Etelcalcetide controls secondary hyperparathyroidism and raises sclerostin levels in hemodialysis patients previously uncontrolled with cinacalcet

IntroductionThere is scarce clinical experience with etelcalcetide in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism uncontrolled with cinacalcet. The effect of etelcalcetide on serum sclerostin levels remains to be clarified.Materials and methodsProspective cohort study in prevalent hemodialysis patients with uncontrolled sHPT under cinacalcet for at least 3 months, mean parathyroid hormone (PTH) > 800 pg/mL and calcium (Ca) > 8.3 mg/dL. Etelcalcetide 5 mg IV/HD was initiated after cinacalcet washout. Levels of PTH, Ca, and phosphorus (Pi) followed monthly for 6 months. Plasma sclerostin levels measured before etelcalcetide treatment and after 6 months.ResultsThirty-four patients were enrolled, 19 (55.9%) male gender. Mean age 60.7 (± 12.3) years; median time on HD 82.5 (7–296) months and median cinacalcet dose was 180 mg/week (Interquartile Range: 180–270).Serum Ca, Pi and PTH levels showed a significant reduction after etelcalcetide treatment from 8.8 mg/dL, 5.4 mg/dL and 1005 pg/mL to 8.1 mg/dL (p = 0.08), 4.9 mg/dL (p = 0.01) and 702 pg/mL (p < 0.001), respectively. Median etelcalcetide dose remained at 5 mg/HD. Plasma sclerostin concentration increased from 35.66 pmol/L (IQR11.94–54.58) to 71.05 pmol/L (IQR54.43–84.91) (p < 0.0001).ConclusionEtelcalcetide improved sHPT control in this group of patients, previously under cinacalcet treatment, and significantly increased plasma sclerostin concentration. The impact of etelcalcetide treatment on sclerostin levels is a novel finding.