A Systematic Review with Network Meta-analysis on Atherosclerosis Vaccine Based on Nonhuman Primate Model
Abstract
The regulation of plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) function is largely dependent on proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). PCSK9-targeted vaccinations have been designed to produce PCSK9-specific antibodies, which may improve dyslipidemia and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to conduct a frequentist network meta-analysis of animal trials to determine the most effective PCSK9 vaccine designs for improving lipid profiles.
A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies published before October 2024 was carried out. There were studies that used PCSK9-targeted vaccinations in dyslipidemic nonhuman primates. The analysis utilized a random-effects model with effect size metrics of standardized mean difference and 95% confidence intervals. Heterogeneity was investigated using I² statistics.
Four studies published between 2021 and 2024 satisfied the inclusion requirements, covering five vaccine designs with different epitope sequences, delivery mechanisms, and carriers. Three vaccine designs have significant effect in lowering LDL-C: (1) vaccine designed with a full peptide immunogen containing T-helper and B-cell epitopes (VXX-401, P < 0.025); (2) vaccine designed with linear PCSK9-derived epitopes with Qß bacteriophage virus-like particles (rhPCSK9 VLPs, P < 0.001); (3) PCSK9 mimic (cleavage-resistant mutant) linked to shark-derived…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in animal, not in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Improving sleep quality leads to better mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
- Tocilizumab in patients with severe COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study
- A new aging measure captures morbidity and mortality risk across diverse subpopulations from NHANES IV: A cohort study
- Fruit, vegetable, and legume intake, and cardiovascular disease and deaths in 18 countries (PURE): a prospective cohort study
- Are noise and air pollution related to the incidence of dementia? A cohort study in London, England
- Long COVID symptoms and duration in SARS-CoV-2 positive children — a nationwide cohort study
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.