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May 11th, 2012

A ‘Brilinta’ Theory on Why Ticagrelor Doesn’t Work as Well in the U.S.

In July 2011, the FDA approved ticagrelor (Brilinta) as a blood-thinner for acute coronary syndrome patients. Both before and since then, experts and frontline clinicians have been discussing why this selective P2Y12-receptor antagonist did not show, in the PLATO randomized comparison with clopidogrel, a significant advantage in North American participants — even though it showed a benefit in the overall trial and in non-U.S. participants. Some have wondered whether relatively higher doses of aspirin used in the U.S. might be the problem and, therefore, that such doses should be “avoided” by users of ticagrelor. However, there is a very simple alternative theory:

Intermediate-dose aspirin is just plain more effective than low-dose aspirin. Therefore, ticagrelor provides no additional benefit when intermediate-dose aspirin is being used.

Take a look at the “ancient” aspirin trials, in which relatively higher doses of aspirin were often associated with outcome benefits despite more gastrointestinal bleeding. Many physicians do not know — or maybe just forgot — that some early trials showing a significant benefit of aspirin were done with 1300 mg daily! I’m not suggesting doses on that scale, but rather 162 mg to 325 mg daily, which also showed benefits in early studies.

Anecdotally, we seem to see a lot less GI bleeding nowadays, as the early studies were conducted before routine use of H2-receptor antagonists and proton-pump inhibitors. Given that some patients have aspirin resistance and there is a dose-response curve (albeit nonlinear), it makes sense that some subgroups may benefit from intermediate-dose aspirin (just as we explore whether some patients benefit from higher doses of clopidogrel).

The proper message may not be to “avoid tigacrelor” if you take intermediate-dose aspirin. Perhaps you just don’t need ticagrelor in the first place because aspirin’s already doing the job. Yes, this goes against the ACCF/AHA guidelines, but that’s what blog posts are for.

What do you think about my intermediate-dose aspirin theory? Please chime in.

Categories: Anticoagulation, Prevention
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7 Responses to “A ‘Brilinta’ Theory on Why Ticagrelor Doesn’t Work as Well in the U.S.”

  1. Edgar Abovich, MD says:
    May 11, 2012 at 10:55 pm

    It is simple, it makes sense, it’s probably true. I like the logic behind it.

  2. David Cohen, MD MSc says:
    May 14, 2012 at 1:02 pm

    The only problems with the theory are:
    1. Biology– most in vitro and ex vivo evidence would suggest that there is not any additional inhibition of platelet function using aspirin doses greater than about 40 mg/day.
    2. Clinical trials data– clopidogrel and prasugrel seem to add benefit on top of either low dose or higher dose aspirin. The real question is why is ticagrelor different?

    So, I don’t think the simple answer is really the answer here.

    • Harry Peled, md says:
      May 14, 2012 at 9:59 pm

      Agree not so simple. However, there is a difference between low dose and intermediate dose aspirin as reflected in the guidline recommendation to take 325 mg aspirin daily for the first month after stenting then low dose

  3. Steven Greer, MD says:
    May 14, 2012 at 6:59 pm

    Our interview with the head of FDA’s CDER about the problem of using non-US data for US approval. This is a must see video if you have a few minutes

    http://currentmedicine.tv/2012/specialties/biostatistics/fdas-cder-director-the-problem-of-outsourced-clinical-trials/

    • Harry Peled, md says:
      May 14, 2012 at 10:00 pm

      Very worthwhile – this problem is seen in some of the new thrombin inhibitors compared to warfarin which work well outside the US but no benefit in the US. Thanks

  4. Joel Wolkowicz, MDCM says:
    May 14, 2012 at 7:10 pm

    Remind me of the evidence that low dose ASA is inferior to higher dose ASA

    • Harry Peled, md says:
      May 14, 2012 at 10:12 pm

      Never said inferior. However may be equivalent and might be a difference when adding another drug. The classic Dutch study showing very low dose aspirin was as good as intermediate dose actually showed 7% higher mortality in the low dose group though not statistically significant