CETP @ AHA: Two studies showed torcetrapib boosted hormone levels (aldosterone) that spur fatty plaque formation and blood pressure, which may be responsible for the increase in deaths, heart attacks, stroke and hospitalizations. In one, Merck's CETP drug anacetrapib didn't cause similar increases when tested in mice.
A third trial found the HDL particles in torcetrapib were functional and could reduce heart disease. The imaging study from the Cleveland Clinic found that the amount of plaque shrank in arteries of patients who had the biggest rise in HDL levels. The benefit was concealed by harm from the drug in patients who didn't have as great an HDL response, researchers said.
Torcetrapib ``has a bizarre, off-target toxicity that caused it to produce harm and concealed the benefit'' of raising good cholesterol, said Steven Nissen, head of cardiology at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, in an interview. ``Now there's a race on. We can get back on the horse and try again.''
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