[HTML][HTML] Development of novel DNA-encoded PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies as lipid-lowering therapeutics

M Khoshnejad, A Patel, K Wojtak, SB Kudchodkar… - Molecular Therapy, 2019 - cell.com
M Khoshnejad, A Patel, K Wojtak, SB Kudchodkar, L Humeau, NN Lyssenko, DJ Rader…
Molecular Therapy, 2019cell.com
Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is one of the major contributors to
cardiovascular heart disease (CHD), the leading cause of death worldwide. Due to severe
side effects of statins, alternative treatment strategies are required for statin-intolerant
patients. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type
9 (PCSK9) have shown great efficacy in LDL-C reduction. Limitations for this approach
include the need for multiple injections as well as increased costs associated with patient …
Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is one of the major contributors to cardiovascular heart disease (CHD), the leading cause of death worldwide. Due to severe side effects of statins, alternative treatment strategies are required for statin-intolerant patients. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) have shown great efficacy in LDL-C reduction. Limitations for this approach include the need for multiple injections as well as increased costs associated with patient management. Here, we engineered a DNA-encoded mAb (DMAb) targeting PCSK9 (daPCSK9), as an alternative approach to protein-based lipid-lowering therapeutics, and we characterized its expression and activity. A single intramuscular administration of mouse daPCSK9 generated expression in vivo for over 42 days that corresponded with a substantial decrease of 28.6% in non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) and 10.3% in total cholesterol by day 7 in wild-type mice. Repeated administrations of the DMAb plasmid led to increasing expression, with DMAb levels of 7.5 μg/mL at day 62. daPCSK9 therapeutics may provide a novel, simple, less frequent, cost-effective approach to reducing LDL-C, either as a stand-alone therapy or in combination with other LDL-lowering therapeutics for synergistic effect.
cell.com