Meta-analysis of 34,781 patients confirms the lipid benefits of anacetrapib carry no excess hepatic or muscular risk (Postgrad Med 2018)

Original title: The effect and safety of anacetrapib in the treatment of dyslipidemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Postgrad Med · 14 November 2017 · 7

Zhou J, Zhang Q, Wang Y, Gao P, Chen D

A systematic review and meta-analysis searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library through October 5, 2017, identifying 10 randomized controlled trials with 34781 dyslipidemic patients comparing anacetrapib with placebo. Pooled results showed anacetrapib significantly raised HDL cholesterol (weighted mean difference 53.07, 95% CI 46.79 to 59.36) and apolipoprotein AI (WMD 53.44, 95% CI 45.72 to 61.16), while significantly lowering LDL cholesterol (WMD -32.99, 95% CI -37.13 to -28.86), non-HDL cholesterol (WMD -39.19, 95% CI -52.22 to -26.16), triglycerides (WMD -9.97, 95% CI -10.54 to -9.41), apolipoprotein B (WMD -22.55, 95% CI -28.56 to -16.54), and lipoprotein(a) (WMD -13.35, 95% CI -18.31 to -8.39). No significant differences emerged between anacetrapib and placebo for hepatotoxicity, musculoskeletal injury, drug-related adverse events, or drug-related withdrawal, supporting a favorable benefit-risk profile for anacetrapib in dyslipidemia management.

Original abstract

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Anacetrapib may be a new treatment option that has a cardiovascular benefit for the management of dyslipidemia.

Objective: The aim of our current study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect and safety of anacetrapib in the treatment of dyslipidemia.

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library database from their inception to 5 October 2017, with the terms: 'anacetrapib' and 'placebo'. From 287 initial citations, 10 studies including 34781 patients with dyslipidemia were included in the final systematic review and meta-analysis.

Results: Pooled results showed that anacetrapib significantly increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) [weighted mean differences (WMD) 53.07, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 46.79 to 59.36] and apolipoprotein AI (ApoAI) (WMD 53.44, 95% CI 45.72 to 61.16). Our study also showed that anacetrapib significantly reduced low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (WMD -32.99; 95% CI -37.13 to -28.86), Non-HDL-C (WMD -39.19; 95% CI -52.22 to -26.16), triglycerides (TG) (WMD -9.97; 95% CI -10.54 to -9.41), apolipoprotein B (ApoB) (WMD -22.55; 95% CI -28.56 to -16.54) and lipoprotein a [LP(a)] (WMD -13.35; 95% CI -18.31 to -8.39). Our results demonstrated that there was no significant difference in all the following adverse events between the anacetrapib group and placebo group: [hepato-toxicity (OR 0.90, 95% CI: 0.75 to 1.07); musculoskeletal injury (OR 1.01, 95% CI: 0.88 to 1.15); drug-related adverse event (OR 1.00, 95% CI: 0.96 to 1.05); drug-related withdrawn (OR 1.01, 95% CI: 0.95 to 1.08)].

Conclusions: Although further studies are needed, our findings clearly offer support to the use of anacetrapib in the clinical management of patients with dyslipidemia.

Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 18 August 2026. Methods.