Fluvastatin,HMG‐CoA Reductase Inhibitor: Antiatherogenic Profiles Through Its Lipid‐Lowering–Dependent and ‐Independent Actions

Fluvastatin, the first totally synthetic inhibitor of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG‐CoA) reductase, has the unique structure of a mevalonolactone derivative of a fluorophenyl‐substituted indole ring. Fluvastatin markedly reduces plasma lipid levels in animals and humans by inhibiting the activity of HMG‐CoA reductase following the up‐regulation of low density lipoprotein receptors, as it occurs with other HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitors. Several lines of evidence indicate that the hypolipidemic action of fluvastatin results in antiatherosclerotic effects in hyperlipidemic animal models. Recent findings have shown, however, that fluvastatin inhibits the progression of atherosclerosis independent of its lipid‐lowering effects. In addition, fluvastatin inhibits key events or factors in the initiation or progression of atherosclerosis. These effects include antioxidant and antithrombotic properties, improvement of endothelial function, inhibition of activated monocyte‐endothelial cell interaction, and inhibition of activated macrophage and smooth muscle cell function. Recent large clinical trials with fluvastatin demonstrated its beneficial effects on the incidence of clinical events and on the progression of atherosclerotic plaques in patients with hyperlipidemia. Although angiographic changes (e.g., the decrease in minimum lumen diameter) in response to therapy were modest, the accompanying clinical benefit appeared to be significant. The lipid‐lowering therapy can not fully explain the results of clinical trials. The antiatherogenic profiles of fluvastatin might contribute to the decrease in the clinical events by directly inhibiting the atherosclerotic plaque progression and stabilizing the atherosclerotic plaque lesion. Elucidation of pleiotropic effects of fluvastatin other than lipid‐lowering properties encourages the clinical use of fluvastatin not only for the reduction of plasma cholesterol levels but also for the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease in patients with hypercholesterolemia.     

Pitavastatin: Efficacy and Safety Profiles of A Novel Synthetic HMG‐CoA Reductase Inhibitor

The use of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG‐CoA) reductase inhibitors, statins, has been shown to reduce major cardiovascular events in both primary and secondary prevention, and statins became one of the most widely prescribed classes of drugs throughout the world. Previously, statins have been well tolerated and have shown favorable safety profiles. However, the voluntary withdrawal of cerivastatin from the market because of a disproportionate number of reports of rhabdomyolysis‐associated deaths drew attention to the pharmacokinetic profile of statins, which may possibly have been related to serious drug‐drug interactions. Pitavastatin (NK‐104, previously called itavastatin or nisvastatin, Kowa Company Ltd., Tokyo) is a novel, fully synthetic statin, which has a potent cholesterol‐lowering action. The short‐term and long‐term lipid‐modifying effects of pitavastatin have already been investigated in subjects with primary hypercholesterolemia, heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and type‐2 diabetes mellitus accompanied by hyperlipidemia. Within the range of daily doses from 1 to 4 mg, the efficacy of pitavastatin as a lipid‐lowering drug seems to be similar, or potentially superior, to that of atorvastatin. According to the results of pharmacokinetic studies, pitavastatin showed favorable and promising safety profile; it was only slightly metabolized by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) system, its lactone form had no inhibitory effects on the CYP3A4‐mediated metabolism of concomitantly administered drugs; P‐glycoprotein‐mediated transport did not play a major role in its disposition, and pitavastatin did not inhibit P‐glycoprotein activity. It could be concluded that pitavastatin could provide a new and potentially better thera‐peutic choice for lipid‐modifying therapy than do the currently available statins. The ef‐ficacy and safety of higher dose treatment, as well as its long‐term effects in the pre‐vention of coronary artery disease, should be further investigated.     

Efficacy and safety of ezetimibe coadministered with pravastatin in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia: a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial.

AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ezetimibe 10 mg administered with pravastatin in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia. METHODS AND RESULTS: After dietary stabilization, 2-12 week screening/washout period, and 4-week, single-blind, placebo lead-in period, 538 patients with baseline LDL-C > or =3.8 to < or =6.5 mmol/l and TG < or =4.0 mmol/l were randomized to one of eight possible treatments administered daily for 12 weeks: ezetimibe 10mg; pravastatin 10, 20, or 40 mg; ezetimibe 10 mg plus pravastatin 10, 20, or 40 mg; or placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was percent reduction in LDL-C from baseline to study endpoint for ezetimibe 10 mg plus pravastatin (pooled doses) compared to pravastatin alone (pooled doses) and ezetimibe alone. The combined use of ezetimibe and pravastatin resulted in significant incremental reductions in LDL-C and TG compared to pooled pravastatin alone (p<0.01). Coadministration therapy reduced LDL-C by 34-41%, TG by 21-23%, and increased HDL-C by 7.8-8.4%, depending on the dose of pravastatin. The combined regimen was well tolerated, with a safety profile similar to pravastatin alone and placebo. CONCLUSIONS: When coadministered with pravastatin, ezetimibe provided significant incremental reductions in LDL-C and TG and was well tolerated with a safety profile similar to pravastatin alone.     

Meaning of Low‐Density Lipoprotein‐Apheresis for Hypercholesterolemic Patients at High Risk for Recurrence of Coronary Heart Disease

Abstract: The goal of cholesterol‐lowering therapy in hypercholesterolemic patients at high risk for recurrence of coronary heart disease (CHD) is the prevention of acute coronary syndrome by stabilization of coronary atheromatous plaque. We often encounter patients in whom it is difficult to maintain the serum cholesterol level at a desirable level with dietary therapy and drug treatment, despite the development and use of statins. For secondary prevention in patients who are at high risk for the recurrence of CHD and whose cholesterol level cannot be controlled by drugs alone, low‐density lipoprotein (LDL)‐apheresis therapy, which involves removal of LDL through extracorporeal circulation, is now available. Many reports concerning improvement of vascular endothelial function, improvement of myocardial ischemia, regression of coronary atherosclerotic lesions, stabilization of coronary plaque, and reduction in the incidence of cardiac events as a result of LDL‐apheresis treatment have been published in various countries. We believe that LDL‐apheresis should be performed on hypercholesterolemic patients with existing CHD for whom diet and maximum cholesterol‐lowering drug therapies have been ineffective or not tolerated and whose LDL cholesterol level is 160 mg/dL or higher.     

Rosuvastatin: A Highly Effective New HMG‐CoA Reductase Inhibitor

Rosuvastatin, a new statin, has been shown to possess a number of advantageous pharmacological properties, including enhanced HMG‐CoA reductase binding characteristics, relative hydrophilicity, and selective uptake into/activity in hepatic cells. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) metabolism of rosuvastatin appears to be minimal and is principally mediated by the 2C9 enzyme, with little involvement of 3A4; this finding is consistent with the absence of clinically significant pharmacokinetic drug‐drug interactions between rosuvastatin and other drugs known to inhibit CYP enzymes. Dose‐ranging studies in hypercholesterolemic patients demonstrated dose‐dependent effects in reducing low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) (up to 63%), total cholesterol, and apolipoprotein (apo) B across a 1‐ to 40‐mg dose range and a significant 8.4% additional reduction in LDL‐C, compared with atorvastatin, across the dose ranges of the two agents. Rosuvastatin has also been shown to be highly effective in reducing LDL‐C, increasing high‐density lipo‐protein cholesterol (HDL‐C), and producing favorable modifications of other elements of the atherogenic lipid profile in a wide range of dyslipidemic patients. In patients with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia, rosuvastatin has been shown to produce large decreases in LDL‐C at starting doses, thus reducing the need for subsequent dose titration, and to allow greater percentages of patients to attain lipid goals, compared with available statins. The substantial LDL‐C reductions and improvements in other lipid measures with rosuvastatin treatment should facilitate achievement of lipid goals and reduce the requirement for combination therapy in patients with severe hypercholesterolemia. In addition, rosuvastatin's effects in reducing triglycerides, triglyceride‐containing lipoproteins, non‐HDL‐C, and LDL‐C and increasing HDL‐C in patients with mixed dyslipidemia or elevated triglycerides should be of considerable value in enabling achievement of LDL‐C and non‐HDL‐C goals in the numerous patients with combined dyslipidemias or metabolic syndrome who require lipid‐lowering therapy. Rosuvastatin is well tolerated alone, and in combination with fenofibrate, extended‐release niacin, and cholestyramine, and has a safety profile similar to that of currently marketed statins. A large, long‐term clinical trials program is under way to investigate the effects of rosuvastatin on atherosclerosis and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.     

