A Phase 4 interventional study of Inclisiran and Alirocumab in Hypercholesterolemia and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD), sponsored by University Medical Centre Ljubljana. Recruiting at 1 site in Slovenia. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-06-02.
Sponsored by University Medical Centre Ljubljana · Phase 4, Interventional, and Treatment
This study will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of combining two different types of PCSK9 inhibitors, inclisiran and alirocumab, in patients with high cardiovascular risk who are unable to tolerate statins.
Lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is essential to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. While PCSK9 inhibitors are effective, many patients treated with a single agent do not reach recommended LDL-C targets, especially those who cannot take statins.
Inclisiran and alirocumab reduce LDL-C through different mechanisms. Inclisiran decreases the production of PCSK9 in the liver, while alirocumab binds circulating PCSK9 in the blood. Combining these therapies may lead to a greater reduction in LDL-C levels.
In this randomized, open-label clinical trial, approximately 60 patients in secondary prevention will be assigned to one of three groups: inclisiran alone, alirocumab alone, or a combination of both treatments. Patients will be followed for 9 months with regular clinical and laboratory assessments.
The main goal of the study is to determine whether combination therapy leads to greater LDL-C reduction compared to each treatment alone. Secondary objectives include assessing the proportion of patients achieving target LDL-C levels and evaluating treatment safety and tolerability.
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) being a major modifiable risk factor. Despite the availability of effective lipid-lowering therapies, a substantial proportion of high-risk patients fail to achieve recommended LDL-C targets, particularly those with statin intolerance.
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) plays a key role in regulating LDL receptor degradation and plasma LDL-C levels. Pharmacological inhibition of PCSK9 has emerged as an effective strategy to reduce LDL-C. Two distinct therapeutic approaches are currently available: monoclonal antibodies (such as alirocumab), which neutralize circulating PCSK9, and small interfering RNA therapies (such as inclisiran), which reduce hepatic production of PCSK9.
Although both approaches have demonstrated efficacy, real-world data suggest that monotherapy may not be sufficient for many high-risk patients. The combination of these two mechanisms may provide additive or synergistic effects, leading to more profound LDL-C reduction.
This study is designed as a prospective, randomized, open-label, monocentric clinical trial. Approximately 60 adult patients in secondary prevention with statin intolerance and elevated LDL-C (2.5-5.0 mmol/L) will be enrolled. Participants will be randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive inclisiran, alirocumab, or a combination of both therapies.
Inclisiran will be administered subcutaneously at baseline and at 3 months. Alirocumab will be administered subcutaneously at a dose of 300 mg every 4 weeks in a supervised clinical setting. Patients will be followed for 9 months, with study visits at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months.
The primary endpoint is the percentage change in LDL-C from baseline at 3 and 9 months. Secondary endpoints include the proportion of patients achieving guideline-recommended LDL-C targets, changes in other lipid parameters, and safety outcomes including adverse events and treatment tolerability.
This study aims to provide proof-of-concept evidence on the effectiveness and safety of dual PCSK9 inhibition using complementary mechanisms, with potential implications for improving lipid management in high-risk, statin-intolerant patients.
1,175 studies on the registry are indexed under Hypercholesterolemia; 93 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 60 is below the median of 110 across 975 interventional studies indexed under Hypercholesterolemia.
Browse Hypercholesterolemia studies →University Medical Centre Ljubljana is the lead sponsor of 296 studies on the registry; 72 are open to participants now.
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Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Two enzymes measured in a routine blood test of the liver. Higher levels can mean the liver is under strain or damaged. SGPT and SGOT are older names for ALT and AST.
Criteria usually give a limit as a multiple of the upper limit of normal (ULN), often higher when cancer has spread to the liver.
The top of the normal range for a blood test, as set by the laboratory that runs it. Each lab prints its own range next to your result.
“≤ 2.5 × ULN” means the result can be up to two and a half times that top value.
GFR (glomerular filtration rate) is how much blood the kidneys filter each minute. It is usually estimated from a blood test — eGFR, by formulas such as CKD-EPI or MDRD — and some studies ask for it to be measured directly instead. Usually given in mL/min/1.73 m².
Check the method, the units and the minimum the study states. A value of 90 or above is in the normal-or-high range, but kidney damage can show in other tests too.
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
The study doctor’s estimate of how long someone is likely to live. Criteria use it so that people can stay in the study long enough for it to answer its question.
Able to become pregnant: from the first period until menopause, unless permanently unable to through surgery (removal of the womb, or of both ovaries or both fallopian tubes).
Criteria for people of childbearing potential usually ask for a negative pregnancy test and for contraception during the study and for a time after it.
Ways of preventing pregnancy. “Highly effective” methods fail less than 1% of the time a year when used correctly — for example an IUD or an implant.
Criteria usually say which methods count and how long to keep using them after the last dose, sometimes for male participants too. Some studies accept a partner’s vasectomy if it was confirmed successful and that person is the participant’s only sexual partner.
An allergy, or another reaction of the immune system, to a substance. “Hypersensitivity to the study drug” means a known allergic reaction to it — not every side effect a medicine can have.
The other ingredients in a medicine besides the active drug, such as fillers, colours or preservatives.
Contraindication
A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
ALT and AST (liver enzymes)
Two enzymes measured in a routine blood test of the liver. Higher levels can mean the liver is under strain or damaged. SGPT and SGOT are older names for ALT and AST.
Criteria usually give a limit as a multiple of the upper limit of normal (ULN), often higher when cancer has spread to the liver.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
ULN (upper limit of normal)
The top of the normal range for a blood test, as set by the laboratory that runs it. Each lab prints its own range next to your result.
