CETP Inhibition in CVD Prevention: an Actual Appraisal

By virtue of their effects on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and cellular cholesterol efflux, there is considerable interest in the potential use of pharmacological inhibitors of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) as a novel approach for cardiovascular disease prevention. This is supported by observations from genetic and animal studies suggesting that less CETP activity has favorable cardiovascular effects. Despite the adverse effects of the first CETP inhibitor to move forward in clinical development, torcetrapib, there remains considerable interest in developing alternative CETP inhibitors without the off-target effects of torcetrapib. The clinical development programs leading to a number of promising CETP inhibitors will be reviewed.