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Aortic StenosisPhase 3NCT04968509

Effect of PCSK9 Inhibitors on Calcific Aortic Valve Stenosis

A Phase 3 study testing PCSK9 inhibitors and statins with or without ezetimibe and Statins with or without ezetimibe in people with Aortic Stenosis, run by Beijing Anzhen Hospital at 1 site in China.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

Calcific aortic stenosis (CAS) can cause severe adverse cardiac events, but there are currently no effective drugs that can prevent or delay the progression of the disease. In fact, aortic valve replacement remains the only treatment option. CAS has been shown to be associated with Lp(a), LDL-C and PCSK9. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Aortic Stenosis
What is being tested?
PCSK9 inhibitors and statins with or without ezetimibe and Statins with or without ezetimibe
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
160 participants
Where
1 siteChina
Study dates
22 Mar 2024to Jan 2028
Phase
Phase 3
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Patients older than 18 years of age with mild or moderate calcific aortic stenosis (peak aortic jet velocity ≥ 2m/s and < 4m/s or mean transvalvular gradients ≥ 20mmHg and < 40mmHg), or asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis (peak aortic jet velocity ≥ 4m/s or mean transvalvular gradients ≥ 40mmHg and no symptoms and/or signs related to aortic stenosis and negative exercise treadmill test)
  • Patients who are required to be treated with a stable statin (atorvastatin or rosuvastatin) dose for at least 4 weeks and to have an LDL-C level of 80 mg/dL or higher or between 60 and 80 mg/dL (to convert LDL-C values to mmol/L, multiply by 0.0259) with 1 major or 3 minor cardiovascular risk factors. Major risk factors include atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, myocardial infarction or hospitalization for unstable angina in the preceding 2 years, or type 2 diabetes mellitus. Minor risk factors include current cigarette smoking, hypertension, low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, family history of premature coronary heart disease, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) level of 2 mg/L or higher (to convert hsCRP values to nmol/L, multiply by 9.524), or age 50 years or older for men and 55 years or older for women
  • Patients agree to participate in the study by signing an informed consent form

Who cannot join

  • Any previous treatment with PCSK9 inhibitors
  • Patients who must be treated with long-term PCSK9 inhibitors
  • Patients who cannot maintain statin and/or PCSK9 inhibitor use for 24 months
  • Hypersensitivity to PCSK9 inhibitors and/or statin
  • Fasting triglyceride (TG) levels > 400mg/dL (4.5 mmol/L) at screening
  • Thyroid hypofunction
Show all 21Show fewer
  • Active or chronic liver disease
  • Severe renal dysfunction (eGFR < 30 ml/min/1.73m2)
  • History of cerebral hemorrhage
  • History of alcohol or drug abuse
  • Known active infection, or major hematological, metabolic, or endocrine dysfunction
  • Patients who have been treated with systemic steroids or cyclosporine within the past 3 months
  • Active malignant tumor
  • Any life-threatening condition with life expectancy less than 12 months
  • Severe mitral stenosis (valve area<1cm2)
  • Severe mitral or aortic regurgitation
  • Patients who are scheduled to undergo heart valve surgery
  • Left ventricular ejection fraction < 30% or severe heart failure (NYHA class III or IV)
  • The presence of a permanent pacemaker or defibrillator
  • Arrhythmias that are not controlled by drugs
  • Child-bearing potential without contraception

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

China1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University

    Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100000

    Zhijian Wang

    Recruiting

Other trials in China

About this study

Official title: A Randomized Trial of PCSK9 Inhibitors in Calcific Aortic Valve Stenosis

Calcific aortic stenosis (CAS) can cause severe adverse cardiac events, but there are currently no effective drugs that can prevent or delay the progression of the disease. In fact, aortic valve replacement remains the only treatment option.

