Evacetrapib Raises HDL and Lowers LDL — but Then What?

The cholesterol ester transfer protein inhibitor evacetrapib had very favorable lipid effects, but the trial was small and lasted only 12 weeks.

Epidemiologic data clearly show an inverse correlation between high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels and coronary artery disease (CAD). Yet, few drugs are known to increase HDL levels, and achieving definitive improvement in clinical outcomes with HDL-raising agents remains elusive. The AIM-HIGH trial was halted when raising HDL levels with niacin failed to show any clinical benefit (JW Gen Med Jun 7 2011); data from the HPS-2-THRIVE trial of niacin are forthcoming. Raising HDL levels via cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibition initially showed promise, but the ILLUMINATE trial of the CETP inhibitor torcetrapib was stopped early because of increased mortality in the study-drug arm (JW Cardiol Nov 5 2007).

Investigato…

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)

Evacetrapib Raises HDL and Lowers LDL — but Then What?

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Reviewing Author