The active metabolite of prasugrel effectively blocks the platelet P2Y12 receptor and inhibits procoagulant and pro-inflammatory platelet responses

The aim of these studies was to investigate the extent of platelet P2Y(12) receptor inhibition by the thienopyridine active metabolite of prasugrel, R-138727. Blood was taken from healthy volunteers and pre-incubated with R-138727 or cangrelor (AR-C66931MX). Platelet aggregation was assessed in platelet rich plasma (PRP) and whole blood (WB). Vasodilator stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) phosphorylation, platelet procoagulant activity (annexin V binding and microparticle formation) and calcium mobilisation were measured by flow cytometry. Platelet-leukocyte co-aggregate formation and sCD40L release, both pro-inflammatory responses of platelets, were measured by flow cytometry and ELISA, respectively. P2Y(12) receptor antagonism was determined using a radioligand binding assay ((33)P 2-MeSADP) in resting and stimulated platelets and the effects of clopidogrel administration were also assessed. R-138727 yielded concentration-dependent inhibition of platelet aggregation, VASP phosphorylation inhibition, procoagulant activity and pro-inflammatory responses. In the presence of R-138727 or cangrelor there was increased calcium reuptake following agonist stimulation. R-138727 30 micromol/L and cangrelor 1 micromol/L completely inhibited (33)P 2-MeSADP binding, compared to partial inhibition following clopidogrel administration. Platelet activation and granule secretion did not expose an additional pool of P2Y(12) receptors. Prasugrel's active metabolite effectively blocks the P2Y(12) receptor with the highest concentrations tested yielding complete inhibition of P2Y(12)-mediated amplification of several important platelet responses.     

Evaluation of the INNOVANCE PFA P2Y test cartridge: Sensitivity to P2Y12 blockade and influence of anticoagulant

Monitoring of platelet ADP receptor P2Y₁₂ inhibition may be performed by a variety of platelet function assays. Given the lack of sensitivity of the existing PFA-100® cartridge formulations to detect P2Y₁₂ inhibition, a new cartridge for the PFA-100 (INNOVANCE® PFA P2Y) has recently been developed. The performance of the new PFA-100 test cartridge was compared with standard collagen/ADP (CADP) and collagen/epinephrine (CEPI) cartridges, light transmission aggregometry, vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein, the VerifyNow® P2Y₁₂ assay and multiple electrode aggregometry. In this study, 20 normal blood samples anticoagulated with either citrate or hirudin were spiked with two different clinically relevant concentrations (1 and 10?µM final concentration) of the prasugrel active metabolite (R-138727, Lilly/Daiichi Sankyo) for 30?min at 37°C. Comparison of the platelet function tests demonstrated that all tests (except CADP and CEPI) were substantially inhibited by 10?µM R-138727. Intermediate results were typically obtained with 1?µM R-138727 in citrated blood. However, both MEA ADP and ADPHS tests were highly sensitive to 1?µM R-138727 in hirudin anticoagulated blood. Further comparison of citrate or hirudin blood samples (N?=?5) revealed that all platelet tests (except CEPI) became more sensitive to 1?µM R-138727 in hirudinized blood. The INNOVANCE PFA P2Y cartridge proved to be sensitive to P2Y₁₂ inhibition and was comparable to other currently available platelet function tests. The sensitivity of all platelet function tests for detecting in vitro inhibition of P2Y₁₂ is markedly different depending on the anticoagulant used.     

Prostacyclin receptor stimulation facilitates detection of human platelet P2Y12 receptor inhibition by the PFA-100® system