CAS has been shown to be associated with Lp(a), LDL-C and PCSK9. Several observational studies indicated that the use of statins to decrease LDL-C levels was associated with the reduced incidence of CAS, but no randomized controlled trials (RCTs) showd that statins had any benefit on the progression of CAS. This may be related to the limited reduction of LDL-C by statin therapy. The proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors have emerged as a new lipid-lowering drug. On the basis of statin therapy, PCSK9 inhibitors can further reduce LDL-C and Lp(a) levels by 50% to 60% and 20% to 30%, respectively. Some studies reported that elevated plasma PCSK9 levels were related to CAS and PCSK9 R46L loss-of-function mutation was associated with lower rates of CAS, and importantly, some observational studies found that PCSK9 inhibitors could reduce the incidence of CAS.

Read more

Our trial aims to investigate the effect of PCSK9 inhibitors on preventing or delaying the progression of CAS. A total of 160 patients with mild or moderate CAS or asymptomatic severe AS will be randomly assigned to receive either statins or PCSK9 inhibitors+statins. All patients will be followed for at least 2 years at 3, 6,9,12,15,18,21,24 months after randomization. Quality of life (EQ-5D-3L including the EUROQOL visual analogue scale) questionnaires were gathered during each visit. Echocardiography and computer tomography were performed and blood samples were withdrawn at baseline, at 2 years visit, and before withdrawal from the study.

The primary endpoint is the average annual change in peak aortic jet velocity on echocardiography. The secondary endpoints include average annual change in aortic valve area on echocardiography, average annual change in aortic valve calcification score on cardiac non-contrast computer tomography, heart valve surgery, change in quality-of-life scores, and average annual change in aortic and coronary artery calcification. Safety endpoints include all-cause death and cardiovascular events.

The results of this trial will provide a new idea for the treatment of patients with CAS.

Conditions
Aortic Stenosis
Being tested
PCSK9 inhibitors and statins with or without ezetimibe, Statins with or without ezetimibe
Keywords
PCSK9 Inhibitors, Calcific Aortic Stenosis
Medical subject headings
Aortic Valve Stenosis, Aortic Valve, Calcification of

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • PCSK9 inhibitors and statins with or without ezetimibeDrug

    Also called Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors, Hydroxymethylglutaryl-Coenzyme A Reductase inhibitors, Ezetimibe

    Patients in experimental group are treated with PCSK9 inhibitors (140mg with Evolocumab or 75mg with Alirocumab or 150mg with Tafolecimab subcutaneously every two weeks) and conventional lipid-lowering therapy based on statins (atorvastatin 20-40mg qd with or without ezetimibe 10mg qd, or rosuvastatin 10-20mg qd with or without ezetimibe 10mg qd).

  • Statins with or without ezetimibeDrug

    Also called Hydroxymethylglutaryl-Coenzyme A Reductase inhibitors, Ezetimibe

    Patients in control group are only treated with conventional lipid-lowering therapy based on statins (atorvastatin 20-40mg qd with or without ezetimibe 10mg qd, or rosuvastatin 10-20mg qd with or without ezetimibe 10mg qd).

Study groups in NCT04968509
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Treatment with PCSK9 inhibitors and conventional lipid-lowering therapy based on statinsExperimentalPatients in experimental group are treated with PCSK9 inhibitors (140mg with Evolocumab or 75mg with Alirocumab or 150mg with Tafolecimab subcutaneously every two weeks) and conventional lipid-lowering therapy based on statins (atorvastatin 20-40mg qd with or without ezetimibe 10mg qd, or rosuvastatin 10-20mg qd with or without ezetimibe 10mg qd).
Receives: Drug: PCSK9 inhibitors and statins with or without ezetimibe
Treatment with only conventional lipid-lowering therapy based on statinsOtherPatients in control group are only treated with conventional lipid-lowering therapy based on statins (atorvastatin 20-40mg qd with or without ezetimibe 10mg qd, or rosuvastatin 10-20mg qd with or without ezetimibe 10mg qd).
Receives: Drug: Statins with or without ezetimibe

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. The average annual change in peak aortic jet velocity

    The peak aortic jet velocity is measured by echocardiography.

    Measured: Up to 24 months

Secondary outcomes (4)
  1. The average annual change in aortic valve area

    The aortic valve area is measured by echocardiography.

    Measured: Up to 24 months

  2. The average annual change in aortic valve calcification score

    The aortic valve calcification score is measured by cardiac noncontrast computer tomography.

