CETP Gene Variants Not Associated with CVD Risk

A prospective biobank study concluded that genetic variants of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) were associated with altered high-density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism but not lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and had no significant association with risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The study included 151 217 individuals aged 30 to 79 years in China from June 25, 2004, through July 15, 2008. Median follow-up of 9.2 years was completed January 1, 2016. Five CETP variants were combined in a genetic score and were strongly associated with higher concentrations of HDL cholesterol but not lower LDL cholesterol levels. When scaled to 10-mg/dL higher levels of HDL cholesterol, the CETP genetic score was not associated with occlusive CVD, major coronary events, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, or other vascular diseases or carotid plaque. The results suggest that in the absence of reduced LDL cholesterol levels, increasing HDL cholesterol levels by inhibition of CETP may not confer significant benefits for CVD. Source: https://jamanetwork.com/