LCZ696, a First‐in‐Class Angiotensin Receptor‐Neprilysin Inhibitor: The First Clinical Experience in Patients With Severe Hypertension

The safety of LCZ696, a novel angiotensin receptor‐neprilysin inhibitor, was evaluated for the first time in patients with severe hypertension in this 8‐week, multicenter, open‐label study. Thirty‐five Japanese patients with either office systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥180 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥110 mm Hg received LCZ696 200 mg. If blood pressure was uncontrolled, the LCZ696 dose was increased to 400 mg after 2 weeks (if there were no safety concerns; n=32), followed by an optional addition of another antihypertensive drug (except angiotensin receptor blocker and angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor) after 4 weeks (n=21). Reductions in office SBP/DBP (baseline, 173.4 mm Hg/112.4 mm Hg) and pulse pressure (baseline, 61.0 mm Hg) at week 8 were 35.3/22.1 mm Hg and 13.2 mm Hg, respectively. The overall incidence of adverse events was 48.6% with no reports of dizziness, hypotension, or angioedema. The LCZ696‐based regimen was generally well‐tolerated and could present a treatment option for severe hypertension in Asian patients especially in reducing SBP and pulse pressure.     

First‐in‐human valve‐in‐valve implantation of a 20 mm balloon expandable transcatheter heart valve

An 86‐year‐old lady with recurrent admissions for heart failure due to a severely regurgitant aortic bioprosthesis (SJM Epic 19 mm) was not a candidate for re‐operation due to age and frailty. Her small ilio‐femoral arteries precluded a transfemoral transcatheter valve‐in‐valve (VIV) approach. The small internal diameter of her bioprosthesis (16 mm) forbids the implantation of the smallest available transapical transcatheter heart valve (THV). We, therefore, decided to perform a first‐in‐human transapical aortic VIV implantation using a 20 mm balloon expandable THV and a transfemoral delivery system. The procedure was successfully performed under general anesthesia, without any contrast dye and under fluoroscopy as well as transesophageal echocardiography guidance. The post‐procedural transvalvular gradient was 15 mm Hg (pre‐procedural 14 mm Hg). At 30‐day follow‐up, the lady was living independently at home without shortness of breath during her daily activities. If redo‐surgery for prosthetic regurgitation is not an option, VIV implantation in very small surgical bioprosthesis is feasible and leads to acceptable hemodynamics and clinical improvement.© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

