One dose of experimental drug nearly wipes out stealthy cholesterol in 'remarkable' trial
A single dose of an experimental drug dramatically reduced levels of a deadly form of cholesterol, often thought to be untreatable, for up to one year.
Lipoprotein(a) is a type of cholesterol that lurks in the body, undetected by routine tests and undeterred by existing drugs, diet or exercise.
The findings, cardiologists say, are a critical step toward treating the millions of Americans genetically predisposed to abnormally high levels of lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a).
'It's remarkable,' said Dr. Eric Brandt, director of preventive cardiology at the University of Michigan Health Frankel Cardiovascular Center in Ann Arbor, who wasn't involved with the new research. 'These drugs have the potential to nearly eliminate that lipoprotein.'
People with high levels of Lp(a) — some 64 million adults in the U.S. — are at extremely high risk of cholesterol buildup in their arteries. That buildup raises their odds of heart attack, stroke and early death from cardiovascular problems.
Findings from an earlier trial of the Eli Lilly drug, called lepodisiran, showed the drug was safe.
The latest study, a Phase 2 clinical trial funded by Lilly, included 320 people. One injection, researchers found, cut Lp(a) levels by 93.9% after six months. After a year, the effects waned, but only slightly, with levels measured at 88.5% lower than the baseline. People in the trial who got a second dose at six months had a 94.8% reduction at the one-year mark.
'This is a major source of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality,' said Dr. Steven Nissen, chief academic officer of the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at the Cleveland Clinic and lead researcher of the lepodisiran trial. 'We have never been able to treat lipoprotein(a) until now,' he said.
Lepodisiran works by targeting the mRNA, or messenger RNA, that tells the body to make Lp(a). Messenger RNA carries instructions to proteins in the body to produce certain substances, in this case, Lp(a). The drug works by essentially shooting the messenger.
Nissen's findings were presented Sunday at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology in Chicago and published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Lipoprotein(a) is dangerous in three ways: It sticks to LDL (the 'bad' cholesterol), making it more likely to clog arteries; it's particularly good at causing inflammation; and it tends to lead to blood clots.
Routine blood cholesterol tests could look for Lp(a) but do not — largely because there's never been an effective treatment for it.
A diagnosis of high Lp(a) was a shock to Donald Kosec, 61, of Stow, Ohio. Kosec said he never had any of the typical risk factors for heart disease: He exercised regularly, kept a healthy weight, and checkups with the doctor showed normal cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
Eight years ago, when he was 53, Kosec went to his doctor after feeling a little short of breath. It was only then that he learned all of the major arteries pumping blood to and from his heart were blocked. Elevated Lp(a) was the culprit.
Within three weeks, he was having quintuple bypass surgery.
'Going from not having the care in the world to all of a sudden facing your own death, your own mortality,' Kosec said. 'It caught me off guard, big time.'
He entered a clinical trial for a treatment similar to lepodisiran, from drugmaker Amgen. Early results showed that drug, called olpasiran, drove down Lp(a) by at least 95% within nine months.
It turns out, however, that Kosec got the placebo in the trial — not the real deal. He doesn't know whether his Lp(a) remains elevated. Without further treatment, it likely is.
All he can do now is wait for one of these promising Lp(a) therapies to become available.
'Right now, I'm watching my weight, exercising and doing all of that stuff, and so far so good,' Kosec said. 'I'll be much happier when I can get on a drug that actually improves that.'
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Journals
3 hours ago
- Business Journals
Employers: Use these guidelines to create benefits for the modern workforce
It's impossible to forget the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. It reshaped how we live and work, forcing companies to rapidly adapt to remote models and prioritize health and safety in new ways. The crisis made one thing clear for employers: Affordable, meaningful health care benefits are vital — not only for supporting employees but also for ensuring long-term business stability. In the post-pandemic workplace, high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) continue to present challenges, especially for hourly and lower-wage workers. Recruiting and retaining top talent now hinges on offering benefits that go beyond basic coverage — they must be affordable, accessible and relevant. Employers are shifting from cutting costs to investing in benefits that support the whole person. A new framework: Mind, body, money To meet the demands of today's workforce, I use a simple yet powerful framework to guide benefits strategy: Mind, body and money. These three pillars reflect the needs of employees and can help employers design plans that truly make a difference. 1. Mind: Prioritizing mental health Mental health challenges spiked during the pandemic, and they haven't gone away. Today, one in five adults report struggling with mental health, while nearly a third say they don't have a primary care provider (PCP), leading to overall poor well-being. Telehealth has provided a lifeline, but access to in-network mental health providers remains limited. The need for robust mental health support has never been greater, and addressing it must be a priority. 