The role of a parathyroid hormone analogue in the pathogenesis of malignant hypercalcemia

Patients with malignant hypercalcemia can display not only an increase in bone resorption, but also changes in the renal tubular reabsorption of calcium and phosphate similar to those found in primary hyperparathyroidism. A protein of tumoral origin likely responsible for this syndrome has been described. Even if produced by another gene than parathyroid hormone, it shares a homology in the aminoterminus and seems to exert a similar spectrum of action. Besides its role in malignant hypercalcemia, this analogue may be involved in physiological regulatory processes.