Profile of evolocumab and its cost-effectiveness in patients with high cardiovascular risk: literature review
ABSTRACT Introduction: Evolocumab is fully human monoclonal antibody which binds to proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), and prevents its blocking effect on recycling of liver low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors. Areas covered: The aim of this review is to assess efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of evolocumab in adult patients with high cardiovascular risk. Major research databases MEDLINE, EBSCO, and CENTRAL were systematically searched for relevant study reports. Expert commentary: Even when given in full doses, statins augmented with ezetimibe and cholesterol-binding resins could not reduce cholesterol baseline level for more than 66%, while evolocumab reduces cholesterol level for 75% or even more. Up to now, evolocumab showed good safety profile, and patents tolerate it very well. The abovementioned advantages of evolocumab made it almost ideal drug for hypercholesterolemia, and probably in the future the best drug for secondary prevention of major cardiovascular events. Evolocumab is borderline cost-effective for the treatment of patients with high cardiovascular risk in European countries, while in the U.S.A. it is under debate where the underlying assumption (risk of cardiovascular disease events) determine the true value.