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Background: Because of variability in lipoprotein cholesterol content, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol frequently underrepresents or overrepresents the number of LDL particles. Mipomersen is an antisense oligonucleotide that reduces hepatic production of apolipoprotein B-100, the sole apolipoprotein of LDL., Objective: To characterize the effects of mipomersen on lipoprotein particle numbers as well as subclass distribution using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy., Methods: We compared the tertiary results for the direct measurement of LDL particle numbers by NMR among 4 placebo-controlled, phase 3 studies of mipomersen that had similar study designs but different patient populations: homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), severe hypercholesterolemia, heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia with established coronary artery disease, or hypercholesterolemia with high risk for coronary heart disease (HC-CHD)., Results: HoFH patients had the highest median total LDL particles at baseline compared with HC-CHD patients, who had the lowest. At baseline, the HoFH population uniquely had a greater mean percentage of large LDL particles (placebo, 60.2%; mipomersen, 54.9%) compared with small LDL particles (placebo, 33.1%; mipomersen, 38.9%). In all 4 studies, mipomersen was associated with greater reductions from baseline in the concentrations of small LDL particles compared with those of large LDL particles, and both total LDL particles and small LDL particles were statistically significantly reduced., Conclusions: Mipomersen consistently reduced all LDL particle numbers and preferentially reduced the concentration of small LDL particles in all 4 phase 3 studies., (Copyright © 2015 National Lipid Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Managing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is an integral part of clinical practice. What remains controversial is whether we are using the best measure of LDL quantity for this purpose. Historically, the cholesterol content of LDL particles (LDLC) has been used to express LDL quantity. However, because of variability in the cholesterol carried in LDL particles, frequent disagreement occurs between LDLC and particle measures of LDL quantity, including apolipoprotein B-100 (apo B) or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) LDL particle number (LDL-P). Studies consistently demonstrate apo B and LDL-P are superior predictors of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk and superior indicators of low CHD risk on lipid-lowering therapy. Recent recommendations advocate that, in addition to LDLC and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apo B (or NMR LDL-P) be used as a target of therapy. This article reviews the rationale supporting these recommendations and provides a model for integrating LDL particle measures in clinical practice.