2. Body: Access and prevention Roughly a third of Americans lack a primary care provider (PCP), leading many to rely on urgent care instead. This not only drives up claim volume and employer costs but also increases the risk of chronic conditions going undetected. Consider this: nearly 40% of Americans are pre-diabetic, and managing diabetes can cost $8,000-$10,000 per person annually. For an employer with 50 employees, that could mean $200,000 in preventable expenses. It's critical to ensure employees have access to high-quality preventive care at a price they can afford. Prevention isn't just a health strategy — it's a financial one. 3. Money: Real incentives that work A recent survey by Imagine360 found that 25% of employees would accept a pay cut in exchange for better benefits. That's a powerful signal. But incentives must go beyond surface-level perks like gym memberships. Instead, they should encourage real engagement with health care — rewarding participation in preventive care, screenings and chronic condition management. At the same time, health care costs are climbing fast — especially when it comes to prescriptions. GLP-1 medications are up 200%-300% year over year, prompting employers to reassess pharmacy strategies. Real savings start with aligning incentives to promote smart utilization. The retirement factor Older employees are increasingly delaying retirement — not because they want to, but because they can't afford to stop working. 28% regularly find themselves out of money before payday arrives. 60% of full-time employees are stressed about finances. 56% of financially stressed employees spend three or more hours a week thinking about finances. Consultants must help employers address this early with smart retirement planning tools like 401(k) plans and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Financial wellness isn't a separate issue — it's deeply tied to mental and physical health. Supporting employees across all three areas helps ensure smoother, more cost-effective transitions into retirement. Implementing reference-based pricing, a sustainable cost strategy Reference-Based Pricing (RBP) has evolved significantly over the years. What was once viewed as a heavy lift for companies and employees is now gaining momentum as a sustainable solution to out-of-control health care costs, and a great experience for employees. Like HSAs, RBP has continued to garner more adoption — and it's delivering real results. With rising health care 'tariffs,' more employers are turning to RBP to regain control. For example, a nursing home with 800-900 employees implemented RBP and saw health care costs drop by 40%. Four years later, they've maintained those savings, and employees have embraced the model.* RBP is particularly effective for companies with high turnover or low plan engagement. It allows employers to lower deductibles and build a more budget-neutral benefits strategy. While switching any health plan carrier requires change management, the right consultants can guide the process and help ensure both employer and employee success. What consultants must do now It's time for consultants to step up. That means vetting vendors rigorously and recommending only those that align with the employer's core goals — whether it's improving retention, reducing costs or boosting care quality. Employees care deeply about their take-home pay and their health. If a benefit strategy isn't working for them, they'll leave. Strong benefits aren't nice to have — they're a competitive advantage and a critical part of your business strategy. Want to talk about building a smarter benefits strategy that works for your team and your budget? Connect with me on LinkedIn.
Buzz Feed
6 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
The 1 Thing That Food Experts Never Eat Or Drink While Traveling Abroad
When you're traveling abroad, you probably have a long list of must-sees and must-dos. Diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps most definitely aren't on that list, but these digestive problems can be all too common. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 30% to 70% of vacationers get traveler's diarrhea, depending on where and when they go. The illness can often (but not always) be prevented by paying close attention to what you eat or drink, and by following the 'boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it' rule. 'Foodborne infections can strike at any time,' Leah Silberman, a registered dietitian with Medical Offices of Manhattan, told HuffPost. 'Traveling exposes you to new food sources, local food handling procedures, and different cleanliness standards. This raises your chances of coming into contact with infections or pollutants, against which your body may not have built protection.' Foods may also be contaminated with unsafe drinking water, or when handwashing isn't the norm or isn't done properly, said Mitzi Baum, CEO of the nonprofit Stop Foodborne Illness. Before traveling, it's a good idea to check the CDC's list of destinations, which highlights food or water safety issues, Baum said. Keep in mind, though, that you can get sick anywhere, including the US. About one in six Americans contract foodborne illness each year, which results in 3,000 deaths and 128,000 hospitalizations, according to the CDC. Travel enhances your risk of getting digestive issues, however. Along with not being acclimated to the foods or encountering different food-handling processes, jet lag and changes in climate can weaken your immune system, Silberman explained. Next time you travel, follow these tips for protecting yourself from traveler's diarrhea. Dietitians and food safety experts explain which foods are more likely to put you at risk for foodborne illness. What Is Traveler's Sickness? Traveler's diarrhea is the most common travel-related illness, and you get it by consuming tainted foods or drinks, according to the CDC. E. coli bacteria is the main culprit, Baum said, but travelers can also get sick from salmonella, shigella, or campylobacter. Viruses, like astrovirus, norovirus, and rotavirus, can also be to blame, as well as the parasite giardia. It often happens in instances of poor food handling, a lack of sanitation, or contaminated drinking water, Silberman said. Diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, vomiting, and fever are the most common symptoms of traveler's diarrhea, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Symptoms of viral or bacterial infections typically show up within six to 24 hours, but parasites can take a few weeks to show signs. The highest-risk destinations are Asia (except for Japan and South Korea), the Middle East, Africa, Mexico, and Central and South America, according to the CDC. Washing your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom and before eating, can reduce your risk, Baum said. Foods And Drinks To Avoid When Traveling Abroad You can actually get foodborne illness from any food or beverage. But some might be riskier than others, depending on where you travel. Food safety measures, sanitary standards, and culinary habits vary in different parts of the world, Silberman said. Your best bet is to research food safety and health risks for your destination. But here are some foods and drinks to consider avoiding. Raw fish and meat Raw meat and seafood are a 'big no-no,' according to Vanessa Rissetto, a registered dietitian and co-founder and CEO of Culina Health. 