The class
Review weighs conflicting evidence for CETP as a pro- versus antiatherogenic therapeutic target (Expert Opin Ther Targets 2008)
Original title: Cholesterol ester transfer protein: a therapeutic target in atherosclerosis?
This review examines CETP's established role transporting cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver for elimination, and the rationale for CETP inhibition as a route to raising HDL cholesterol and protecting against atherosclerosis. Surveying animal and human studies, the authors find evidence supporting both pro-atherogenic and antiatherogenic roles for CETP, concluding that clinical trials of CETP inhibitors remained under serious consideration but that further work was needed to resolve CETP's role in lipid metabolism before combination strategies for treating atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease could be developed with confidence.
Original abstract
Background: CETP has an established role in the transport of cholesterol from the peripheral tissues to the liver for elimination. The fact that CETP was recognized as a target for raising high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels has led to research on CETP inhibitors to protect against atherosclerosis.
Objective: To review the role of CETP as a pivotal target for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases and the effect of its overexpression or inhibition on lipid metabolism.
Methods: A review of literature on the role of CETP in cholesterol metabolism and on recent developments on CETP inhibitors.
Results/Conclusions: Animal and human studies have provided evidence supporting both the pro- and antiatherogenic roles of CETP. Clinical trials with CETP inhibitors remain under serious consideration. Further studies are necessary for understanding of the role of CETP in lipid metabolism and the development of novel therapies involving a combination of strategies for treatment of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 19 August 2026. Methods.