Control of parathyroid cell growth by calcimimetics.

Parathyroid cell hyperplasia is commonly observed in patients with chronic renal insufficiency and largely accounts for refractory secondary hyperparathyroidism. Calcimimetics are newly synthesized compounds that activate a calcium receptor on the parathyroid cell and can suppress parathyroid hormone secretion. The calcimimetic compound AMG 073 has been examined in clinical trials, and the data obtained so far demonstrate that the compound can lower the circulating levels of parathyroid hormone and calcium-phosphorus product in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism. Furthermore, experimental evidence indicates that calcimimetics have the potential to inhibit parathyroid cell proliferation and block the progression of parathyroid hyperplasia. These beneficial effects, especially the potential to control parathyroid cell proliferation, would place calcimimetics among the essential therapeutic agents for treating secondary hyperparathyroidism.