The rationale for monitoring platelet inhibition by thienopyridines for the identification of patients at risk for future recurrent arterial thrombosis or ischemic events is intensively discussed, as well as which monitoring systems are appropriate, robust and reliable. Flow cytometric measurement of phosphorylated VASP (vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein), expressed as platelet reactivity index (PRI), is presently “the gold standard method” for evaluating P2Y₁₂ receptor inhibition. The PFA-100® system, a commercially available and clinically widely used platelet test system, is based on a different principle, not that of VASP phosphorylation. The aim of the present study was to compare the two methods and evaluate whether the conventional PFA-100® collagen/ADP cartridge could be pharmacologically improved to enable its routine clinical use for detection of platelet P2Y₁₂ receptor inhibition. The effects of increasing concentrations of the competitive P2Y₁₂ receptor antagonist cangrelor (AR-C69931MX) and the time-dependent effects of a single oral loading dose of clopidogrel (600 mg) were analysed with human whole blood. P2Y₁₂ receptor inhibition was measured by the VASP/PRI assay and the PFA-100® collagen/ADP cartridge system, with and without preincubation with the prostacyclin analog iloprost (Ilomedin®). In vitro addition of iloprost (0.5 nM) enabled PFA-100® collagen/ADP cartridge system detection of P2Y₁₂ receptor inhibition in whole blood by cangrelor in vitro or by clopidogrel treatment of volunteers. The addition of a prostacyclin analog facilitates PFA-100® collagen/ADP system detection of P2Y₁₂ receptor inhibition, achieving a sensitivity similar to that of the VASP/PRI reference method. Future studies should now evaluate whether this modified PFA-100® system, like the VASP assay, is a reliable test system for monitoring P2Y₁₂ receptor inhibition under clinical conditions.     

Cangrelor inhibits the binding of the active metabolites of clopidogrel and prasugrel to P2Y12 receptors in vitro

Cangrelor is a rapid-acting, direct-binding, and reversible P2Y₁₂ antagonist which has been studied for use during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with or without pretreatment with an oral P2Y₁₂ antagonist. As cangrelor is administered intravenously, it is necessary to switch to an oral P2Y₁₂ antagonist following PCI, such as the thienopyridines clopidogrel, and prasugrel or the non-pyridine ticagrelor. Previous studies have suggested a negative pharmacodynamic interaction between cangrelor and thienopyridines. This in vitro study evaluated the receptor-level interaction between cangrelor and the active metabolite (AM) of clopidogrel or prasugrel by assessing functional P2Y₁₂ receptor number using a ³³P-2MeSADP binding assay. All P2Y₁₂ antagonists studied resulted in strong P2Y₁₂ receptor blockade (cangrelor: 93.6%; clopidogrel AM: 93.0%; prasugrel AM: 97.9%). Adding a thienopyridine AM in the presence of cangrelor strongly reduces P2Y₁₂ receptor blockade by the AM (clopidogrel AM: 7%, prasugrel AM: 3.2%). The thienopyridine AMs had limited ability to compete with cangrelor for binding to P2Y₁₂ (% P2Y₁₂ receptor blockade after co-incubation with cangrelor 1000?nmol/L: 11.7% for clopidogrel AM 3?µmol/L; 34.1% for prasugrel AM 3?µmol/L). In conclusion, in vitro cangrelor strongly inhibits the binding of clopidogrel and prasugrel AMs to the P2Y₁₂ receptor, consistent with the previous observation of a negative pharmacodynamic interaction. Care may need to be taken to not overlap exposure to thienopyridine AMs and cangrelor in order to reduce the risk of thrombotic complications following PCI.     

Underlying mechanism and specific prevention of hemolysis-induced platelet activation

Thromboembolic complications significantly impair the outcome of hemolytic disorders. We hypothesized that red cell adenosine diphosphate (ADP) release results in significant platelet activation in hemolysis and that this prothrombotic state can be prevented by inhibition of the ADP P2Y₁₂ receptor. In the current study, we therefore sought to investigate the mechanism and inhibition of hemolysis-induced platelet activation. The expression of activated integrin αIIbß3 was determined by flow cytometry, and platelet aggregation was assessed by multiple electrode platelet aggregometry. We demonstrate platelet activation and increased platelet aggregation by adding hemolytic blood (lysates) to whole blood, similarly to that achieved by the platelet agonist ADP. Enhanced platelet activation and reactivity in the presence of hemolytic blood were significantly abolished by apyrase, which catalyzes ADP degradation, and inhibited by blockade of the platelet ADP P2Y₁₂ receptor with cangrelor. Platelets from patients treated with the ADP P2Y₁₂ receptor antagonist clopidogrel showed a reduced response to lysates compared to platelets from healthy controls without antiplatelet treatment. Further, in vitro blood group ABO incompatibility induced hemolysis and led to increased platelet activation. Finally, “spontaneous” platelet aggregation seen in patients with cold agglutinin disease was completely abolished by cangrelor. In conclusion, hemolysis is associated with increased platelet activation and aggregation due to red cell derived ADP, which can be prevented by ADP receptor blockade.     

