Rob Scott

Inhibition of PCSK9 with evolocumab in homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (TESLA Part B): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND Homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia is a rare, serious disorder caused by very low or absent plasma clearance of LDL, substantially raised LDL cholesterol, and accelerated development of cardiovascular disease. Conventional lipid-lowering treatments are modestly effective. Evolocumab, a monoclonal antibody to proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), reduced LDL cholesterol by 16% in a pilot study. We now report results with evolocumab in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. METHODS This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial was undertaken at 17 sites in ten countries in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and South Africa. 50 eligible patients (aged ≥12 years) with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia, on stable lipid-regulating therapy for at least 4 weeks, and not receiving lipoprotein apheresis, were randomly allocated by a computer-generated randomisation sequence in a 2:1 ratio to receive subcutaneous evolocumab 420 mg or placebo every 4 weeks for 12 weeks. Randomisation was stratified by LDL cholesterol at screening (<11 mmol/L or ≥11 mmol/L) and implemented by a computerised interactive voice-response system. Patients, study personnel, and the funder were masked to treatment and to the efficacy results by the central laboratory not returning LDL cholesterol or any lipid results to the clinical sites after the baseline visit. The primary endpoint was percentage change in ultracentrifugation LDL cholesterol from baseline at week 12 compared with placebo, analysed by intention-to-treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01588496. FINDINGS Of the 50 eligible patients randomly assigned to the two treatment groups, 49 actually received the study drug and completed the study (16 in the placebo group and 33 in the evolocumab group). Compared with placebo, evolocumab significantly reduced ultracentrifugation LDL cholesterol at 12 weeks by 30·9% (95% CI -43·9% to -18·0%; p<0·0001). Treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in ten (63%) of 16 patients in the placebo group and 12 (36%) of 33 in the evolocumab group. No serious clinical or laboratory adverse events occurred, and no anti-evolocumab antibody development was detected during the study. INTERPRETATION In patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia receiving stable background lipid-lowering treatment and not on apheresis, evolocumab 420 mg administered every 4 weeks was well tolerated and significantly reduced LDL cholesterol compared with placebo. FUNDING Amgen Inc.

PCSK9 inhibition with evolocumab (AMG 145) in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (RUTHERFORD-2): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia is characterised by low cellular uptake of LDL cholesterol, increased plasma LDL cholesterol concentrations, and premature cardiovascular disease. Despite intensive statin therapy, with or without ezetimibe, many patients are unable to achieve recommended target levels of LDL cholesterol. We investigated the effect of PCSK9 inhibition with evolocumab (AMG 145) on LDL cholesterol in patients with this disorder. METHODS This multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was undertaken at 39 sites (most of which were specialised lipid clinics, mainly attached to academic institutions) in Australia, Asia, Europe, New Zealand, North America, and South Africa between Feb 7 and Dec 19, 2013. 331 eligible patients (18-80 years of age), who met clinical criteria for heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia and were on stable lipid-lowering therapy for at least 4 weeks, with a fasting LDL cholesterol concentration of 2·6 mmol/L or higher, were randomly allocated in a 2:2:1:1 ratio to receive subcutaneous evolocumab 140 mg every 2 weeks, evolocumab 420 mg monthly, or subcutaneous placebo every 2 weeks or monthly for 12 weeks. Randomisation was computer generated by the study sponsor, implemented by a computerised voice interactive system, and stratified by LDL cholesterol concentration at screening (higher or lower than 4·1 mmol/L) and by baseline ezetimibe use (yes/no). Patients, study personnel, investigators, and Amgen study staff were masked to treatment assignments within dosing frequency groups. The coprimary endpoints were percentage change from baseline in LDL cholesterol at week 12 and at the mean of weeks 10 and 12, analysed by intention-to-treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01763918. FINDINGS Of 415 screened patients, 331 were eligible and were randomly assigned to the four treatment groups: evolocumab 140 mg every 2 weeks (n=111), evolocumab 420 mg monthly (n=110), placebo every 2 weeks (n=55), or placebo monthly (n=55). 329 patients received at least one dose of study drug. Compared with placebo, evolocumab at both dosing schedules led to a significant reduction in mean LDL cholesterol at week 12 (every-2-weeks dose: 59·2% reduction [95% CI 53·4-65·1], monthly dose: 61·3% reduction [53·6-69·0]; both p<0·0001) and at the mean of weeks 10 and 12 (60·2% reduction [95% CI 54·5-65·8] and 65·6% reduction [59·8-71·3]; both p<0·0001). Evolocumab was well tolerated, with rates of adverse events similar to placebo. The most common adverse events occurring more frequently in the evolocumab-treated patients than in the placebo groups were nasopharyngitis (in 19 patients [9%] vs five [5%] in the placebo group) and muscle-related adverse events (ten patients [5%] vs 1 [1%]). INTERPRETATION In patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia, evolocumab administered either 140 mg every 2 weeks or 420 mg monthly was well tolerated and yielded similar and rapid 60% reductions in LDL cholesterol compared with placebo. FUNDING Amgen Inc.

Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of a monoclonal antibody to proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 in combination with a statin in patients with hypercholesterolaemia (LAPLACE-TIMI 57): a randomised, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging, phase 2 study

BACKGROUND LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) is a well established risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) binds LDL receptors, targeting them for degradation. We therefore assessed the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of AMG 145, a human monoclonal IgG2 antibody against PCSK9, in stable patients with hypercholesterolemia on a statin. METHODS In a phase 2, dose-ranging study done in 78 centres in the USA, Canada, Denmark, Hungary, and Czech Republic, patients (aged 18-80 years) with LDL-C greater than 2·2 mmol/L on a stable dose of statin (with or without ezetimibe), were randomly assigned equally, through an interactive voice response system, to subcutaneous injections of AMG 145 70 mg, 105 mg, or 140 mg, or matching placebo every 2 weeks; or subcutaneous injections of AMG 145 280 mg, 350 mg, or 420 mg, or matching placebo every 4 weeks. Everyone was masked to treatment assignment within the every 2 weeks and every 4 weeks schedules. The primary endpoint was the percentage change in LDL-C concentration from baseline after 12 weeks. Analysis was by modified intention to treat. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01380730. FINDINGS 631 patients with hypercholesterolaemia were randomly assigned to AMG 145 70 mg (n=79), 105 mg (n=79), or 140 mg (n=78), or matching placebo (n=78) every 2 weeks; or AMG 145 280 mg (n=79), 350 mg (n=79), and 420 mg (n=80), and matching placebo (n=79) every 4 weeks. At the end of the dosing interval at week 12, the mean LDL-C concentrations were reduced generally dose dependently by AMG 145 every 2 weeks (ranging from 41·8% to 66·1%; p<0·0001 for each dose vs placebo) and AMG 145 every 4 weeks (ranging from 41·8% to 50·3%; p<0·0001). No treatment-related serious adverse events occurred. The frequencies of treatment-related adverse events were similar in the AMG 145 and placebo groups (39 [8%] of 474 vs 11 [7%] of 155); none of these events were severe or life-threatening. INTERPRETATION The results suggest that PCSK9 inhibition could be a new model in lipid management. Inhibition of PCSK9 warrants assessment in phase 3 clinical trials. FUNDING Amgen.

Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of a monoclonal antibody to proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 as monotherapy in patients with hypercholesterolaemia (MENDEL): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 study

BACKGROUND Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) increases serum LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations. We assessed the effects of AMG 145, a human monoclonal antibody against PCSK9, in patients with hypercholesterolaemia in the absence of concurrent lipid-lowering treatment. METHODS In a phase 2 trial done at 52 centres in Europe, the USA, Canada, and Australia, patients (aged 18-75 years) with serum LDL-C concentrations of 2·6 mmol/L or greater but less than 4·9 mmol/L were randomly assigned equally through an interactive voice response system to subcutaneous injections of AMG 145 70 mg, 105 mg, or 140 mg, or placebo every 2 weeks; subcutaneous AMG 145 280 mg, 350 mg, or 420 mg or placebo every 4 weeks; or oral ezetimibe 10 mg/day. The primary endpoint was percentage change from baseline in LDL-C concentration at week 12. Analysis was by modified intention to treat. Study personnel and patients were masked to treatment assignment of AMG 145 or placebo. Ezetimibe assignment was open label. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01375777. FINDINGS 406 patients were assigned to AMG 145 70 mg (n=45), 105 mg (n=46), or 140 mg (n=45) every 2 weeks; AMG 145 280 mg (n=45), 350 mg (n=45), or 420 mg (n=45) every 4 weeks; placebo every 2 weeks (n=45) or every 4 weeks (n=45); or ezetimibe (n=45). AMG 145 significantly reduced LDL-C concentrations in all dose groups (mean baseline LDL-C concentration 3·7 mmol/L [SD 0·6]; changes from baseline with every 2 weeks AMG 145 70 mg -41·0% [95% CI -46·2 to -35·8]; 105 mg -43·9% [-49·0 to -38·7]; 140 mg -50·9% [-56·2 to -45·7]; every 4 weeks AMG 145 280 mg -39·0% [-44·1 to -34·0]; 350 mg -43·2% [-48·3 to -38·1]; 420 mg -48·0% [-53·1 to -42·9]; placebo every 2 weeks -3·7% [-9·0 to 1·6]; placebo every 4 weeks 4·5% [-0·7 to 9·8]; and ezetimibe -14·7% [-18·6 to -10·8]; p<0·0001 for all doses vs placebo or ezetimibe). Treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 136 (50%) of 271 patients in the AMG 145 groups, 41 (46%) of 90 patients in the placebo groups, and 26 (58%) of 45 patients in the ezetimibe group; no deaths or serious treatment-related adverse events were reported. INTERPRETATION The results of our study support the further assessment of AMG 145 in long-term studies with larger and more diverse populations including patients with documented statin intolerance. FUNDING Amgen.

Effect of evolocumab or ezetimibe added to moderate- or high-intensity statin therapy on LDL-C lowering in patients with hypercholesterolemia: the LAPLACE-2 randomized clinical trial

IMPORTANCE In phase 2 studies, evolocumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody to PCSK9, reduced LDL-C levels in patients receiving statin therapy. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of evolocumab when used in combination with a moderate- vs high-intensity statin. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS Phase 3, 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo- and ezetimibe-controlled study conducted between January and December of 2013 in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia at 198 sites in 17 countries. INTERVENTIONS Patients (n = 2067) were randomized to 1 of 24 treatment groups in 2 steps. Patients were initially randomized to a daily, moderate-intensity (atorvastatin [10 mg], simvastatin [40 mg], or rosuvastatin [5 mg]) or high-intensity (atorvastatin [80 mg], rosuvastatin [40 mg]) statin. After a 4-week lipid-stabilization period, patients (n = 1899) were randomized to compare evolocumab (140 mg every 2 weeks or 420 mg monthly) with placebo (every 2 weeks or monthly) or ezetimibe (10 mg or placebo daily; atorvastatin patients only) when added to statin therapies. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Percent change from baseline in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level at the mean of weeks 10 and 12 and at week 12. RESULTS Evolocumab reduced LDL-C levels by 66% (95% CI, 58% to 73%) to 75% (95% CI, 65% to 84%) (every 2 weeks) and by 63% (95% CI, 54% to 71%) to 75% (95% CI, 67% to 83%) (monthly) vs placebo at the mean of weeks 10 and 12 in the moderate- and high-intensity statin-treated groups; the LDL-C reductions at week 12 were comparable. For moderate-intensity statin groups, evolocumab every 2 weeks reduced LDL-C from a baseline mean of 115 to 124 mg/dL to an on-treatment mean of 39 to 49 mg/dL; monthly evolocumab reduced LDL-C from a baseline mean of 123 to 126 mg/dL to an on-treatment mean of 43 to 48 mg/dL. For high-intensity statin groups, evolocumab every 2 weeks reduced LDL-C from a baseline mean of 89 to 94 mg/dL to an on-treatment mean of 35 to 38 mg/dL; monthly evolocumab reduced LDL-C from a baseline mean of 89 to 94 mg/dL to an on-treatment mean of 33 to 35 mg/dL. Adverse events were reported in 36%, 40%, and 39% of evolocumab-, ezetimibe-, and placebo-treated patients, respectively. The most common adverse events in evolocumab-treated patients were back pain, arthralgia, headache, muscle spasms, and pain in extremity (all <2%). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this 12-week trial conducted among patients with primary hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia, evolocumab added to moderate- or high-intensity statin therapy resulted in additional LDL-C lowering. Further studies are needed to evaluate the longer-term clinical outcomes and safety of this approach for LDL-C lowering. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01763866.

