Antonsen JE, Brady E, Sherrard DJ, Andress DL
A calcium receptor antagonist acutely suppresses parathyroid hormone in dialysis patients
Am Soc Nephrol
J Am Soc Nephrol (abstract) (Sep) 7:1810 1996

Although various medical therapies are effective in treating secondary hyperparathyroidism, their success has been limited by the development of hypercalcemia and/or hyperphosphatemia. Recently, a calcium receptor agonist was developed which was shown to be a potent inhibitor of PTH release. This study demonstrates the results of the calcium receptor agonist, NPS R-568, on PTH levels following a single dose. Patients received 2 doses on subsequent days and PTH levels were monitored for the 24 hours following each dose. The subjects then received a higher dose for 2 days while monitoring PTH levels. PTH levels were suppresed by over 50 %, while calcitonin levels increased by approximately 25 %. The drug was well tolerated and neither hypo- or hyper-calcemia were observed.

Comment: This is a preliminary clinical dose-finding study which suggests that the agent is both effective and safe in uremic patients. It must be noted that subjects had only mild hyperparathyroidism and limited exposure to the drug, however, the results are promising and exciting. The discovery of the calcium receptor and the development of agents that stimulate this receptor provides us with a new approach for the therapy of mineral disorders. The potential use of these agents may be much broader than for the therapy of secondary hyperparthyroidism. Further studies are required to assess the efficacy and safety of calcium agonist receptor therapy. See also abstract nos. 2735, 2829, and 2832. (Stuart Sprague, M.D., Northwestern University, Chicago, IL)

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Am Soc Nephrol
CRF by problem area : Bone disease/aluminum