依折麦布联合辛伐他汀降脂疗效的荟萃分析

目的对目前已发表的,研究依折麦布联合辛伐他汀降脂疗效和安全性的随机对照试验进行荟萃分析。设计综述及随机对照试验的荟萃分析。方法系统检索三个电子数据库,并通过阅读相关综述及文章的参考文献进一步获取信息,两个作者独立阅读所有文献,按入选标准纳入试验。结果最终7个干预试验被纳入荟萃分析,研究对象共计4563人。荟萃分析显示,依折麦布联合辛伐他汀与单独口服辛伐他汀相比,血浆LDL-C水平下降-15.12%,(95%CI:-19.50,-10.73,P0.0001)具有显著性统计学差异,相似的统计学差异也见于血浆HDL-C(1.89%,95%CI:1.21,2.57,P0.0001)、TC(-13.5%,95%CI:-17.32,-9.68,P0.0001)、TG(-3.09%,95%CI:-4.40,-1.78,P0.0001)。结论经短期随机对照试验荟萃分析,依折麦布联合辛伐他汀相较于辛伐他汀单独应用能更有效的降低血脂水平,但是否能够降低临床终点事件发生率,尚需要更多的长期干预试验提供证据。     

PCSK9 inhibitor valuation: A science‐based review of the two recent models

Low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) has been extensively evaluated. Prospective cohort studies, randomized controlled trials, biology, pathophysiology, genetics, and Mendelian randomization studies, have clearly taught us that LDL‐C causes atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The newest class of drugs to lower LDL‐C, the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) monoclonal antibodies, have been found to safely reduce LDL‐C approximately 60% when added to high‐intensity statin therapy. Because their cost is much greater than that of the currently available agents, their value has been questioned. In late August, 2017, two groups assessed the value of this class of drugs looking at cost‐effectiveness; however, the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review and Fonarow and colleagues found disparate results when assessing PCSK9 valuation. Herein, we review the evolution of LDL‐C from hypothesis to fact, and then attempt to adjudicate the 2 models, shedding light on the complex modeling process. We find that models of cost‐effectiveness are helpful adjuncts to decision making, but that their conclusions depend on many assumptions. Ultimately, clinician judgment regarding their clinical benefit, balanced by some estimation of cost, may be more productive to target the right patients for whom the benefits can be well‐justified.     

Dose–response relationship between statin therapy and glycaemia in community‐based patients with type 2 diabetes: the Fremantle Diabetes Study

Although statins may increase glycaemia in type 2 diabetes, available data are from single‐dose intervention trials or studies with no adjustment for concomitant changes in blood glucose‐lowering therapy. To provide real‐life data covering common statin types and doses, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) data from patients in the Fremantle Diabetes Study phases I (FDS1) and II (FDS2) and data on stable diabetes treatment before and after statin initiation were analysed. Intensity of statin therapy was categorized as low, moderate or high based on within‐group dose regimens with similar serum LDL cholesterol‐lowering effects. In pooled analyses of 335 eligible patients in FDS1 and FDS2, there was no change in HbA1c in the low‐intensity group (0.04% or 0.4 mmol/mol; n = 159; p = .40), but a mean 0.22% (2.4 mmol/mol) increase in the moderate‐intensity group (n = 185; p = .022) and a larger mean increase of 1.05% (11.5 mmol/mol) increase in the high‐intensity group (n = 11; p = .023). These real‐life data suggest a dose–response relationship between statin treatment intensity and glycaemia that has potential clinical implications.     

First‐in‐man use of a tapered endovascular stent graft for treatment of aneurysm after coarctation repair

Objectives : Endovascular stenting of aneurysms late after surgical repair of coarctation may have to deal with marked changes in aortic diameter proximal and distal to the aneurysm. We report our first‐in‐man successful use of a custom‐made tapered (variable diameter) covered stent. Methods : The aneurysm was 42 mm in diameter with a length of 40 mm. On MRI, the aorta measured 19.6 mm proximal and 13.3 mm distal to the aneurysm. The aim was to oversize the stent by 10–20%. A covered Cheatham‐platinum stent was designed so that cranial portion of the stent would expand to 22 mm and the caudal portion to 15 mm with a length of 8.5 cm when fully inflated. The stent was mounted on a balloon‐in‐balloon delivery system and was delivered through an 18 F femoral arterial sheath. Rapid‐pacing technique was used for deployment. Results : The stent was successfully deployed without complications. After deployment, the stent diameter measured 21.2 mm cranially and 15.6 mm caudally. A mild distal endoleak due to inadequate fixation of the stent graft was resolved by post dilation expanding the stent diameter to 22.1 mm and 15.9 mm, respectively. The femoral access site was closed using two percutaneous closure devices and the patient discharged the day after the procedure. Follow‐up CT‐angiography showed continued successful exclusion of the aneurysm. Conclusions : A new custom‐made balloon expandable covered stent‐design enabled successful treatment of an aortic aneurysm. This design may offer greater potential for more favorable initial angiographic results and potentially long‐term outcomes due to superior apposition to the aortic wall. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Pevonedistat (MLN4924), a First‐in‐Class NEDD8‐activating enzyme inhibitor,in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes: a phase 1 study

