The Polyclinic participates in major international HDL clinical research study

The PolyclinicOct 1 2011

The Polyclinic is participating in a major international clinical research study aimed at raising HDL (good cholesterol) levels. As an entirely new department at The Polyclinic, clinical research opens up an additional arm of medicine for patients and physicians alike. The Polyclinic recognizes clinical research as an enhancement to its mission of providing high-quality, comprehensive, personalized health care.

"Patients who participate in clinical research studies are ultimately contributing to better health care," said Polyclinic Chief Medical Officer Michael Tronolone, MD, MMM. "It leads to new discoveries that improve quality of life, and also the lives of future generations."

Having grown significantly since its creation a year ago, the department aims to focus on research studies addressing significant unmet medical needs. Polyclinic physicians welcome the addition of the department, as it increases patients' options for treatment and their ability to participate in research.

"Not all patients achieve optimum health with currently available medications," said Dr. Tronolone. "The Polyclinic clinical research department can now play a part in improving outcomes."

This international HDL study, now enrolling participants, will test whether new drug Anacetrapib can boost HDL levels in patients 50 years or older with a history of heart attack, coronary artery disease, or type I or II diabetes. The study, entitled REVEAL and sponsored by Oxford University, will include 30,000 individuals worldwide with 180 sites in the United States. The only currently available therapy with an effect on HDL is niacin, which raises levels by 20% to 30% but can cause uncomfortable side effects.

"Although we have excellent methods of treating heart disease, current therapies have plateaued and further progress is needed," said Dr. Kier Huehnergarth, Polyclinic cardiologist and principal investigator for the REVEAL study. "By participating in this research, The Polyclinic hopes to provide patients with even more protection against a future heart attack."

Patients who qualify for this study will attend five clinic visits in the first year and biannual clinic visits thereafter. They will also receive a stipend for each visit as well as lab tests and study medication at no cost. The study will continue to enroll throughout the next several months.