title: Inhibition of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein alone or with ezetimibe in patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many patients with coronary heart disease do not achieve recommended LDL-cholesterol levels, due to either intolerance or inadequate response to available lipid-lowering therapy. Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) inhibitors might provide an alternative way to lower LDL-cholesterol levels. We tested the safety and LDL-cholesterol-lowering efficacy of an MTP inhibitor, AEGR-733 (Aegerion Pharmaceuticals Inc., Bridgewater, NJ), alone and in combination with ezetimibe.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a multicenter, double-blind, 12-week trial, which included 84 patients with hypercholesterolemia. Patients were randomly assigned ezetimibe 10 mg daily (n = 29); AEGR-733 5.0 mg daily for the first 4 weeks, 7.5 mg daily for the second 4 weeks and 10 mg daily for the last 4 weeks (n = 28); or ezetimibe 10 mg daily and AEGR-733 administered with the dose titration described above (n = 28).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ezetimibe monotherapy led to a 20-22% decrease in LDL-cholesterol concentrations. AEGR-733 monotherapy led to a dose-dependent decrease in LDL-cholesterol concentration: 19% at 5.0 mg, 26% at 7.5 mg and 30% at 10 mg. Combined therapy produced similar but larger dose-dependent decreases (35%, 38% and 46%, respectively). The number of patients who discontinued study drugs owing to adverse events was five with ezetimibe alone, nine with AEGR-733 alone, and four with combined ezetimibe and AEGR-733. Discontinuations from AEGR-733 were due primarily to mild transaminase elevations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inhibition of LDL production with low-dose AEGR-733, either alone or in combination with ezetimibe, could be an effective therapeutic option for patients unable to reach target LDL-cholesterol levels.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA. rick.samaha@va.gov
authors.forename: Frederick F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Samaha
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McKenney
authors.forename: Leanne T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Bloedon
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Sasiela
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Rader
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001384:Azetidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D000069438:Ezetimibe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008861:Microsomes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D001384:Azetidines; C473731:BMS201038; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; C106092:microsomal triglyceride transfer protein; D000069438:Ezetimibe