugs will be blockbusters for Eli Lilly and Novartis. It would be a matter of life and death since the level of Lp(a) is genetically controlled and can’t be changed by diet or exercise.
Wendy