Genes and Lp(a): heart and blood vessel risk in diverse communities
Official title: Unraveling the Genetic Basis and Cardiovascular Impact of Lipoprotein(a) in Diverse Populations
Funded at Philadelphia VA Medical Center · NIH-11218687 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses genetic data from diverse groups—especially Black people and U.S. Veterans—to link high lipoprotein(a) levels with heart and blood vessel disease and to find who may benefit from new Lp(a)-lowering treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Philadelphia VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5IK2BX006551-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11218687 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include people with measured or suspected high Lp(a), those with a family history of early atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, Black adults, and U.S. Veterans who can contribute DNA or clinical data to participating biobanks.
✕Less likely to help
People with normal Lp(a) levels and no genetic signs of Lp(a)-driven disease may not receive direct benefit from Lp(a)-focused findings.
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers will analyze DNA and blood Lp(a) levels from over 350,000 people drawn from genetic biobanks, including the VA Million Veteran Program. They will search for genetic differences that explain why some people, particularly Black individuals, have much higher Lp(a) and earlier artery disease. Using genetic methods called Mendelian randomization, the team will estimate how much Lp(a) contributes to heart attacks, strokes, and other forms of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease across different ancestry groups. The aim is to identify who is most likely to benefit from emerging Lp(a)-lowering medicines and to help make prevention and treatment more equitable.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify high-risk people earlier and guide more targeted, equitable use of new Lp(a)-lowering treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous genetic and epidemiologic studies have linked Lp(a) to cardiovascular risk and early drug trials lowering Lp(a) look promising, but large, diverse-population genetic analyses like this are still relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Philadelphia VA Medical Center
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Levin, Michael G — Philadelphia VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Levin, Michael G
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.