Lomitapide is an inhibitor of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTTP; IC50 = 0.5 nM in a triglyceride transfer assay).1 It inhibits apolipoprotein B (ApoB) secretion in HepG2 cells (EC50 = 0.8 nM). Lomitapide inhibits triglyceride secretion in fasted rats (ED50 = 0.19 mg/kg, p.o.) and reduces total plasma cholesterol levels in hamsters (ED50 = 2.4 mg/kg). It also decreases plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the Watanabe-heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbit model of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia when administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg. Formulations containing lomitapide have been used as an adjunct to a low-fat diet and other lipid-lowering treatments in the treatment of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.
1.Wetterau, J.R., Gregg, R.E., Harrity, T.W., et al.An MTP inhibitor that normalizes atherogenic lipoprotein levels in WHHL rabbitsScience282(5389)751-754(1998)