Post-Transplant Cinacalcet May Be An Option

Cinacalcet may be useful for treating hyperparathyroidism after renal transplantation, new findings suggest.

John B. Copley, MD, of Cleveland Clinic Florida in Weston, Fla., and colleagues examined data from 41 renal transplant recipients receiving cinacalcet—a calcimimetic that lowers parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium in CKD patients—for three or more months starting three or more months post-transplantation.

Median intact PTH levels decreased 21.8% during the assessment phase (three to six months after treatment initiation), according to a report in Transplantation Proceedings (2010;42:2503-2508). About one third of patients had a 30% or greater decrease in intact PTH from baseline. Median calcium levels decreased 6.8%. Median phosphorus levels increased 10% but remained within normal limits. The estimated glomerular filtration rate was stable through the study.

From the October 01, 2010 Issue of Renal and Urology News