Effect of Evolocumab on Progression of Coronary Disease in Statin-Treated Patients: The GLAGOV Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance Reducing levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) with intensive statin therapy reduces progression of coronary atherosclerosis in proportion to achieved LDL-C levels. Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors produce incremental LDL-C lowering in statin-treated patients; however, the effects of these drugs on coronary atherosclerosis have not been evaluated. Objective To determine the effects of PCSK9 inhibition with evolocumab on progression of coronary atherosclerosis in statin-treated patients. Design, Setting, and Participants The GLAGOV multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial (enrollment May 3, 2013, to January 12, 2015) conducted at 197 academic and community hospitals in North America, Europe, South America, Asia, Australia, and South Africa and enrolling 968 patients presenting for coronary angiography. Interventions Participants with angiographic coronary disease were randomized to receive monthly evolocumab (420 mg) (n = 484) or placebo (n = 484) via subcutaneous injection for 76 weeks, in addition to statins. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary efficacy measure was the nominal change in percent atheroma volume (PAV) from baseline to week 78, measured by serial intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS) imaging. Secondary efficacy measures were nominal change in normalized total atheroma volume (TAV) and percentage of patients demonstrating plaque regression. Safety and tolerability were also evaluated. Results Among the 968 treated patients (mean age, 59.8 years [SD, 9.2]; 269 [27.8%] women; mean LDL-C level, 92.5 mg/dL [SD, 27.2]), 846 had evaluable imaging at follow-up. Compared with placebo, the evolocumab group achieved lower mean, time-weighted LDL-C levels (93.0 vs 36.6 mg/dL; difference, -56.5 mg/dL [95% CI, -59.7 to -53.4]; P < .001). The primary efficacy parameter, PAV, increased 0.05% with placebo and decreased 0.95% with evolocumab (difference, -1.0% [95% CI, -1.8% to -0.64%]; P < .001). The secondary efficacy parameter, normalized TAV, decreased 0.9 mm3 with placebo and 5.8 mm3 with evolocumab (difference, -4.9 mm3 [95% CI, -7.3 to -2.5]; P < .001). Evolocumab induced plaque regression in a greater percentage of patients than placebo (64.3% vs 47.3%; difference, 17.0% [95% CI, 10.4% to 23.6%]; P < .001 for PAV and 61.5% vs 48.9%; difference, 12.5% [95% CI, 5.9% to 19.2%]; P < .001 for TAV). Conclusions and Relevance Among patients with angiographic coronary disease treated with statins, addition of evolocumab, compared with placebo, resulted in a greater decrease in PAV after 76 weeks of treatment. Further studies are needed to assess the effects of PCSK9 inhibition on clinical outcomes. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01813422.

