Kausik Ray, MD, MPhil: INTERASPIRE and the Expanding Knowledge Base for Lipoprotein(a)

Few topics or biomarkers have garnered the same amount of attention for their association with cardiovascular risk in recent years as lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]. This trend continued at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2024, as the cardiology community and lipidologists had their knowledge on the topic expanded through the presentation of novel data, including the INTERASPIRE study, which was presented by Kausik Ray, MD, MPhil, professor of Public Heath, director of the Imperial Centre for CVD Prevention, deputy director of Imperial Clinical Trials Unit and head of Commercial Trials at Imperial College London.

An international survey designed to assess Lp(a) levels in patients recently diagnosed with coronary heart disease across multiple countries and regions, INTERASPIRE leveraged data from 13 countries, including information related to testing methodologies, patient interviews and central lab analyses. The study's primary objectives were to determine how elevated Lp(a) is in patients with recent coronary heart disease across 6 World Health Organization regions, assessing variation between countries within these regions, and drawing inferences about ongoing and future clinical trials. The study also aimed to identify the determinants of Lp(a) levels in a global coronary heart disease population and to explore the extent to which lifestyle and risk factor management can mitigate the risks associated with high Lp(a) levels.

Key conclusions from the study indicated the median Lp(a) levels for many patients with recent coronary heart disease were well below the threshold considered to increase ASCVD risk. According to the data, the proportion of patients potentially eligible for Lp(a)-lowering therapies based on trial eligibility criteria varied significantly by country, ranging from 6.2% to 13.0%. Ray pointed out the findings suggest a critical need for ongoing risk factor management and highlight the importance of directly measuring Lp(a) to address the excess risk in coronary heart disease patients.

For more on the presentation at ESC Congress 2024, check out our interview with Ray.

Relevant disclosures for Ray include AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly and Company, Esperion Therapeutics, Novartis, NewAmsterdam, Novo Nordisk, and others.

References:

K Ray. A global perspective of Lp(a) levels in patients with coronary heart disease - Implications for risk factor control & future trials from the INTERASPIRE Study. Presented at: European Society of Cardiology Congress 2024. August 30 - September 2, 2024. London, UK.