PAR-1 genotype influences platelet aggregation and procoagulant responses in patients with coronary artery disease prior to and during clopidogrel therapy

Genetic variations of the protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) have been associated with platelet receptor density and linked to thrombin receptor-activating peptide (TRAP)-induced phenotypes of platelet aggregation and P-selectin expression. We investigated whether the PAR-1 intervening sequence-14 A?>?T dimorphism influences platelet procoagulant activity. We also determined whether the P2Y₁₂ antagonist clopidogrel could offset any observed functional polymorphism of the PAR-1 receptor by inhibiting P2Y₁₂-mediated amplification of TRAP-induced responses. We studied 54 patients listed for elective percutaneous coronary intervention assessing TRAP-induced platelet aggregation and markers of procoagulant activity. Platelet responses were measured at baseline, 4?h post clopidogrel 300?mg, and 10 and 28 days following clopidogrel 75?mg daily. Each patient was genotyped for the PAR-1 intervening sequence-14 A/T dimorphism. Increased platelet aggregation and procoagulant responses were observed with PAR-1 A allele homozygotes. Clopidogrel significantly inhibited these platelet responses regardless of PAR-1 genotype, but did not offset the hyper-reactivity associated with the A/A homozygotes. We conclude that a common sequence variation within the PAR-1 gene influences TRAP-induced platelet procoagulant activity as well as aggregation. Higher platelet reactivity associated with PAR-1 IVSn–14 A allele homozygotes persists despite clopidogrel therapy. These individuals may be at higher risk of thromboembolic events and may require additional anti-platelet medication.     

Effects on platelet function of an EP3 receptor antagonist used alone and in combination with a P2Y12 antagonist both in-vitro and ex-vivo in human volunteers

EP3 receptor antagonists may provide a new approach to the treatment of atherothrombotic disease by blocking the ability of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) to promote platelet function acting via EP3 receptors. DG-041 is an EP3 antagonist in the early stage of clinical development. Here, we quantitated effects on platelet function of DG-041 in-vitro and ex-vivo after administration to man when given alone and concomitantly with clopidogrel or clopidogrel and aspirin. With its unique mechanism of action, it was anticipated that DG-041 would potentiate inhibition of platelet function when given in combination with clopidogrel without materially increasing bleeding time. Initially, in-vitro studies were performed to determine inhibitory effects of DG-041 (3?µM) used alone or in combination with the P2Y₁₂ antagonist cangrelor (1?µM), both without and with aspirin (100?µM). Platelet aggregation and P-selectin expression were measured in whole blood (n?=?10) following stimulation with the thromboxane A₂ (TXA₂) mimetic U46619 (0.3 or 1?µM) in combination with either the EP3 agonist sulprostone (0.1?µM), or PGE₂ (1?µM). DG-041 alone partially inhibited platelet function in-vitro, as did cangrelor. Addition of both DG-041 and cangrelor in combination provided significantly greater inhibition. An ex-vivo study was then performed using the same experimental approaches. This clinical study was a prospective, randomised, blinded (for DG-041/matching placebo), blocked, crossover study designed to compare the effects of DG-041, clopidogrel, or the combination of DG-041 with either clopidogrel or clopidogrel and aspirin. Healthy volunteers (n?=?42) were randomly assigned to receive no background treatment, clopidogrel (300?mg loading dose plus 75?mg daily) or clopidogrel and aspirin (75?mg daily) for 10 days alongside DG-041 (200?mg twice daily) or placebo for 5 days, crossed over to placebo or DG-041 for the next 5 days. Platelet effects and bleeding time were measured at baseline, days 5 and 10. DG-041 partially inhibited platelet function ex-vivo, as did clopidogrel, while administration of both DG-041 and clopidogrel provided significantly greater inhibition. Administration of DG-041 alone did not increase bleeding time, and did not significantly affect the increased bleeding time seen with clopidogrel or clopidogrel with aspirin. Using these experimental approaches, the antiplatelet effects of DG-041 and a P2Y₁₂ antagonist used alone and in combination can be determined both in-vitro and ex-vivo. Results show inhibitory effects of DG-041 on platelet function acting via EP3 receptor blockade, confirmed to be additional to those brought about by P2Y₁₂ blockade. In both in-vitro and ex-vivo studies, aspirin neither promoted nor negated the effects of the other drugs.     

Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa and P2Y12 receptor antagonists yield additive inhibition of platelet aggregation, granule secretion, soluble CD40L release and procoagulant responses

Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIb/IIIa) antagonists, including abciximab and tirofiban, are administered concurrently with clopidogrel, a P2Y12 antagonist, and aspirin in some patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. We studied the effects of, and interactions between, abciximab, tirofiban, aspirin and the P2Y12 antagonist cangrelor on platelet aggregation, alpha and dense granule secretion and procoagulant responses in vitro. Blood was obtained from healthy volunteers. Platelet aggregation, dense granule secretion, alpha granule secretion (PAI-1 and soluble CD40 ligand levels) and procoagulant responses (annexin-V and microparticle formation) were assessed using collagen and thrombin receptor activating peptide (TRAP) as agonists. All the antagonists used singularly inhibited collagen-induced responses. Combinations of abciximab or tirofiban with aspirin and/or cangrelor gave additive inhibition with the greatest effect seen when abciximab or tirofiban was combined with both aspirin and cangrelor. Cangrelor inhibited TRAP-induced responses and, again, there was additive inhibition of these parameters when abciximab or tirofiban were combined with cangrelor. The GPIIb/IIIa receptor plays an important role in amplification of platelet activation such that there are important interactions between GPIIb/IIIa antagonists and inhibitors of both P2Y12 receptor activation and, to a lesser extent, thromboxane A2 generation. These interactions are likely to have important influences on the safety and efficacy of combination anti-platelet therapies.     

Impact of Cigarette Smoking on P2Y12 Receptor Binding Activity Before and After Clopidogrel Therapy in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Smoking enhances the P2Y₁₂ receptor inhibitory effects of clopidogrel. Nicotine increases P2Y₁₂ receptor expression in platelet lysates from healthy volunteers. However, the impact of cigarette smoking on platelet P2Y₁₂ receptor binding in clopidogrel-treated patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is unknown. Clopidogrel-naïve patients with stable CAD (n?=?20) were enrolled and stratified according to smoking status. P2Y₁₂ receptor binding activity was determined by radioligand receptor binding prior and 24 h after a 600-mg loading dose of clopidogrel. Baseline P2Y₁₂ receptor binding was 1.8-fold higher in smokers compared with nonsmokers. After a 600-mg loading dose of clopidogrel, smokers showed a 6.4-fold reduction in P2Y₁₂ receptor binding indicative of marked clopidogrel-mediated blockade, while there were minimal changes among nonsmokers. Among patients with stable CAD, smokers have more P2Y₁₂ receptor binding than nonsmokers and have a higher degree of clopidogrel-mediated platelet inhibition.     

Modification of the VerifyNow® P2Y12 test BASE channel to accommodate high levels of P2Y12 antagonism