Reduction in Lipoprotein(a) With PCSK9 Monoclonal Antibody Evolocumab (AMG 145): A Pooled Analysis of More Than 1,300 Patients in 4 Phase II Trials

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was assess the effect of evolocumab (AMG 145) on lipoprotein (Lp)(a) from a pooled analysis of 4 phase II trials. BACKGROUND Lp(a), a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle linked to the plasminogen-like glycoprotein apolipoprotein(a), shows a consistent and independent positive association with cardiovascular disease risk in epidemiological studies. Current therapeutic options to reduce Lp(a) are limited. METHODS A pooled analysis of data from 1,359 patients in 4 phase II trials assessed the effects of evolocumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody to PCSK9, on Lp(a), the relationship between Lp(a) and lowering of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and apolipoprotein B, and the influence of background statin therapy. Lp(a) was measured using a standardized isoform-independent method. RESULTS Evolocumab treatment for 12 weeks resulted in significant (p < 0.001) mean (95% confidence interval) dose-related reductions in Lp(a) compared to control: 29.5% (23.3% to 35.7%) and 24.5% (20.4% to 28.7%) with 140 mg and 420 mg, dosed every 2 and 4 weeks, respectively, with no plateau of effect. Lp(a) reductions were significantly correlated with percentages of reductions in LDL-C (Spearman correlation coefficient, 0.5134; p < 0.001) and apolipoprotein B (Spearman correlation coefficient, 0.5203; p < 0. 001). Mean percentage reductions did not differ based on age or sex but the trend was greater in those patients taking statins. CONCLUSIONS Inhibition of PCSK9 with evolocumab resulted in significant dose-related reductions in Lp(a). While the mean percentage of reduction was significantly greater in those patients with baseline Lp(a) of ≤125 nmol/l, the absolute reduction was substantially larger in those with levels >125 nmol/l.

Effect of the PCSK9 Monoclonal Antibody, AMG 145, in Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Background— Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia is a rare, serious disorder with a substantial reduction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor function, severely elevated LDL cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, and often death in childhood. Response to conventional drug therapies is modest. Monoclonal antibodies to proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) reduce LDL cholesterol in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. The effect in homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia is unknown and uncertain. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of AMG 145 in an open-label, single-arm, multicenter, dose-scheduling pilot study in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Methods and Results— Eight patients with LDL receptor–negative or –defective homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia on stable drug therapy were treated with subcutaneous 420 mg AMG 145 every 4 weeks for ≥12 weeks, followed by 420 mg AMG 145 every 2 weeks for an additional 12 weeks. All patients completed both treatment periods. Mean change from baseline in LDL cholesterol at week 12 was −16.5% (range, 5.2% to −43.6%; P=0.0781) and −13.9% (range, 39.9% to −43.3%; P=0.1484) with 4- and 2-week dosing, respectively. No reduction was seen in the 2 receptor-negative patients. Over the treatment periods, mean±SD LDL cholesterol reductions in the 6 LDL receptor–defective patients were 19.3±16% and 26.3±20% with 4- and 2-week dosing, respectively (P=0.0313 for both values), ranging from 4% to 48% with 2-week dosing. No serious side effects were reported. Conclusion— This study demonstrates significant and dose-related LDL cholesterol lowering with a PCSK9 monoclonal antibody in homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia patients with defective LDL receptor activity but no reduction in those who were receptor negative. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifiers: NCT01588496 and NCT01624142.

