Genetics
A review argues CETP-TaqI-B polymorphism data support genetic testing, while cautioning that CETP-inhibitor cardioprotection remains unproven (Clin Chem Lab Med 2000)
Original title: Genetic polymorphisms and activity of cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP): should we be measuring them?
This review examines whether measuring CETP genetic polymorphisms and activity has clinical value. Several approaches exist to measure CETP activity and mass, but these assays remain unstandardized, making cross-laboratory comparisons impossible, and there is insufficient information to establish CETP as a coronary heart disease predictor. Several genetic variants at the CETP locus have generally been associated with higher HDL cholesterol, though consensus is lacking on whether this CETP-related HDL increase translates into protection against coronary heart disease. The most recent evidence at the time, from the common CETP-TaqI-B polymorphism, showed that the lower CETP activity associated with this variant decreases coronary heart disease risk in men, fueling interest in developing CETP inhibitors to raise HDL cholesterol and reduce coronary heart disease risk, though the review explicitly notes that evidence for the cardioprotective role of such drugs was not yet available.
Original abstract
Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is a plasma glycoprotein that mediates the transfer of cholesteryl ester from high density lipoproteins (HDL) to triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in exchange for triglycerides. Several approaches are currently being used in research laboratories to measure its activity and/or mass. However, these assays are not standardized and it is not possible to compare data from different laboratories. Also, we lack enough information to assess the value of this variable as a coronary heart disease (CHD) predictor. Several genetic variants at CETP locus have been identified and they have been generally associated with increased HDL-cholesterol concentrations. However, there is no consensus about the association of this CETP-related increase in HDL-cholesterol and protection against CHD. Nevertheless, the most recent evidence from the common CETP-TaqI-B polymorphism shows that the lower CETP activity associated with the presence of this polymorphism decreases CHD risk in men. Based on this and previous evidence, there has been an interest in the development of CETP inhibitors as a tool to increase HOL-cholesterol, thus reducing CHD risk. However, it should be noted that the evidence about the cardioprotective role of these drugs is not yet available.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 18 August 2026. Methods.