Balancing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction and hepatotoxicity with lomitapide mesylate and mipomersen in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

Abstract

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) is an autosomal codominant disorder manifested by high concentrations of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and premature cardiovascular disease. Despite conventional lipid-lowering therapy, LDL cholesterol levels remain elevated in patients with HoFH; these patients are considered to be at high risk for cardiovascular events. In 2012-2013, two drugs with novel mechanisms of action were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of HoFH: lomitapide mesylate and mipomersen. Both of these treatments reduce total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein a, and triglyceride levels. This review describes the clinical tradeoffs in efficacy and hepatotoxicity of these drugs in two cases of HoFH.