Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitors are being explored for their ability to elevate HDL-C. A small molecule CETP inhibitor, torcetrapib, has been demonstrated to elevate HDL-C by 60-100%. However, a large clinical trial (ILLUMINATE) where it increased HDL-C by a mean of 72% compared to baseline was halted as it failed to show benefit. Post-hoc analysis of this study implicated an off-target increase in blood pressure as potentially counteracting any anti-atherosclerotic benefits. Post-hoc subgroup analysis showed that patients in the highest HDL-C quartile had a 57% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular events.