Effect of the BET Protein Inhibitor, RVX-208, on Progression of Coronary Atherosclerosis: Results of the Phase 2b, Randomized, Double-Blind, Multicenter, ASSURE Trial

Stephen J. Nicholls, Rishi Puri, Kathy Wolski, Christie M. Ballantyne, Philip J. Barter, H. Bryan Brewer, John J.P. Kastelein, Bo Hu, Kiyoko Uno, Yu Kataoka, Jean Paul R. Herrman, Bela Merkely, Marilyn Borgman, Steven E. Nissen

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Abstract

Background: Bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins regulate transcription of lipoprotein and inflammatory factors implicated in atherosclerosis. The impact of BET inhibition on atherosclerosis progression is unknown. Methods: ASSURE was a double-blind, randomized, multicenter trial in which 323 patients with angiographic coronary disease and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were randomized in a 3:1 fashion to treatment with the BET protein inhibitor RVX-208 200 mg or placebo for 26 weeks. Plaque progression was measured with serial intravascular ultrasound imaging. Lipid levels, safety, and tolerability were also assessed. Results: During treatment, apolipoprotein (apo)A-I increased by 10.6 % with placebo (P < 0.001 compared with baseline) and 12.8 % with RVX-208 (P < 0.001 compared with baseline), between groups P = 0.18. HDL-C increased by 9.1 % with placebo (P < 0.001 compared with baseline) and 11.1 % with RVX-208 (P < 0.001 compared with baseline), between groups P = 0.24. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) decreased by 17.9 % with placebo (P < 0.001 compared with baseline) and 15.8 % with RVX-208 (P < 0.001 compared with baseline), between groups P = 0.55. The primary endpoint, the change in percent atheroma volume, decreased 0.30 % in placebo-treated patients (P = 0.23 compared with baseline) and 0.40 % in the RVX-208 group (P = 0.08 compared with baseline), between groups P = 0.81. Total atheroma volume decreased 3.8 mm3 in the placebo group (P = 0.01 compared with baseline) and 4.2 mm3 in the RVX-208 group (P < 0.001 compared with baseline), P = 0.86 between groups. A greater incidence of elevated liver enzymes was observed in RVX-208-treated patients (7.1 vs. 0 %, P = 0.009). Conclusion: Administration of the BET protein inhibitor RVX-208 showed no greater increase in apoA-I or HDL-C or incremental regression of atherosclerosis than administration of placebo. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier—NCT01067820.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)55-65
Number of pages11
JournalAmerican Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs
Volume16
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2016
Externally publishedYes

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