Investigating the Lowest Threshold of Vascular Benefits From LDL Cholesterol Lowering in Patients With Stable CV Disease (INTENSITY-HIGH)

This is an interventional basic science trial for Atherosclerosis focused on measuring Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL), PCSK9, Alirocumab, Flow Mediated Dilatation, Arterial Stiffness, Carotid Intima Media Thickness, Inflammation, Endothelial function, FDG PET-CT, PET-MR, Ezetimibe Read More

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with high risk CVD with LDL-Cholesterol ≤ 4.0mmol* OR patients with very high risk CVD with LDL-Cholesterol ≤3.5mmol/l**
• Male or female patients over 40 years of age inclusive at screening, with a body weight ≥ 45kg and BMI ≥ 18 - ≤ 40kg/m2
• Palpable brachial arterial pulse, as per study team assessment
• History of stable CV disease, defined as previous myocardial infarction (STEMI or NSTEMI), angioplasty, documented CAD (Stress echo, CT coronary angiography or invasive angiography), stroke, TIA or peripheral vascular disease without a recent event in the last 6 months (i.e. acute coronary syndrome, unstable angina, CABG, PCI, stroke, MI, carotid endarterectomy)
• Stable 'suitable statin therapy' over the last 6 weeks as defined by a "statin equivalent" of Simvastatin 80mg od, Rosuvastatin 20mg/40mg od or Atorvastatin 40/80mg od. If not on stable statin therapy, a willingness to commence statin therapy or, if already on statin therapy, a willingness to increase statin therapy to fit the "statin equivalent" dose required in the study (as open label therapy) during run-in period
• Patients not taking Ezetimibe, or, if on Ezetimibe willingness to be washed out prior to randomisation

High risk is defined as a history of any of the following: acute coronary syndrome (such as myocardial infarction or unstable angina requiring hospitalisation), coronary or other arterial revascularisation procedures, chronic heart disease, ischaemic stroke, peripheral arterial disease.

Very high risk is defined as recurrent cardiovascular events or cardiovascular events in more than 1 vascular bed (that is, polyvascular disease).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Uncontrolled hypertension BP > 180/110 mmHg on repeated measurements
• Fasting hypertriglyceridemia with fasting TG>10 mmol/L at screening
• Pregnancy or combined oral contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy or childbearing potential
• Any concomitant condition that, at the discretion of the investigator, may affect the participant's ability to complete the study
• Any known sensitivity to Alirocumab or monoclonal antibodies
• Patients with history of hypersensitivity reactions to any of the study drugs
• History of significant LFT's (3xULN ALT or AST elevation) by previous statin treatment
• History of previous myositis associated with statin treatment (i.e. myalgias or asymptomatic CK elevation > 5 x ULN)
• Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, which is insulin dependent or on oral hypoglycaemics/diet with HbA1c (DCCT) > 8% (OR HbA1c (IFCC) > 64mmol/mol) at screening. Please note: fasting glucose to be checked again at first FDG-PET/CT scan, and if glucose > 11mol/L at that visit, patients will be excluded from the study
• History of any acute CV event within 6 months prior to the screening period
• Rheumatoid arthritis, connective tissue disorders and other conditions known to be associated with active chronic inflammation (e.g. Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
• Untreated hypothyroidism, known autoimmune myositis
• Patients with CKD (defined as eGFR < 30 ml/min/1.73m2) at baseline will be excluded from the study
• Participant in a previous research study in the last 3 years which involved exposure to significant ionising radiation (i.e. cumulative research radiation dose > 5 mSv)
• History of malignancy within the past 5 years (with the exception of localised carcinoma of the skin that has been resected for cure)
• History of alcohol/drug abuse or dependence within 6 months of the study, screening visit 1
• Use of systemic corticosteroids at the time of scanning or a period of 2 weeks prior to screening visit
• Lack of ability to provide informed consent
• An unwillingness for female patients of childbearing potential to use an effective form of contraception (see section 12.2.3)
• Treatment with medications that result in significant drug to drug interactions with study medications. Assignment to a specific statin will be allowed prior to randomisation on a case-to-case basis dependent on the interactions with concomitant medications

Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria for INTENSITY-HIGH PET/MR sub-study (optional)

• Patient meets Inclusion/Exclusion criteria for INTENSITY HIGH
• Patient who fulfills the local imaging centre requirements for being scanned in the PET/MR machine will be enrolled
• Patient is willing to consent to participate in the sub-study