title: The potential of cholesteryl ester transfer protein as a therapeutic target.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Over recent decades, attempts to ascertain the pro-atherogenic nature of plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and to establish the relevance of its pharmacological blockade as a promising high density lipoproteins-raising and anti-atherogenic therapy have been disappointing.
  
  
  METHODS
  The current review focuses on CETP as a multifaceted protein, on genetic variations at the CETP gene and on their possible consequences for cardiovascular risk in human populations. Specific attention is given to physiological modulation of endogenous CETP activity by the apoC1 inhibitor. Finally, the rationale behind the need for selection of patients to treat is discussed in the light of recent studies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At this stage one can only speculate on the clinical outcome of pharmacological CETP inhibitors in high-risk populations, but recent advances give cause to adjust the expectations from now on. The CETP effect is probably largely influenced by the overall metabolic state, and whether CETP blockade may be relevant or not in promoting cholesterol disposal is still questioned. The possible need for a careful stratification of patients to treat with CETP inhibitors is outlined. Finally, manipulation of CETP activity should be considered with caution in the context of sepsis and infectious diseases.
authors.affiliation: a 1 INSERM, LNC UMR866 , F-21000 Dijon, France.|b 2 University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté , F-21000 Dijon, France.|c 3 LipSTIC LabEx, Fondation de Coopération Scientifique Bourgogne-Franche Comté , F-21000 Dijon, France.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gautier
authors.affiliation: a 1 INSERM, LNC UMR866 , F-21000 Dijon, France.|b 2 University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté , F-21000 Dijon, France.|c 3 LipSTIC LabEx, Fondation de Coopération Scientifique Bourgogne-Franche Comté , F-21000 Dijon, France.|d 4 University Hospital of Dijon , F-21000 Dijon, France.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Masson
authors.affiliation: a 1 INSERM, LNC UMR866 , F-21000 Dijon, France.|b 2 University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté , F-21000 Dijon, France.|c 3 LipSTIC LabEx, Fondation de Coopération Scientifique Bourgogne-Franche Comté , F-21000 Dijon, France.|d 4 University Hospital of Dijon , F-21000 Dijon, France.|e 5 UMR866, UFR Sciences de Santé, 7 boulevard Jeanne d'Arc , F-21000 Dijon, France laurent.lagrost@u-bourgogne.fr.
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lagrost
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053480:Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D018579:Patient Selection; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: C506642:CETP protein, human; D053480:Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins
keywords: atherosclerosis; cardiovascular disease; cholesteryl ester transfer protein; high-density lipoprotein; inhibitors; low density lipoprotein; very low density lipoprotein