NLA Scientific Sessions - National Lipid Association Scientific Sessions

The 2025 National Lipid Association (NLA) Scientific Sessions highlighted a strategic shift toward early, aggressive cardiometabolic intervention, underscoring the vital role of pharmacists in implementing emerging therapies and optimizing cardiovascular risk reduction.

Frank Qian, MD, MPH, discusses the integration of omega-3 fatty acid therapy alongside statins and PCSK9 inhibitors in cardiovascular risk management, highlighting the distinct mechanisms of benefit and lack of significant drug interactions.

Bempedoic acid is an effective option for statin-intolerant patients or those needing additional low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction, with clinical trials showing cardiovascular benefits, key drug-drug interaction considerations, and special management factors in patients with comorbidities.

Kausik K. Ray, MD, discussed the importance of early, aggressive, and sustained LDL-C lowering for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease prevention, highlighting that the magnitude of cardiovascular risk reduction is independent of the specific lipid-lowering therapy used.

Børge G. Nordestgaard, MD, DMSc, discussed the role of remnant cholesterol as an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and the emerging therapies that may help manage residual cardiovascular risk beyond low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction.

Incretin-based therapies, including GLP-1 and dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists, are transforming the management of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular risk.

Frank Qian, MD, MPH, discusses clinical considerations for omega-3 fatty acid therapy, such as the patient populations who may benefit most and important safety concerns.

Frank Qian, MD, MPH, discusses the clinical indications, dosing strategies, and cardiovascular outcomes data for prescription omega-3 fatty acids, including the ongoing debate about EPA vs EPA-DHA formulations and the implications of recent trial findings.

GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide and tirzepatide, significantly reduce cardiometabolic risk factors such as dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular events, with evidence suggesting that some of these benefits may occur independently of weight loss.

Emerging therapies targeting apolipoprotein C-III (ApoC3) are demonstrating significant promise in lowering triglycerides and reducing cardiovascular risk for patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia and rare disorders, such as familial chylomicronemia syndrome.

Building on positive low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)-lowering seen in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, inclisiran was found to induce meaningful and sustained LDL-C reductions following recent acute coronary syndrome.

Sander Kersten, PhD, discusses the distinct roles of ANGPTL3 and ANGPTL4 in lipid metabolism, their interactions with key enzymes, the therapeutic potential of targeting these pathways in lipid-lowering strategies, and important considerations for pharmacists counseling patients on emerging ANGPTL-targeted therapies.

Katherine H. Saunders, MD, DABOM, explores the role of pharmacists in supporting long-term weight management with GLP-1 therapies, including strategies for counseling on lifestyle interventions, managing adverse effects, and ensuring patients receive individualized, evidence-based care.

Alice H. Lichtenstein, DSc, emphasizes the importance of whole-food dietary patterns over macronutrient percentages for improving lipid profiles and cardiovascular health.