Cinacalcet attenuates hypercalcemia observed in mice bearing either Rice H-500 Leydig cell or C26-DCT colon tumors.

Excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) by tumors stimulates bone resorption and increases renal tubular reabsorption of calcium, resulting in hypercalcemia of malignancy. We investigated the ability of cinacalcet, an allosteric modulator of the calcium-sensing receptor, to attenuate hypercalcemia by assessing its effects on blood ionized calcium, serum PTHrP, and calcium-sensing receptor mRNA in mice bearing either Rice H-500 Leydig cell or C26-DCT colon tumors. Cinacalcet effectively decreased hypercalcemia in a dose- and enantiomer-dependent manner; furthermore, cinacalcet normalized phosphorus levels, but did not affect serum PTHrP. Ribonuclease protection assay results demonstrated presence of PTHrP receptor, but not calcium-sensing receptor mRNA in C26-DCT tumors. The mechanism by which cinacalcet lowered serum calcium was investigated in parathyroidectomized rats (i.e., without PTH) made hypercalcemic by PTHrP. Cinacalcet attenuated PTHrP-mediated elevations in blood ionized calcium, which were accompanied by increased plasma calcitonin. Taken together these results suggest that the cinacalcet-mediated decrease in serum calcium is not the result of a direct effect on tumor cells, but rather is the result of increased calcitonin release. In summary, cinacalcet effectively reduced tumor-mediated hypercalcemia and corrected hypophosphatemia in mice. Further investigation of cinacalcet for treatment of hypercalcemia of malignancy is warranted.

Cinacalcet HCl prevents development of parathyroid gland hyperplasia and reverses established parathyroid gland hyperplasia in a rodent model of CKD.

BACKGROUND: Secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT) represents an adaptive response to progressively impaired control of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D in chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is characterized by parathyroid hyperplasia and excessive synthesis and secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH). Parathyroid hyperplasia in uremic rats can be prevented by calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) activation with the calcimimetic cinacalcet (Sensipar®/Mimpara®); however, it is unknown, how long the effects of cinacalcet persist after withdrawal of treatment or if cinacalcet is efficacious in uremic rats with established sHPT. METHODS: We sought to determine the effect of cinacalcet discontinuation in uremic rats and whether cinacalcet was capable of influencing parathyroid hyperplasia in animals with established sHPT. RESULTS: Discontinuation of cinacalcet resulted in reversal of the beneficial effects on serum PTH and parathyroid hyperplasia. In rats with established sHPT, cinacalcet decreased serum PTH and mediated regression of parathyroid hyperplasia. The cinacalcet-mediated decrease in parathyroid gland size was accompanied by increased expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21. Prevention of cellular proliferation with cinacalcet occurred despite increased serum phosphorus and decreased serum calcium. CONCLUSIONS: The animal data provided suggest established parathyroid hyperplasia can be reversed by modulating CaSR activity with cinacalcet and that continued treatment may be necessary to maintain reductions in PTH.

Cinacalcet HCl attenuates parathyroid hyperplasia in a rat model of secondary hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a physiologic response to kidney failure characterized by elevated serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and parathyroid gland enlargement. Calcimimetic agents acting through allosteric modification of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) can attenuate parathyroid hyperplasia in rats with secondary HPT. The present study explores the effects of the calcimimetic cinacalcet HCl on parathyroid hyperplasia, apoptosis, and PTH secretion in a rat model of secondary HPT. METHODS: Cinacalcet HCl was gavaged daily (1, 5, or 10 mg/kg) for 4 weeks starting 6 weeks post-5/6 nephrectomy. After dosing, hyperplasia was determined using parathyroid weight and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunochemistry. Apoptosis was determined using in situ techniques. Serum PTH((1-34)) and blood chemistries were determined throughout the course of the study. RESULTS: Administration of cinacalcet HCl (5 or 10 mg/kg) significantly reduced the number of PCNA-positive cells and decreased parathyroid weight compared with vehicle-treated 5/6 nephrectomized rats. There was no difference in apoptosis from cinacalcet HCl-treated or vehicle-treated animals. Serum PTH and blood ionized calcium levels decreased in cinacalcet HCl-treated animals compared with vehicle-treated controls. CONCLUSION: The results confirm previous work demonstrating that calcimimetic agents attenuate the progression of parathyroid hyperplasia in subtotally nephrectomized rats, extending earlier observations to now include cinacalcet HCl. These results support a role for the CaR in regulating parathyroid cell proliferation. Therefore, cinacalcet HCl may represent a novel therapy for improving the management of secondary HPT.