PCSK9 and HMGCR Genetic Variants and Risk for Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes

The reduction in cardiovascular risk and increase in diabetes risk were similar for genetic variants that mimic the effect of PCSK9 inhibitors and those that mimic statin effects.

Inhibitors of proprotein convertase subtilisin–kexin type 9 (PCSK9) dramatically lower LDL cholesterol (LDL-c) levels, but how much these decreases affect cardiovascular or diabetes risks remains unknown. To gain insight, investigators examined data on 112,772 previously genotyped participants from 14 studies. The authors created an algorithm scoring the number of PCSK9 and HMGCR genetic variants (mimicking the effect of PCSK9 inhibitors and statins, respectively) and grouped the participants by these scores. They compared the effects of lower LDL-c levels, mediated by these variants, on the risks for cardiovascular events (a composite of myocardial infarction and death from coronary heart disease) and diabetes.

The PCSK9 and HMGCR variants …

Reviewing Author

Karol E. Watson, MD, PhD, FACC

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBoehringer Ingelheim; Amgen; Novartis; Lilly; Amarin

Speaker’s BureauBoehringer Ingelheim

Grant/Research SupportNIH

Editorial BoardsCirculation (Associate Editor)