The VerifyNow® P2Y12 (VN-P2Y12) test reports thienopyridine-mediated platelet inhibition relative to a “BASE” channel, potentially eliminating the need for predrug patient assessment, by activating platelets through a P2Y₁₂-independent pathway. The original formulation of the BASE channel used a protease activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) peptide as agonist. However, more potent P2Y₁₂ antagonism required more complete activation of platelet thrombin receptors for the BASE measurement in order to negate any contribution of the P2Y₁₂ receptor. Accordingly, the current BASE channel formulation consists of both PAR-1 and protease activated receptor-4 (PAR-4) activating peptides to facilitate a higher degree of platelet activation. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of PAR-1 versus PAR-1/PAR-4 activating peptides as the BASE channel formulation using prasugrel's active metabolite, R-138727, in vitro to achieve high-grade P2Y₁₂ inhibition. Blood samples from 20 healthy donors were spiked in vitro with R-138727 at concentrations that include plasma levels achieved following prasugrel administration and were incubated for 30 minutes at 37°C. All samples were run in triplicate using both the PAR-1 and the PAR-1/PAR-4 BASE formulation in the VN-P2Y12 test device. The data confirmed the sensitivity of the original BASE formulation to high-grade P2Y₁₂ inhibition as reflected in the concentration-dependent decrease in values. Incorporation of PAR-4 activating peptide eliminated the effect of P2Y₁₂ blockade at all concentrations of R-138727. Thus, the use of PAR-1/PAR-4 in the BASE channel of the VN-P2Y12 cartridge addresses the impact of high grade P2Y₁₂ blockade and may allow more accurate reporting of “% inhibition” in patients treated with more effective P2Y₁₂ antagonists.     

Inhibitory effects of P2Y12 receptor antagonists on TRAP-induced platelet aggregation,procoagulant activity,microparticle formation and intracellular calcium responses in patients with acute coronary syndromes

Thrombin induces platelet aggregation and membrane rearrangements leading to enhanced procoagulant activity and microparticle production, all of which are thought to contribute to thrombus formation in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Clopidogrel, an adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor antagonist acting at the P2Y₁₂ receptor, has been shown to provide clinical benefit in ACS. We aimed to investigate the effects of clopidogrel ex vivo and another ADP-antagonist, AR-C69931MX in vitro on thrombin receptor activating peptide (TRAP)-induced platelet aggregation, procoagulant activity, microparticle formation and [Ca²⁺]_i responses in patients with ACS. Measurements were performed in platelet-rich plasma using aggregometry and flow cytometry (n?=?12). Clopidogrel (300?mg loading dose plus 75?mg daily) significantly inhibited TRAP-induced aggregation, procoagulant activity (annexin V binding) and microparticle production (all P?<?0.05) but not as extensively as AR-C69931MX (400?nmol/l). [Ca²⁺]_i responses induced by a combination of TRAP and ADP designed to mimic the physiological effects of released ADP showed that clopidogrel partially and AR-C69931MX completely removed the ADP component of the [Ca²⁺]_i responses (n?=?6). The results provide new information on the mechanisms involved in the beneficial effects of P2Y₁₂ antagonists in patients with ACS.     

P2Y12 receptor: platelet thrombus formation and medical interventions

Platelets express a wide range of receptors and proteins that play essential roles in thrombus formation. Among these, the P2Y₁₂ receptor, a member of the G protein-coupled receptor family, has attracted a significant amount of attention. Stimulation of the P2Y₁₂ receptor by ADP results in activation of various signaling pathways involved in amplification of platelet activation and aggregation. There have been extensive attempts to design an ideal antithrombotic agent to block P2Y₁₂, which shows selective expression, as an intervention for cardiovascular disease. Current inhibitors of the P2Y₁₂ receptor include indirect inhibitor members of the thienopyridine family (ticlopidine, clopidogrel, and prasugrel), and direct P2Y₁₂ inhibitors (ticagrelor, cangrelor and elinogrel). Of these, clopidogrel is the most commonly prescribed P2Y₁₂ blocker; however, this product does not fulfill the ideal therapeutic requirements. The main limitations of clopidogrel administration include slow onset, prevention of recovery of platelet functions, and interindividual variability. Hence, advanced studies have been carried out to achieve more efficient and safer P2Y₁₂ blockade. In this review, we provide a brief but comprehensive report on P2Y₁₂, its role on platelet thrombus formation, and the targeting of this receptor as an intervention for cardiovascular disease, for the benefit of basic science and clinical researchers.     

