The Study
Effects of AMG 145 on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels: results from 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, ascending-dose phase 1 studies in healthy volunteers and hypercholesterolemic subjects on statins.
This study is like a fair science experiment where some people got the real medicine and others got a fake one, and no one knew who got what. It shows the medicine really does lower bad cholesterol, at least for a few weeks.
Analysis score
Maximum 90 for a randomized controlled trial.
Where the score came from
This study tested a new medicine called AMG 145 that helps lower bad cholesterol in people's blood.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 563 / 100
Quality score
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or control groups, minimizing bias. The gold standard for testing whether an intervention causes an effect.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1Yes, these drops in cholesterol could help protect people from heart disease, especially those who still have high levels even on statins.
- 2One shot of AMG 145 lowered bad cholesterol by up to 64%.
- 3Taking it weekly lowered it by up to 81%.
- 4It also lowered other harmful fats in the blood.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
Year
2012
Authors
C. Dias, A. Shaywitz, S. Wasserman, Brian Smith, Bing Gao, Dina Stolman, C. Crispino, K. Smirnakis, M. Emery, A. Colbert, J. Gibbs, M. Retter, Blaire P. Cooke, Stephen Uy, M. Matson, E. Stein
Related Content
Claims (9)
Adding PCSK9 drugs to cholesterol-lowering statins can slash bad cholesterol by as much as 81% in people with high cholesterol.
A drug called AMG 145, when given every two weeks, cuts bad cholesterol by about three-quarters in people with high cholesterol who are already on strong meds or have a genetic form of the condition — even when their options are limited.
A drug called AMG 145 can lower a harmful blood protein linked to heart disease by up to 59% in people with high cholesterol who are already taking statins, and it seems to do more than just lower bad cholesterol.
A shot called AMG 145, given once a month, can cut bad cholesterol by more than 60% in people already on cholesterol meds — and it stays effective the whole month.
A drug called AMG 145, when given as a weekly shot at 35 mg or more, can cut bad cholesterol by up to 81% in people already on cholesterol meds, and the effect lasts through the week—so it might work well even if given every other week.
Blocking a protein called PCSK9 with certain drugs helps your body remove bad cholesterol from your blood more effectively.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.