Efficacy and Tolerability of Evolocumab vs Ezetimibe in Patients With Muscle-Related Statin Intolerance: The GAUSS-3 Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE Muscle-related statin intolerance is reported by 5% to 20% of patients. OBJECTIVE To identify patients with muscle symptoms confirmed by statin rechallenge and compare lipid-lowering efficacy for 2 nonstatin therapies, ezetimibe and evolocumab. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Two-stage randomized clinical trial including 511 adult patients with uncontrolled low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and history of intolerance to 2 or more statins enrolled in 2013 and 2014 globally. Phase A used a 24-week crossover procedure with atorvastatin or placebo to identify patients having symptoms only with atorvastatin but not placebo. In phase B, after a 2-week washout, patients were randomized to ezetimibe or evolocumab for 24 weeks. INTERVENTIONS Phase A: atorvastatin (20 mg) vs placebo. Phase B: randomization 2:1 to subcutaneous evolocumab (420 mg monthly) or oral ezetimibe (10 mg daily). MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES Coprimary end points were the mean percent change in LDL-C level from baseline to the mean of weeks 22 and 24 levels and from baseline to week 24 levels. RESULTS Of the 491 patients who entered phase A (mean age, 60.7 [SD, 10.2] years; 246 women [50.1%]; 170 with coronary heart disease [34.6%]; entry mean LDL-C level, 212.3 [SD, 67.9] mg/dL), muscle symptoms occurred in 209 of 491 (42.6%) while taking atorvastatin but not while taking placebo. Of these, 199 entered phase B, along with 19 who proceeded directly to phase B for elevated creatine kinase (N = 218, with 73 randomized to ezetimibe and 145 to evolocumab; entry mean LDL-C level, 219.9 [SD, 72] mg/dL). For the mean of weeks 22 and 24, LDL-C level with ezetimibe was 183.0 mg/dL; mean percent LDL-C change, -16.7% (95% CI, -20.5% to -12.9%), absolute change, -31.0 mg/dL and with evolocumab was 103.6 mg/dL; mean percent change, -54.5% (95% CI, -57.2% to -51.8%); absolute change, -106.8 mg/dL (P < .001). LDL-C level at week 24 with ezetimibe was 181.5 mg/dL; mean percent change, -16.7% (95% CI, -20.8% to -12.5%); absolute change, -31.2 mg/dL and with evolocumab was 104.1 mg/dL; mean percent change, -52.8% (95% CI, -55.8% to -49.8%); absolute change, -102.9 mg/dL (P < .001). For the mean of weeks 22 and 24, between-group difference in LDL-C was -37.8%; absolute difference, -75.8 mg/dL. For week 24, between-group difference in LDL-C was -36.1%; absolute difference, -71.7 mg/dL. Muscle symptoms were reported in 28.8% of ezetimibe-treated patients and 20.7% of evolocumab-treated patients (log-rank P = .17). Active study drug was stopped for muscle symptoms in 5 of 73 ezetimibe-treated patients (6.8%) and 1 of 145 evolocumab-treated patients (0.7%). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Among patients with statin intolerance related to muscle-related adverse effects, the use of evolocumab compared with ezetimibe resulted in a significantly greater reduction in LDL-C levels after 24 weeks. Further studies are needed to assess long-term efficacy and safety. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01984424.

Rationale and design of the Further cardiovascular OUtcomes Research with PCSK9 Inhibition in subjects with Elevated Risk trial

BACKGROUND Despite current therapies, patients with vascular disease remain at high risk for major adverse cardiovascular events. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is a well-established modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. Evolocumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody inhibitor of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 that reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by approximately 60% across various populations. STUDY DESIGN FOURIER is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group, multinational trial testing the hypothesis that adding evolocumab to statin therapy will reduce the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with clinically evident vascular disease. The study population consists of 27,564 patients who have had a myocardial infarction (MI), an ischemic stroke, or symptomatic peripheral artery disease and have a low-density lipoprotein ≥70 mg/dL or a non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥100 mg/dL on an optimized statin regimen. Patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either evolocumab (either 140 mg subcutaneously every 2 weeks or 420 mg subcutaneously every month, according to patient preference) or matching placebo injections. The primary end point is major cardiovascular events defined as the composite of cardiovascular death, MI, stroke, hospitalization for unstable angina, or coronary revascularization. The key secondary end point is the composite of cardiovascular death, MI, or stroke. The trial is planned to continue until at least 1,630 patients experience the secondary end point, thereby providing 90% power to detect a relative reduction of ≥15% in this end point. CONCLUSIONS FOURIER will determine whether the addition of evolocumab to statin therapy reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with vascular disease.