Acyl derivatives of coenzyme A inhibit platelet function via antagonism at P2Y1 and P2Y12 receptors: A new finding that may influence the design of anti-thrombotic agents

We have performed a detailed investigation of the effects on platelet function of coenzyme A (CoA) and several acyl-CoAs. Platelet aggregation was measured by turbidimetry and by platelet counting; platelet shape change was measured using light scattering; P-selectin, Ca²⁺ mobilization and vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) phosphorylation were measured by flow cytometry. The compounds investigated inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation; those with saturated acyl groups containing 16-18 carbons were most effective. The effects of palmitoyl-CoA (16:0) were studied in depth. It inhibited platelet shape change and Ca²⁺ mobilization brought about by ADP (but not other agonists) indicating antagonism at P2Y₁ receptors, and also inhibited ADP-induced P-selectin expression. Effects of palmitoyl-CoA on the platelet aggregation and Ca²⁺ mobilization induced by several different agonists and agonist combinations were compared with those of MRS 2179 (a P2Y₁ antagonist) and AR-C69931 (a P2Y₁₂ antagonist), and were consistent with palmitoyl-CoA acting mainly at P2Y₁ but also with partial antagonism at P2Y₁₂ receptors. Antagonism at P2Y₁₂ receptors was confirmed in studies of VASP-phosphorylation. Palmitoyl-CoA did not act as an antagonist at P2X₁ receptors. The results are discussed in relation to the possibility that acyl-CoAs may contribute as endogenous modulators of platelet function and might serve as lead compounds for the design of novel antithrombotics.     

P2Y12 and EP3 antagonists promote the inhibitory effects of natural modulators of platelet aggregation that act via cAMP

Several antiplatelet drugs that are used or in development as antithrombotic agents, such as antagonists of P2Y₁₂ and EP3 receptors, act as antagonists at G_i-coupled receptors, thus preventing a reduction in intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in platelets. Other antiplatelet agents, including vascular prostaglandins, inhibit platelet function by raising intracellular cAMP. Agents that act as antagonists at G_i-coupled receptors might be expected to promote the inhibitory effects of agents that raise cAMP. Here, we investigate the ability of the P2Y₁₂ antagonists cangrelor, ticagrelor and prasugrel active metabolite (PAM), and the EP3 antagonist DG-041 to promote the inhibitory effects of modulators of platelet aggregation that act via cAMP. Platelet aggregation was measured by platelet counting in whole blood in response to the TXA₂ mimetic U46619, thrombin receptor activating peptide and the combination of these. Vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein phosphorylation (VASP-P) was measured using a cytometric bead assay. Cangrelor always increased the potency of inhibitory agents that act by raising cAMP (PGI₂, iloprost, PGD₂, adenosine and forskolin). Ticagrelor and PAM acted similarly to cangrelor. DG-041 increased the potency of PGE₁ and PGE₂ as inhibitors of aggregation, and cangrelor and DG-041 together had more effect than either agent alone. Cangrelor and DG-041 were able to increase the ability of agents to raise cAMP in platelets as measured by increases in VASP-P. Thus, P2Y₁₂ antagonists and the EP3 antagonist DG-041 are able to promote inhibition of platelet aggregation brought about by natural and other agents that raise intracellular cAMP. This action is likely to contribute to the overall clinical effects of such antagonists after administration to man.     

How does measurement of platelet P-selectin compare with other methods of measuring platelet function as a means of determining the effectiveness of antiplatelet therapy?

