Major Cardiovascular Trials (ZEUS and Lp(a)HORIZON) Fail to Reduce Clinical Events Despite Lowering Biomarkers

Two significant cardiovascular trials, ZEUS and Lp(a)HORIZON, have concluded that successfully altering biological markers like hsCRP and lipoprotein(a) does not guarantee improved patient outcomes, such as fewer heart attacks or strokes. The ZEUS trial, which targeted inflammation, effectively lowered hsCRP but did not reduce cardiovascular events. Similarly, the Lp(a)HORIZON trial, designed to lower lipoprotein(a), achieved significant biomarker reduction without translating to fewer cardiovascular events. These results underscore the critical distinction between biological activity and clinical efficacy, emphasizing the necessity of large, randomized controlled trials to prove true clinical impact.