RNA therapeutics
Nordestgaard and Langsted review Lp(a) drugs achieving up to a 106% relative reduction as phase 3 trials near completion (Curr Atheroscler Rep 2024)
Original title: Novel Therapies for Lipoprotein(a): Update in Cardiovascular Risk Estimation and Treatment
This review by leading Lp(a) epidemiologists summarises current evidence establishing Lp(a) as a causal risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality, and reviews the state of therapeutic development given that no available medication yet effectively lowers Lp(a). Guidelines worldwide now recommend measuring Lp(a) once in a lifetime to offer high-Lp(a) patients lifestyle advice and initiate other cardiovascular medications. Clinical trials of antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNAs, and an oral Lp(a) inhibitor have shown reductions of up to 106%, without major adverse effects. The authors note encouraging phase 1 and 2 results and anticipate that ongoing phase 3 trials will determine whether these specific Lp(a)-lowering drugs can be introduced to reduce cardiovascular disease risk.
Original abstract
Purpose Of Review: Lipoprotein(a) is an important causal risk factor for cardiovascular disease but currently no available medication effectively reduces lipoprotein(a). This review discusses recent findings regarding lipoprotein(a) as a causal risk factor and therapeutic target in cardiovascular disease, it reviews current clinical recommendations, and summarizes new lipoprotein(a) lowering drugs.
Recent Findings: Epidemiological and genetic studies have established lipoprotein(a) as a causal risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality. Guidelines worldwide now recommend lipoprotein(a) to be measured once in a lifetime, to offer patients with high lipoprotein(a) lifestyle advise and initiate other cardiovascular medications. Clinical trials including antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNAs, and an oral lipoprotein(a) inhibitor have shown great effect on lowering lipoprotein(a) with reductions up to 106%, without any major adverse effects. Recent clinical phase 1 and 2 trials show encouraging results and ongoing phase 3 trials will hopefully result in the introduction of specific lipoprotein(a) lowering drugs to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Summary written by lp-a.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 18 August 2026. Methods.