Measurement of P-selectin on activated platelets as a means of measuring platelet function utilizing the technology described here has the advantage of not requiring immediate access to specialist equipment and expertise. Blood samples are activated, fixed, stored, and transported to a central laboratory for flow cytometric analysis. Here we have compared P-selectin with other more traditional approaches to measuring platelet function in blood and/or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from patients with acute coronary syndromes on treatment for at least 1 month with either aspirin and clopidogrel or aspirin with prasugrel. The comparators were light transmission aggregometry (LTA), VerifyNow and Multiplate aggregometry (for determining the effects of aspirin) and LTA, VerifyNow and Multiplate together with the BioCytex VASP phosphorylation assay (for the P2Y₁₂ antagonists). The P-selectin Aspirin Test revealed substantial inhibition of platelet function in all but three of 96 patients receiving aspirin with clopidogrel and in none of 51 patients receiving aspirin and prasugrel. The results were very similar to those obtained using LTA. There was only one patient with high residual platelet aggregation and low P-selectin expression. The same patients identified as “non-responders” to aspirin also presented with the highest residual platelet activity as measured using the VerifyNow system, although not quite as well separated from the other values. With the Multiplate test only one of these patients clearly stood out from the others. The results obtained using the P-selectin P2Y₁₂ Test in 102 patients taking aspirin and clopidogrel were similar to the more traditional approaches in that a wide scatter of results was obtained. Generally, high values seen with the P-selectin P2Y₁₂ Test were also high with the LTA, VerifyNow, Multiplate, and BioCytex VASP P2Y₁₂ Tests. Similarly, low residual platelet function using the P2Y₁₂ test was seen irrespective of the testing procedure used. However, there were differences in some patients. Prasugrel was always more effective than clopidogrel in inhibiting platelet function with none of 56 patients (P-selectin and VerifyNow), only 2 of 56 patients (Multiplate) and only 3 of 56 patients (Biocytex VASP) demonstrating high on-treatment residual platelet reactivity (HRPR) defined using previously published cut-off values. The exception was LTA where there were 11 of 56 patients with HRPR. It remains to be seen which experimental approach provides the most useful information regarding outcomes after adjusting therapies in treated patients.     

The promise of effective P2Y12 platelet receptor pretreatment: Not crushed yet

• Pre‐treatment with intact oral clopidogrel and prasugrel tablets in a representative observational study is not associated with altered ischemic or bleeding outcomes in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients.
• Limited by cost, cangrelor, a rapidly acting intravenous P2Y₁₂ platelet receptor inhibitor, achieved meaningful reductions in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and stent thrombosis (ST) compared to oral clopidogrel pretreatment.
• Crushed prasugrel and ticagrelor (CP&T) administered orally achieve accepted thresholds of therapeutic platelet inhibition in one hour in approximately 2/3rds of patients compared to 1/3rd with intact oral tablets. A large, simple randomized trial should test whether CP&T pre‐treatment could capture some of the potential outcome benefit of rapid P2Y₁₂ inhibition at no incremental risk and cost.

     

How to test the effect of aspirin and clopidogrel in patients on dual antiplatelet therapy?

Dual antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel and aspirin is frequently used for the prevention of recurrent ischemic events. Various laboratory methods are used to detect the effect of these drugs administered in monotherapy, however their value in dual therapy has not been explored. Here, we determined which methods used for testing the effect of clopidogrel or aspirin are influenced by the other antiplatelet agent. One arm of the study included 53 ischemic stroke patients being on clopidogrel monotherapy showing effective inhibition of the P2Y₁₂ ADP receptor. Laboratory tests routinely used for the detection of aspirin resistance (arachidonic acid (AA)-induced platelet aggregation/secretion, AA-induced thromboxane B₂ (TXB₂) production in platelet-rich plasma and VerifyNow Aspirin assay) were carried out on samples obtained from these patients. The other arm of the study involved 52 patients with coronary artery disease being on aspirin monotherapy. Methods used for testing the effect of clopidogrel (ADP-induced platelet aggregation and secretion, flow cytometric analysis of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) phosphorylation and a newly developed P2Y₁₂-specific platelet aggregation (ADP[PGE₁] test)) were performed on samples obtained from these patients. Clopidogrel monotherapy significantly inhibited AA-induced platelet aggregation and secretion, moreover, AA-induced TXB₂ production was also significantly decreased. VASP phosphorylation and AA-induced platelet aggregation showed fair correlation in patients taking clopidogrel only. Clopidogrel did not inhibit the VerifyNow Aspirin test significantly. Aspirin monotherapy influenced ADP-induced platelet aggregation and secretion, but did not have an effect on VASP phosphorylation and on the ADP[PGE₁] platelet aggregation test.     

