Serum lipoprotein(a) is not modified by interleukin-6 receptor antagonism or associated with inflammation in non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Abstract Background The IL-6 receptor antagonist tocilizumabhas been shown to attenuate the proatherogenic lipoprotein a [Lp(a)] in rheumatoid arthritis. We evaluated if a single dose of tocilizumabreduced Lp(a) in patients with non- ST-elevationmyocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Methods Lp(a) was assessed by immunoassay (n = 117 patients) at 7 consecutive time-pointsbetween day 1 and 3 and at 3 and 6 months follow-up. Results Tocilizumabdid not affect Lp(a) at any time-pointduring the study and was not associated with cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusions Short-time inhibition of IL-6 with tocilizumabin patients with NSTEMI did not influence Lp(a) levels.