This trial was conducted to determine the dose‐limiting toxicities (DLTs) and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the first in class NEDD8‐activating enzyme (NAE) inhibitor, pevonedistat, and to investigate pevonedistat pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Pevonedistat was administered via a 60‐min intravenous infusion on days 1, 3 and 5 (schedule A, n = 27), or days 1, 4, 8 and 11 (schedule B, n = 26) every 21‐days. Dose escalation proceeded using a standard ‘3 + 3’ design. Responses were assessed according to published guidelines. The MTD for schedules A and B were 59 and 83 mg/m², respectively. On schedule A, hepatotoxicity was dose limiting. Multi‐organ failure (MOF) was dose limiting on schedule B. The overall complete (CR) and partial (PR) response rate in patients treated at or below the MTD was 17% (4/23, 2 CRs, 2 PRs) for schedule A and 10% (2/19, 2 PRs) for schedule B. Pevonedistat plasma concentrations peaked after infusion followed by elimination in a biphasic pattern. Pharmacodynamic studies of biological correlates of NAE inhibition demonstrated target‐specific activity of pevonedistat. In conclusion, administration of the first‐in‐class agent, pevonedistat, was feasible in patients with MDS and AML and modest clinical activity was observed.     

Efficacy and tolerability of ezetimibe 10 mg/day coadministered with statins in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia who do not achieve target LDL-C while on statin monotherapy: A Canadian, multicentre, prospective study--the Ezetrol Add-On Study

BACKGROUND: For patients who have above-target low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels while on statin monotherapy, coadministration of a cholesterol absorption inhibitor with the statin may decrease serum LDL-C levels and improve overall lipid profiles. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness and safety of ezetimibe 10 mg/day coadministered with a statin in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia who have higher than recommended LDL-C levels while on statin monotherapy. METHODS: A six-week, prospective, multicentre study of eligible patients who had above-target LDL-C levels while on monotherapy with any statin, regardless of dose, for a minimum of four weeks. All patients were treated for six weeks with 10 mg ezetimibe daily coadministered with their current statins. RESULTS: A total of 1141 patients were screened, 953 (83.5%) fulfilled the study inclusion criteria and 837 (87.8%) completed the study. Reasons for withdrawal included: lost to follow-up (50 patients [5.2%]); protocol violations (45 patients [4.7%]); adverse events (19 patients [2.0%]); and withdrawal of consent (two patients [0.2%]). After six weeks of treatment, statistically significant (P = 0.001) mean reductions were observed in LDL-C (30.05%), total cholesterol (20.84%), triglycerides (10.16%), apolipoprotein B (19.84%) and the total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (19.88%). At six weeks, 674 patients (80.5%) achieved target LDL-C levels. Fifty predominantly mild, nonserious adverse events related to ezetimibe were reported by 32 patients (3.4%). Frequently reported adverse events included constipation (n = 7 [0.7% of patients]), diarrhea (n = 4 [0.4%]) and dizziness (n = 4 [0.4%]). CONCLUSION: Ezetimibe coadministered with statins is effective in reducing LDL-C in patients who do not attain target LDL-C levels while on statin monotherapy.