Antiplatelet efficacy of P2Y<Subscript>12</Subscript> inhibitors (prasugrel,ticagrelor, clopidogrel) in patients treated with mild therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest due to acute myocardial infarction

Survivors after cardiac arrest (CA) due to AMI undergo PCI and then receive dual antiplatelet therapy. Mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH) is recommended for unconscious patients after CA to improve neurological outcomes. MTH can attenuate the effectiveness of P2Y₁₂ inhibitors by reducing gastrointestinal absorption and metabolic activation. The combined effect of these conditions on the efficacy of P2Y₁₂ inhibitors is unknown. We compared the antiplatelet efficacies of new P2Y₁₂ inhibitors in AMI patients after CA treated with MTH. Forty patients after CA for AMI treated with MTH and received one P2Y₁₂ inhibitor (clopidogrel, prasugrel or ticagrelor) were enrolled in a prospective observational single-center study. Platelet inhibition was measured by VASP (PRI) on days 1, 2, and 3 after drug administration. In-hospital clinical data and 1-year survival data were obtained. The proportion of patients with ineffective platelet inhibition (PRI > 50 %, high on-treatment platelet reactivity) for clopidogrel, prasugrel, and ticagrelor was 77 vs. 19 vs. 1 % on day 1; 77 vs. 17 vs. 0 % on day 2; and 85 vs. 6 vs. 0 % on day 3 (P < 0.001). The platelet inhibition was significantly worse in clopidogrel group than in prasugrel or ticagrelor group. Prasugrel and ticagrelor are very effective for platelet inhibition in patients treated with MTH after CA due to AMI, but clopidogrel is not. Using prasugrel or ticagrelor seems to be a more suitable option in this high-risk group of acute patients.     

Common sequence variations in the P2Y12 and CYP3A5 genes do not explain the variability in the inhibitory effects of clopidogrel therapy

The efficacy of the platelet P2Y₁₂ receptor antagonist clopidogrel, which undergoes cytochrome-mediated metabolism to its active form, shows marked inter-individual variability. We investigated whether polymorphic variations in the P2Y₁₂ gene, which have been linked to platelet aggregation phenotypes, or the cytochrome P450 3A5 gene 6986G?>?A polymorphism, which largely determines CYP3A5 expression, influence the response to clopidogrel therapy. Fifty-four patients listed for elective percutaneous coronary intervention were studied using ADP-induced optical aggregometry, whole-blood single platelet counting (WBSPC) aggregometry, and flow-cytometric analysis of platelet P-selectin expression and platelet-monocyte conjugate formation. Platelet reactivity was measured at baseline, 4?h post clopidogrel 300?mg, and 10 and 28 days following clopidogrel 75?mg daily. A further 55 patients were studied using ADP-induced WBSPC at baseline and 4?h post clopidogrel 600?mg. Patients were genotyped for P2Y₁₂ haplotype and the CYP3A5 6986G?>?A single nucleotide polymorphism. Neither genotype was found to significantly influence the inhibition of platelet responses by either clopidogrel regimen. In conclusion, common sequence variations within the P2Y₁₂ and CYP3A5 genes do not contribute any major effect to the inter-patient variability in clopidogrel efficacy.     

Pharmacodynamic Effects When Clopidogrel is Given Before Cangrelor Discontinuation

Objective

To determine whether initiation of clopidogrel before discontinuation of cangrelor would impact on the recovery of platelet reactivity.

Background

The active metabolite of clopidogrel cannot bind to P2Y₁₂ when cangrelor occupies the receptor. Pharmacodynamic studies have shown that this interaction is avoided when clopidogrel is given at the end of the cangrelor infusion. We found that antiplatelet effects of another thienopyridine, prasugrel, were apparent when prasugrel was administered 0.5 hour before cangrelor was stopped.

Methods

Platelet function studies (light transmission aggregometry, VerifyNow, and flow cytometry) were performed on blood from patients with stable coronary artery disease who were taking aspirin when a loading dose of clopidogrel (600 mg) was given during a cangrelor infusion (0.5 and 1 hour before cangrelor was stopped). Results were compared with those obtained when clopidogrel was given immediately after cangrelor was stopped.

Results

Administration of clopidogrel 0.5 and 1 hour before discontinuation of the cangrelor infusion did not prevent recovery of platelet reactivity more effectively than administration at the end of the infusion.

Conclusion

Our results support the previously established strategy of administering clopidogrel immediately after discontinuation of cangrelor. Earlier administration increases the recovery of platelet function. (J Interven Cardiol 2015;28:415–419)