Parathyroid cells can sense small changes in plasma Ca2+ levels by virtue o
f a cell surface Ca2+ receptor. Calcimimetics are newly synthesized compoun
ds that act as agonists or positive allosteric modulators at the Ca2+ recep
tor and can suppress parathyroid hormone secretion. The first-generation ca
lcimimetic, NPS R-568, has undergone clinical trials in primary hyperparath
yroidism and in hyperparathyroidism secondary to chronic renal insufficienc
y. The data accumulated so far demonstrate that calcimimetics have potentia
l as therapeutic agents for hyperparathyroidism and related bone diseases s
uch as osteitis fibrosa, Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens 3:429-433. (C) 1999 Li
ppincott Williams & Wilkins.