Pravastatin benefits elderly carriers of KIF6 gene variant with prior vascular disease

Celera Corporation (NASDAQ:CRA) today announced the publication of data reporting that elderly (over age 70) carriers of the KIF6 gene variant with prior vascular disease received significant benefit from pravastatin (Pravachol®) therapy. Previous research has shown that a variant of the KIF6 gene, a member of the molecular motor protein kinesin family, is associated with up to a 55% increased risk of primary and recurrent coronary heart disease (CHD) events in the placebo arms of the clinical trials, and that this increased risk is virtually eliminated with statin therapy. This paper has been published ahead of print in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, and is currently available on the publication’s website at: http://journals.lww.com/ejcpr/Abstract/publishahead/KIF6_Trp719Arg_polymorphism_and_the_effect_of.99827.aspx

“We’re pleased to have replicated our findings for KIF6 in this important segment of the population as it provides additional information to help physicians identify those elderly patients with prior vascular disease in whom statins work particularly well”

The effect of pravastatin versus placebo on coronary events according to KIF6 carrier status was investigated among 5,752 patients of the PROspective Study of Pravastatin in the Elderly at Risk (PROSPER) study. A key finding of the study was that in 2,542 subjects with prior vascular disease, pravastatin therapy significantly reduced coronary events in KIF6 carriers but not in noncarriers: absolute risk reduction was 6.3% in carriers versus 1.2% in noncarriers. The study showed that the number needed to treat (NNT) with pravastatin to prevent one CHD event was 16 in KIF6 carriers and 83 in noncarriers. The original reports of the PROSPER study indicated that only the elderly with prior vascular disease received substantial and significant reduction of events from pravastatin therapy. The differential reduction of CHD events between KIF6 carriers and noncarriers in PROSPER patients with prior vascular disease was observed despite the same on-therapy lipid levels observed in carriers and noncarriers.

“We’re pleased to have replicated our findings for KIF6 in this important segment of the population as it provides additional information to help physicians identify those elderly patients with prior vascular disease in whom statins work particularly well,” said Kathy Ordoñez, Chief Executive Officer of Celera.

Celera is pursuing regulatory registration for a diagnostic product based on research findings pertaining to KIF6.