Focus on alirocumab: a PCSK9 antibody to treat hypercholesterolemia

Statin treatment represents the gold standard in the reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and cardiovascular risk. Although statin therapy is generally well tolerated, some patients fail to achieve the target level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol or discontinue the treatment for the occurrence of adverse events. In recent years new lipid-modifying agents have been studied to overcome these limitations and to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol plasma levels. Alirocumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9, thereby preventing its interaction with low density lipoprotein receptors. Several trials have been conducted in the last few years to evaluate long-term effects of this new molecule on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk.