APOC-III Antisense Oligonucleotides: A New Option for the Treatment of Hypertriglyceridemia

Title:APOC-III Antisense Oligonucleotides: A New Option for the Treatment of Hypertriglyceridemia

Volume: 25 Issue: 13

Author(s): Joel Schmitz and Ioanna Gouni-Berthold*

Affiliation:

• Polyclinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (PEDP), University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Cologne,Germany

Keywords: Antisense oligonucleotides, apolipoprotein C-III, hypertriglyceridemia, IONIS-ApoCIIIRx, ISIS 304801, ISIS-ApoCIIIRx, triglycerides, volanesorsen.

Abstract: Elevated triglyceride levels (higher than ~1000 mg/dL) are associated with an increased risk for pancreatitis. Apolipoprotein-CIII (apoC-III) plays a key role in the metabolism of triglycerides and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. Loss of function mutations in the gene encoding apoC-III (APOC3) is associated with low triglyceride levels and a decreased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) while overexpression of APOC3 is associated with hypertriglyceridemia. Although many drugs such as fibrates, statins and omega-3 fatty acids modestly decrease triglyceride levels (and apoC-III concentrations), there are many patients who still have severe hypertriglyceridemia and are at increased risk for pancreatitis and potentially for CVD. The antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) against APOC3 mRNA volanesorsen (previously called ISIS 304801, ISIS-ApoCIIIRx and IONIS-ApoCIIIRx) robustly decreases both, apoC-III production and triglyceride concentrations and is being currently evaluated in phase 3 trials. In this narrative review, we present the currently available clinical evidence on the efficacy and safety of volanesorsen for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia.

Cite this article as:

Schmitz Joel and Gouni-Berthold Ioanna *, APOC-III Antisense Oligonucleotides: A New Option for the Treatment of Hypertriglyceridemia, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2018; 25 (13) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867324666170609081612