New data suggest Crestor also tackles inflammation aspect of atherosclerosis

Results from a new sub-analysis of the JUPITER study show that patients who attained a dual treatment target of low-density lipoprotein of under  70mg/dL and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein less than 2mg/L with  AstraZeneca's Crestor (rosuvastatin) 20mg achieved a greater reduction  in cardiovascular events compared to placebo than those who did not (65%  versus 36%, p=0.033) among men and women with low-to-normal cholesterol  levels and elevated hsCRP.

Data presented at the 58th Annual American College of Cardiology  Scientific Sessions in Florida, show that those who achieved an LDL-C  <70 mg/dL experienced a 55% drop in CV events compared to placebo. In  addition, subjects who achieved a dual treatment target of  LDL-C<70mg/dL and hsCRP <1mg/L achieved a 79% drop in CV events.

Michael Cressman, AstraZeneca's medical science director for Crestor,  noted that "raised LDL-C is one of the major causes of atherosclerosis,  an underlying cause of cardiovascular disease. Elevated CRP is a  recognized marker of inflammation, so this analysis also suggests that.  in addition to its lipid-lowering properties, Crestor may impact another  aspect of atherosclerosis, inflammation."