Torcetrapib Failure May Not Doom Other Drugs in Class

Two upcoming imaging trials will provide valuable additional clues to torcetrapib's risks. One of these, the ILLUSTRATE trial, uses intravascular ultrasound to evaluate atherosclerotic plaque burden, said Dr. Steven Nissen, a principal investigator in that study.

ILLUSTRATE included 1,190 patients randomized to the combination of torcetrapib and atorvastatin or to atorvastatin alone. Data collection is complete; Dr. Nissen, medical director of the Cleveland Clinic Cardiovascular Coordinating Center, said he will present the results at the American College of Cardiology meeting in March.