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

Background The IL-6 receptor antagonist tocilizumab has been shown to attenuate the proatherogenic lipoprotein a [Lp(a)] in rheumatoid arthritis. We evaluated if a single dose of tocilizumab reduced Lp(a) in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Methods Lp(a) was assessed by immunoassay (n = 117 patients) at 7 consecutive time-points between day 1 and 3 and at 3 and 6 months follow-up. Results Tocilizumab did not affect Lp(a) at any time-point during the study and was not associated with cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusions Short-time inhibition of IL-6 with tocilizumab in patients with NSTEMI did not influence Lp(a) levels.