The Effect of Etelcalcetide on CKD-MBD

Chronic kidney disease - mineral and bone disease (CKD-MBD) is a disorder of bone and mineral metabolism in patients with CKD. When kidney function is poor, levels of vitamin D, phosphate and parathyroid hormone become abnormal and patients are at risk for bone disease and fractures (renal osteodystrophy) and the deposition of calcium in blood vessels and muscles. CKD-MBD increases the risk of fractures, heart attacks, strokes, and death. Treatment of CKD-MBD is focused on lowering levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) by giving vitamin D and lowering levels of phosphorous by giving phosphate binders. In patients with end stage kidney disease (ESKD), target levels of PTH recommended by the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines are in the range of 2-9 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) for the PTH assay. In many cases, in patients with long-standing ESKD, the parathyroid gland may no longer respond to treatment with vitamin D and phosphate lowering. In these cases, treatment with a calcimimetic, a medicine that increases the sensitivity of the parathyroid gland to serum levels of calcium, can restore PTH levels to goal.