RE:RE:gv...MACE vs. QoL vs. Lipitor-Crestor or 208...RVX-208 is for low-HDL, Statins are for high-LDL. Two completely different drug targets and mostly non-overlapping mechanisms of action. I say mostly because I think statins have been reported to have some anti-inflammatory effects.
There are many pharmaceutical alternatives for lowering LDL, including statins ezetimibe (Vytorin), recently approved PCSK9 neutralizing antibodies, and soon to enter Phase 3 ETC-1002 from Esperion, in addition to some very effective lifestyle changes.
There is no approved drug for raising HDL. RVX-208 can do this in the low-HDL population. The only HDL raising drug on the horizon are the CETP inhibitors.....but the jury is still out on that class of drugs.
There is incredible residual risk for cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients. RVX-208 can treat this.
Many patients on statins still have poor HDL profile, ongoing inflammation and cardiovascular risk. RVX-208 can provide additional protection against MACE in these patients.
LDL lowering is still the mosr common standard of care treatment for those with a cardiovascular risk due to a disturbed lipoprotein profile (usually high LDL). Because of this, the notion of high-LDL, low-HDL patients taking only RVX-208 instead of statin + RVX-208 has very little weight to it.