    Measured: Up to 24 months

  3. Heart valve surgery

    Transcatheter aortic valve implantation or surgical aortic valve replacement

    Measured: Up to 24 months

  4. Change in quality-of-life scores

    Change in quality-of-life scores is assessed with the use of the EQ-5D-3L scale

    Measured: Up to 24 months

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted20 Jul 2021
  2. Study start22 Mar 2024
  3. Primary completionDec 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completionJan 2028 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 3
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
160 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04968509
Sponsor's protocol ID
EPISODE
Other IDs
2022-2-1052
Status last verified
May 2024
First submitted
4 Jul 2021
Last updated
9 May 2024
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Lindman BR, Clavel MA, Mathieu P, Iung B, Lancellotti P, Otto CM, Pibarot P. Calcific aortic stenosis. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2016 Mar 3;2:16006. doi: 10.1038/nrdp.2016.6.

    PubMed 27188578
  • Rajamannan NM, Evans FJ, Aikawa E, Grande-Allen KJ, Demer LL, Heistad DD, Simmons CA, Masters KS, Mathieu P, O'Brien KD, Schoen FJ, Towler DA, Yoganathan AP, Otto CM. Calcific aortic valve disease: not simply a degenerative process: A review and agenda for research from the National Heart and Lung and Blood Institute Aortic Stenosis Working Group. Executive summary: Calcific aortic valve disease-2011 update. Circulation. 2011 Oct 18;124(16):1783-91. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.110.006767. No abstract available.

    PubMed 22007101
  • Smith JG, Luk K, Schulz CA, Engert JC, Do R, Hindy G, Rukh G, Dufresne L, Almgren P, Owens DS, Harris TB, Peloso GM, Kerr KF, Wong Q, Smith AV, Budoff MJ, Rotter JI, Cupples LA, Rich S, Kathiresan S, Orho-Melander M, Gudnason V, O'Donnell CJ, Post WS, Thanassoulis G; Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genetic Epidemiology (CHARGE) Extracoronary Calcium Working Group. Association of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-related genetic variants with aortic valve calcium and incident aortic stenosis. JAMA. 2014 Nov 5;312(17):1764-71. doi: 10.1001/jama.2014.13959.

    PubMed 25344734
  • Thanassoulis G, Campbell CY, Owens DS, Smith JG, Smith AV, Peloso GM, Kerr KF, Pechlivanis S, Budoff MJ, Harris TB, Malhotra R, O'Brien KD, Kamstrup PR, Nordestgaard BG, Tybjaerg-Hansen A, Allison MA, Aspelund T, Criqui MH, Heckbert SR, Hwang SJ, Liu Y, Sjogren M, van der Pals J, Kalsch H, Muhleisen TW, Nothen MM, Cupples LA, Caslake M, Di Angelantonio E, Danesh J, Rotter JI, Sigurdsson S, Wong Q, Erbel R, Kathiresan S, Melander O, Gudnason V, O'Donnell CJ, Post WS; CHARGE Extracoronary Calcium Working Group. Genetic associations with valvular calcification and aortic stenosis. N Engl J Med. 2013 Feb 7;368(6):503-12. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1109034.

    PubMed 23388002
  • Rajamannan NM, Subramaniam M, Springett M, Sebo TC, Niekrasz M, McConnell JP, Singh RJ, Stone NJ, Bonow RO, Spelsberg TC. Atorvastatin inhibits hypercholesterolemia-induced cellular proliferation and bone matrix production in the rabbit aortic valve. Circulation. 2002 Jun 4;105(22):2660-5. doi: 10.1161/01.cir.0000017435.87463.72.

    PubMed 12045173
  • Weiss RM, Ohashi M, Miller JD, Young SG, Heistad DD. Calcific aortic valve stenosis in old hypercholesterolemic mice. Circulation. 2006 Nov 7;114(19):2065-9. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.106.634139. Epub 2006 Oct 30.

    PubMed 17075015
  • Cowell SJ, Newby DE, Prescott RJ, Bloomfield P, Reid J, Northridge DB, Boon NA; Scottish Aortic Stenosis and Lipid Lowering Trial, Impact on Regression (SALTIRE) Investigators. A randomized trial of intensive lipid-lowering therapy in calcific aortic stenosis. N Engl J Med. 2005 Jun 9;352(23):2389-97. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa043876.

