JTT-705: is there still future for a CETP inhibitor after torcetrapib?

Background: Despite reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, there is still a considerable amount of residual atherosclerosis-related disease. Epidemiological and pathophysiological data strongly favour increasing plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels as antiatherogenic therapy, for example with cholesteryl ester transfer inhibition (CETP). However, negative Phase III studies on clinical end points with the CETP inhibitor torcetrapib challenge the future perspectives of other CETP inhibitors such as JTT-705.

Objective: Is there potential for CETP inhibition with JTT-705 after torcetrapib's collapse?

Methods: Search of articles in Pubmed citing JTT-705, torcetrapib and anacetrapib, or citing effects of pharmacological HDL-cholesterol raising or CETP inhibition.

Results/conclusion: There is possibly a future for HDL-cholesterol raising therapies. Phase III clinical studies with either JTT-705 or anacetrapib will determine whether CETP inhibition is beneficial.