Use of Cinacalcet in the treatment of persistent hyperparathyroidism post-renal transplant. A single center experience in Argentina
Abstract
Introduction: Renal transplant (RTx) is associated with the decrease in serum parathyroidhormone (PTH) levels. The persistence of high PTH levels associated to hypercalcemia is suggestive of persistent hyperparathyroidism (pHPT). pHPT is a risk factor for vascular calcifications, bone loss, and graft survival. Cinacalcet acts on the calcium sensing receptor increasing their activation by ionic Ca, reducing serum PTH, Ca, and phosphate (P) levels. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cinacalcet in RTx patients with pHPT and hypercalcemia. Methods: We performed a retrospective, observational study in 14 RTx patients who received cinacalcet for at least 3 months as part of the pHPT treatment. Results: Pre-cinacalcet iPTH levels were 159 ± 70 pg/ml; after one month it was 151 ± 110 pg/ml, 150 ± 96 pg/ml at three months, 142 ± 64 at six months and 139 ± 75 pg/ml after one year. The decrease in the iPTH was not significant. The serum Ca significantly decreased from 11.3 ± 0.8 to 10.0 ± 0.8 mg/dl after one month (p<0.001) keeping serum levels stable after three (10.2 ± 1.0), six (10.3 ± 0.5), and twelve (10 ± 0.4) months. P was 2.7 ± 0.79 mg/dl at the beginning of treatment, keeping their levels stable after 3, 6, and 12 months. The average dose of cinacalcet at the
beginning was 30 mg increasing in a non-significant way on the 3rd month to 32 ± 12 mg/d, on the 6th month to 40 ± 22 mg/d, and on the 12th month to
41.6 ± 18 mg/d. Conclusion: In this small cohort of patients with pHPT and hypercalcemia, cinacalcet was effective in reducing serum Ca levels
(p<0.001), but not iPTH.
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