Nothing Captivating About Acyl–Coenzyme A:Cholesterol Acyltransferase Inhibition

Findings from an atherosclerosis progression study squelch the clinical prospects of yet another cholesterol-targeting agent.

Acyl–coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibition has been touted as a novel means to control cholesterol accumulation in human tissue. Animal studies have been promising, although several clinical trials (including ACTIVATE, which was conducted in parallel to the present study) have failed to demonstrate improvement in cardiovascular endpoints (JW Cardiol Apr 27 2006).

The Carotid Atherosclerosis Progression Trial Investigating Vascular ACAT Inhibition Treatment Effects (CAPTIVATE) was an industry-supported, double-blind study of the effects of pactimibe, an ACAT inhibitor, on carotid atherosclerosis. Investigators randomized 892 patients with familial hypercholesterolemia to receive standard lipid-lowering therapy plus either p…

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)

Nothing Captivating About Acyl–Coenzyme A:Cholesterol Acyltransferase Inhibition

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Reviewing Author