Cholesteryl ester transfer protein and ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 genotype alter the atorvastatin and simvastatin efficacy: time for genotype-guided therapy?

We compared the efficacy of atorvastatin with simvastatin according to cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) genes. Patients treated with atorvastatin (n = 254) or simvastatin (n = 332) were genotyped for CETP (TaqIB and I405V) and ABCA1 (R219K) genetic variants. For genotype B1B2, atorvastatin compared with simvastatin treatment resulted in a greater decrease in total cholesterol (35.4% vs 31.6%, P = .035) and a lower increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (2% vs 8%, P = .05). For genotype B2B2, atorvastatin compared with simvastatin treatment resulted in a lower decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (31.85 vs 42%, P = .029). For genotypes RR and KK, atorvastatin compared with simvastatin treatment resulted in a greater decrease of triglycerides (27% vs 17% and 35% vs 15%, respectively; P = .02 for all comparisons). The TaqIB and R219K (opposite to I405V) gene polymorphisms seem to modify the response to lipid-lowering therapy with simvastatin or atorvastatin treatment.