'We can't source where they came from, how long they've been out, and how they've been handled.' Rare steaks, tartare, sushi, ceviche or raw seafood, or inadequately prepared meat, fish, or seafood can increase your risk for consuming bacteria, parasites, or viruses, Silberman said. Fresh fruits and vegetables Fresh fruits and vegetables that seem to have been sitting out for a while could attract germs that might make you sick, Rissetto said. Opt for cooked produce when you can, which will ensure that it reaches temperatures high enough to kill pathogens. 'If you're going to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, they are safest when washed with potable water and peeled by the person who eats them,' Baum added. Also, choose fruits and vegetables with thick skins — like bananas, oranges or avocados — that can be peeled, Silberman said. 'Peel them yourself to reduce the possibility of eating pathogens.' Dairy Pasteurized milk and dairy products from sealed containers are usually safe to consume, according to the CDC. But unpasteurized items, including cheese, yogurt, or ice cream, are more likely to contain hazardous germs, like listeria, salmonella, or E. coli, Silberman said. It's also a good idea to avoid dairy that's been stored at room temperature or left out, such as cream for coffee. Tap water Alberto Masnovo / Getty Images Contaminated water is a big cause of traveler's diarrhea. 'Since pathogens aren't visible to the naked eye, it's hard to tell if the water is safe to drink,' Baum said. To learn about the safety of tap water in your destination, visit the CDC's travelers' health website, where you can search by country. Whenever you're not sure about the safety of water, drink factory-sealed bottled water and remove ice from your drinks, Baum said. You can also boil water for at least a minute. Be careful not to swallow any water in the shower if you're visiting a place where the water isn't safe to drink, and use bottled water to brush your teeth, Rissetto said. Certain types of street food DigiPub / Getty Images Sampling food from street vendors is a fun way to sample local cuisine, but the CDC warns that some may not adhere to the same safety practices — like hand-washing and checking food temperatures — as restaurants. It's always best to avoid foods and drinks that seem to be sitting around for a while. Items that come straight off a grill, for instance, that are piping hot and cooked are likely safer. What If You Get Sick While Traveling? If, despite your best efforts, you do get a case of traveler's diarrhea, it's usually not serious. But it can persist for a few days or a week (longer if it's caused by a parasite), ruining your trip. Silberman offered these tips for taking care of yourself if that happens: Stay hydrated. Diarrhea and vomiting can be dehydrating, so drink lots of bottled water or other safe fluids. Take an over-the-counter medication. Antidiarrheals, like loperamide (Imodium), or anti-nausea drugs, like dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), help relieve symptoms. Talk to a healthcare expert first, though, especially if you're taking other medications. See a doctor. If your symptoms aren't going away, they're severe, or you also have a fever, bloody stool, or dehydration, seek medical attention. Call your doctor when you get home if you still have symptoms or if you have an underlying medical condition. No one wants to get sick while traveling, of course. But remember that foodborne illness can happen anywhere, Rissetto noted. 'If we go on vacation overly worried about every single thing we're eating, we might not be able to truly enjoy the experience,' she said. 'You can determine what's right for you in the moment.'
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Collins calls Kennedy's firing of vaccine experts ‘excessive'
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) on Monday called Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s firing of all 17 experts on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) vaccine panel 'excessive,' but she cautioned she needs to learn more about the decision. Kennedy announced the decision in an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, catching many GOP lawmakers by surprise. 'I did not know that that had happened,' Collins, a senior member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, said. 'It seems to me to be excessive to ask for everybody's resignations, but I can't judge because I don't know who he's replacing them with.' The Maine senator said the CDC's vaccine advisory committee 'provided helpful guidance to the public on what they should do.' Collins said that Kennedy didn't promise members of the HELP Committee that he would keep the vaccine experts in place. 'I'm just learning about it for the first time,' she said. 'I don't know what the basis was.' Kennedy said in his Wall Street Journal column that he removed the experts so that President Trump could shape the membership of the committee. 'Without removing the current members, the current Trump administration would not have been able to appoint a majority of new members until 2028,' he wrote. Kennedy argued that vaccines have become 'a divisive issue in American politics' and that public confidence is waning' in health agencies, pharmaceutical companies and vaccines themselves. 'That is why, under my direction, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is putting the restoration of public trust above any pro- or antivaccine agenda. The public must know that unbiased science guides the recommendations from our health agencies. This will ensure the American people receive the safest vaccines possible,' he wrote. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) in a statement blasted Kennedy's move as 'reckless.' 'RFK Jr. and the Trump administration are taking a wrecking ball to the programs that keep Americans safe and healthy. Firing experts that have spent their entire lives protecting kids from deadly disease is not reform — it's reckless, radical, and rooted in conspiracy, not science,' Schumer said in a statement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
