HDL biology
Review reports CETP autoimmunization vaccine has reached human trials alongside apolipoprotein mimetics (Curr Atheroscler Rep 2004)
Original title: Biologic therapies for dyslipidemia
This review surveys biologic therapies, meaning proteins, DNA, antibodies, or other living-tissue-derived substances, in clinical development for atherosclerosis prevention and treatment. It reports that apolipoprotein mimetics, including apolipoprotein A-1 Milano and phospholipid complexes, are the most advanced in human trials, with infusions shown to reduce atherosclerotic development in animal models and humans. It also states that autoimmunization to create neutralizing antibodies against cholesteryl ester transfer protein has likewise reached human trials, and notes that gene therapies to lower LDL and raise HDL remain on the horizon pending safer vectors for prolonged gene expression.
Original abstract
Biologic therapies involve the utilization of proteins, DNA, antibodies, or other substances derived or synthesized from living tissue for therapeutic effects. There are several biologic therapies in clinical development for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis. The most advanced in human trials are apolipoprotein mimetics, which include apolipoprotein A-1 Milano and phospholipid complexes. Infusions of these apolipoprotein mimetics have been demonstrated to reduce atherosclerotic development in both animal models and humans. Autoimmunization to create neutralizing antibodies to cholesteryl ester transfer protein is also in human trials. Gene therapies to reduce low-density lipoproteins and increase high-density lipoproteins are on the horizon, but the ability to safely prolong gene expression in humans will require the development of novel vectors.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 19 August 2026. Methods.