    PubMed 15944423
  • Chan KL, Teo K, Dumesnil JG, Ni A, Tam J; ASTRONOMER Investigators. Effect of Lipid lowering with rosuvastatin on progression of aortic stenosis: results of the aortic stenosis progression observation: measuring effects of rosuvastatin (ASTRONOMER) trial. Circulation. 2010 Jan 19;121(2):306-14. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.109.900027. Epub 2010 Jan 4.

    PubMed 20048204
  • Rossebo AB, Pedersen TR, Boman K, Brudi P, Chambers JB, Egstrup K, Gerdts E, Gohlke-Barwolf C, Holme I, Kesaniemi YA, Malbecq W, Nienaber CA, Ray S, Skjaerpe T, Wachtell K, Willenheimer R; SEAS Investigators. Intensive lipid lowering with simvastatin and ezetimibe in aortic stenosis. N Engl J Med. 2008 Sep 25;359(13):1343-56. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa0804602. Epub 2008 Sep 2.

    PubMed 18765433
  • Bergmark BA, O'Donoghue ML, Murphy SA, Kuder JF, Ezhov MV, Ceska R, Gouni-Berthold I, Jensen HK, Tokgozoglu SL, Mach F, Huber K, Gaciong Z, Lewis BS, Schiele F, Jukema JW, Pedersen TR, Giugliano RP, Sabatine MS. An Exploratory Analysis of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 Inhibition and Aortic Stenosis in the FOURIER Trial. JAMA Cardiol. 2020 Jun 1;5(6):709-713. doi: 10.1001/jamacardio.2020.0728.

    PubMed 32347887
  • Capoulade R, Cariou B. Editorial commentary: Lp(a) and calcific aortic valve stenosis: Direct LPA targeting or PCSK9-Lowering therapy? Trends Cardiovasc Med. 2021 Jul;31(5):312-314. doi: 10.1016/j.tcm.2020.06.009. Epub 2020 Jul 2. No abstract available.

    PubMed 32623063
  • Poggio P, Songia P, Cavallotti L, Barbieri SS, Zanotti I, Arsenault BJ, Valerio V, Ferri N, Capoulade R, Camera M. PCSK9 Involvement in Aortic Valve Calcification. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018 Dec 18;72(24):3225-3227. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2018.09.063. No abstract available.

    PubMed 30545459
  • Perrot N, Valerio V, Moschetta D, Boekholdt SM, Dina C, Chen HY, Abner E, Martinsson A, Manikpurage HD, Rigade S, Capoulade R, Mass E, Clavel MA, Le Tourneau T, Messika-Zeitoun D, Wareham NJ, Engert JC, Polvani G, Pibarot P, Esko T, Smith JG, Mathieu P, Thanassoulis G, Schott JJ, Bosse Y, Camera M, Theriault S, Poggio P, Arsenault BJ. Genetic and In Vitro Inhibition of PCSK9 and Calcific Aortic Valve Stenosis. JACC Basic Transl Sci. 2020 Jul 1;5(7):649-661. doi: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2020.05.004. eCollection 2020 Jul.

    PubMed 32760854
  • Zheng Y, Li Q, Yang Y, Yang J, Liu Z, Ma X, Wang Z. Rationale and Design of the EPISODE Trial: A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effect of PCSK9 Inhibitors in Calcific Aortic Valve Stenosis. J Am Heart Assoc. 2025 Oct 7;14(19):e042112. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.125.042112. Epub 2025 Sep 19.

    PubMed 40970544

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 3 study testing PCSK9 inhibitors and statins with or without ezetimibe and Statins with or without ezetimibe in people with Aortic Stenosis, run by Beijing Anzhen Hospital at 1 site in China.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 21 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 May 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in China. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 3 studies compare the treatment with the current standard treatment or a placebo in a large group, to confirm how well it works and watch for side effects.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Zhijian Wang (+8615711057972, zjwang1975@hotmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

The average annual change in peak aortic jet velocity (time frame: Up to 24 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04968509, which also lists 14 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 9 May 2024.

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