Pfizer drug combo proves effective in regulating cholesterol

The studies were designed to determine whether torcetrapib/Lipitor therapy can effectively raise HDL (‘good’) cholesterol while lowering LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol, a leading risk factor for heart disease.

In a study of nearly 500 patients, those who received torcetrapib (60mg) and Lipitor (10, 20, 40, 80mg) had increases in HDL-cholesterol of 44% to 66%. At the same time, their LDL-cholesterol dropped by 41% to 60%.

“These results demonstrate that torcetrapib/atorvastatin can dramatically raise HDL while providing LDL-lowering benefits greater than Lipitor alone,” said Dr Joseph Feczko, Pfizer’s chief medical officer.

“These results were pivotal in our decision to move forward with a phase III program, the final stage in clinical development,” he continued. “If this program is successful, this new approach could change the way physicians manage cholesterol and reduce further the risk of atherosclerosis in their patients.”

Numerous clinical studies have established that lowering LDL-cholesterol plays a critical role in reducing the risk of heart attacks, stroke and cardiovascular death. One of the main effects attributed to HDL-cholesterol is the ability to carry cholesterol away from cells (such as in the artery wall where it contributes to heart disease) back to the liver. Researchers believe that raising HDL-cholesterol may provide further benefits in the management of cardiovascular disease, which may have the potential to further reduce cardiovascular risk for patients.