ZEUS trial finds ziltivekimab lowered inflammation but not cardiovascular events

In the ZEUS trial, ziltivekimab lowered inflammatory markers but did not reduce cardiovascular events compared with placebo in people with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), chronic kidney disease and systemic inflammation. The trial randomly assigned 6,376 patients to monthly injections of ziltivekimab 15 mg or placebo.

During a median follow-up of 33 months, the primary endpoint of cardiovascular death, nonfatal heart attack or nonfatal stroke occurred in 17.6% of the ziltivekimab group and 17.7% of the placebo group. At 24 months, ziltivekimab was associated with a 76% reduction in free interleukin-6 and a 64% reduction in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein compared with placebo. The findings were presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions and published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers said further trials are needed to understand which patients may benefit from anti-inflammatory treatment.