“≤ 2.5 × ULN” means the result can be up to two and a half times that top value.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
GFR and eGFR (kidney filtering)
GFR (glomerular filtration rate) is how much blood the kidneys filter each minute. It is usually estimated from a blood test — eGFR, by formulas such as CKD-EPI or MDRD — and some studies ask for it to be measured directly instead. Usually given in mL/min/1.73 m².
Check the method, the units and the minimum the study states. A value of 90 or above is in the normal-or-high range, but kidney damage can show in other tests too.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Cancer (malignancy)
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Life expectancy
The study doctor’s estimate of how long someone is likely to live. Criteria use it so that people can stay in the study long enough for it to answer its question.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Childbearing potential
Able to become pregnant: from the first period until menopause, unless permanently unable to through surgery (removal of the womb, or of both ovaries or both fallopian tubes).
Criteria for people of childbearing potential usually ask for a negative pregnancy test and for contraception during the study and for a time after it.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Contraception
Ways of preventing pregnancy. “Highly effective” methods fail less than 1% of the time a year when used correctly — for example an IUD or an implant.
Criteria usually say which methods count and how long to keep using them after the last dose, sometimes for male participants too. Some studies accept a partner’s vasectomy if it was confirmed successful and that person is the participant’s only sexual partner.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hypersensitivity
An allergy, or another reaction of the immune system, to a substance. “Hypersensitivity to the study drug” means a known allergic reaction to it — not every side effect a medicine can have.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Excipients
The other ingredients in a medicine besides the active drug, such as fillers, colours or preservatives.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants receive inclisiran 284 mg administered subcutaneously at baseline and at 3 months. Patients will be followed for 9 months with scheduled clinical and laboratory assessments.
Drug: Inclisiran
Participants receive alirocumab 300 mg administered subcutaneously every four weeks in a supervised clinical setting for 9 months. Patients will be followed with regular clinical and laboratory assessments.
Drug: Alirocumab
Participants receive inclisiran 284 mg administered subcutaneously at baseline and at 3 months, in combination with alirocumab 300 mg administered subcutaneously every four weeks in a supervised clinical setting for 9 months. Patients will be followed with scheduled clinical and laboratory assessments.
Drug: Inclisiran · Drug: Alirocumab
Participants receive inclisiran 284 mg administered subcutaneously at baseline (Day 0) and at Month 3.
Participants receive alirocumab 300 mg administered subcutaneously every four weeks in a supervised clinical setting for 9 months.
Percent Change in LDL-C From Baseline
Percent change in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from baseline at 3 months and 9 months, comparing inclisiran, alirocumab, and combination therapy.
Time frame: 3 months and 9 months
Trajectory of Percent Change in LDL-C From Baseline
Percent change in LDL-C from baseline at each scheduled follow-up visit to assess early response and durability of treatment effect.
Time frame: 1, 3, 6, and 9 months
Change From Baseline in LDL-C Concentration
Absolute change in LDL-C concentration compared with baseline at each scheduled follow-up visit.
Time frame: 1, 3, 6, and 9 months
Proportion of Participants Achieving LDL-C <1.4 mmol/L
Proportion of participants achieving LDL-C below 1.4 mmol/L at each scheduled follow-up visit.
Time frame: 1, 3, 6, and 9 months
Change in Apolipoprotein B From Baseline
Absolute and percent change in apolipoprotein B from baseline.
Time frame: 1, 3, 6, and 9 months
Change in Non-HDL Cholesterol From Baseline
Absolute and percent change in non-HDL cholesterol from baseline.
Time frame: 1, 3, 6, and 9 months
Change in Lipoprotein(a) From Baseline
Absolute and percent change in lipoprotein(a) from baseline.
Time frame: 1, 3, 6, and 9 months
Change From Baseline in Total Cholesterol, HDL Cholesterol, and Triglyceride Concentrations
Change in serum total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations compared with baseline values.
Time frame: 1, 3, 6, and 9 months
Incidence of Adverse Events
Number and proportion of participants experiencing any adverse event during the study.
Time frame: Up to 9 months
Treatment Discontinuation Due to Adverse Events
Proportion of participants who discontinue assigned study treatment because of adverse events.
Time frame: Up to 9 months
Change in Circulating PCSK9 Concentration From Baseline
Absolute and percent change in circulating PCSK9 concentration to assess pharmacodynamic effects of treatment.
Time frame: 1, 3, 6, and 9 months
Incidence of Injection-Site Reactions
Number and proportion of participants experiencing injection-site reactions.
Time frame: Up to 9 months
Treatment Adherence
Adherence to assigned therapy assessed by documented administration of inclisiran and alirocumab.
Time frame: Up to 9 months
Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events
Exploratory assessment of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, urgent coronary revascularization, or hospitalization for unstable angina.
Time frame: Up to 9 months
Plan to share: Yes — De-identified individual participant data (IPD) underlying the results reported in this study will be made available upon reasonable request to qualified researchers. Data sharing will be subject to approval by the study investigators and institutional policies, and will require a data use agreement to ensure appropriate use and protection of participant confidentiality.
Supporting information: Study protocol, Statistical analysis plan, Informed consent form
Time frame: Individual participant data and supporting documents will be available beginning 6 months following publication of the primary results and ending 5 years after publication.
Access criteria: De-identified individual participant data, study protocol, statistical analysis plan, and informed consent form will be made available to qualified researchers who provide a methodologically sound research proposal. Data access will be subject to approval by the study investigators and the sponsoring institution. A data use agreement will be required to ensure appropriate use of the data and protection of participant confidentiality. Requests for access should be directed to the principal investigator.
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Studies of the drugs tested here: Inclisiran · Alirocumab
University Medical Centre Ljubljana →