Abstract
Importance of the field: Many clinical trials of pitavastatin have been done since its launch. New insights on pitavastatin from these trials are summarized and evaluated.
Areas covered in this review: 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.
What the reader will gain: 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.
Take home message: Pitavastatin is a useful potent statin 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.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank all of the physicians throughout Japan who participated in the LIVES study. The LIVES study was conducted by Kowa Company Ltd, Tokyo, Japan.