What CETP Inhibitors are Used to Raise HDL?

Drugs called cholesteryl-ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitors have shown promise at treating high cholesterol by raising high-density lipoprotein (HDL). A clinical trial found that CETP inhibitor torcetrapib increased HDL, but the trial was terminated due to an increase in cardiovascular problems and death. Other CETP inhibitors include dalcetrapib and anacetrapib.

How it Works

• CETP inhibitors can block the release of cholesterol from HDL particles, increase HDL levels, and prevent development of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), according to the New England Journal of Medicine.

Good Cholesterol

• HDL is called good cholesterol because it can carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it's broken down and eliminated, said the American Heart Association. LDL is considered bad cholesterol.

Promising Idea

• A large clinical trial testing a combination of a cholesterol-lowering drug called atorvastatin and CETP inhibitor torcetrapib found that it raised HDL, but also increased cardiovascular complications, even mortality rates, according to the New England Journal of Medicine.

CETP Future

• Despite the failure of the torcetrapib clinical trial, the New England Journal of Medicine found a glimmer of hope for future development of CETP inhibitors that also raise HDL levels.

Other CETP Inhibitors

• Anacetrapib and dalcetrapib (also known as JTT-705) are other CETP inhibitors still in development.