New evidence on pitavastatin: efficacy and safety in clinical studies.
BACKGROUND
Many clinical trials of pitavastatin have been done since its launch. New insights on pitavastatin from these trials are summarized and evaluated.


METHODS
The results of clinical studies using pitavastatin, from 2008 to 2009, the LIVES study, the JAPAN-ACS study, the CHIBA study, the PIAT study and Phase III clinical trials in the West are reviewed.


RESULTS
In the LIVES study, pitavastatin showed significant and continuous elevation of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), as well as potential decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), in addition to long-term safety. Non-inferiority of pitavastatin against atorvastatin in the percentage change in plaque volume was proved in the JAPAN-ACS study. Also, comparable effects on LDL-C reduction rate of pitavastatin versus atorvastatin were confirmed in the CHIBA study and Phase III clinical trials in the West, and a greater increase in HDL-C was observed than with atorvastatin in the PIAT study.


CONCLUSIONS
Pitavastatin is a useful potent stain in raising HDL-C as well as in lowering of LDL-C, though a large-scale, clinical trial to confirm prevention of cardiovascular events is needed in the future.
Teramoto
Tamio
T
Department of Internal Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. ttera@med.teikyo-u.ac.jp
Shimano
Hitoshi
H
Yokote
Koutaro
K
Urashima
Mitsuyoshi
M
D000818:Animals; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011804:Quinolines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011758:Pyrroles; D011804:Quinolines; D000069059:Atorvastatin; C108475:pitavastatin