Healthy Skepticism Library item: 1645

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Avorn J.
Torcetrapib and atorvastatin--should marketing drive the research agenda?
N Engl J Med 2005 Jun 23; 352:(25):2573-6
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/extract/352/25/2573

Abstract:

First 100 words:
In light of the success of the statin drugs, interest in preventive cardiology has shifted to new frontiers of pharmacologic intervention: defining optimal levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, inhibiting cholesterol absorption, addressing the inflammatory component of atherosclerosis, and increasing the levels of protective high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. This last approach attracted attention last year when it was reported that a new drug, torcetrapib, could substantially increase levels of HDL cholesterol by inhibiting cholesteryl ester transfer protein.1 The drug was heralded as a novel weapon against heart disease that could be an important clinical tool if its effect on