Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein Inhibition for Dyslipidemia: Hope Remains

An experimental drug shows promise in phase I trials, but many questions still need answers.

Although the inhibition of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) was met with great hope as a potential mechanism for treating dyslipidemia, recent data from the ILLUMINATE trial (Journal Watch Cardiology Nov 5 2007) demonstrating increased mortality in patients receiving the CETP inhibitor torcetrapib have raised concerns about the viability of this approach. In particular, blood pressure elevation associated with torcetrapib was thought to contribute to its toxicity. To explore whether BP elevation is a class effect or unique to torcetrapib, investigators assessed the effects of anacetrapib, another CETP inhibitor under development, on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and on …

Reviewing Author

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)

Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein Inhibition for Dyslipidemia: Hope Remains

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Reviewing Author