Barter - Figure 26 - ILLUMINATE vs DEFINE Text

This Figure compares the published endpoint results from the ILLUMINATE trial[25] (with torcetrapib) and the DEFINE trial[26] (with anacetrapib). This is not a formal analysis, it simply a comparison. As illustrated in the Figure, the combined endpoint in ILLUMINATE was an overall statistically significantly negative result with the CETP inhibitor, whereas in DEFINE, although the results for 2 of the outcomes crossed the line of unity (except for revascularization alone) and so were not statistically significant, nevertheless the trend was clearly for a positive outcome with CETP inhibition. This negative versus positive overall profile holds true, whether looking at

• total cardiovascular events, cardiovascular disease, MI, or unstable angina
• revascularization
• death, MI, stroke, unstable angina, or revascularization

Thus these results with anacetrapib were clearly sufficiently encouraging to suggest that it is worthwhile to proceed with a real outcomes trial designed to test the hypothesis that in patients well-treated with statins, and who still have residual risk, that residual risk will be reduced by treatment with a CETP inhibitor that is apparently safe.

Barter P. J Clin Lipidol. 2011; 5(6).