[Calcimimetics: physiology, results of preclinical and clinical studies, and perspectives]

Secondary hyperparathyroidism is associated with an increased risk of skeletal fractures and mortality in dialysis patients. Classical treatments such as active vitamin D derivatives and surgical parathyroidectomy are efficient but have some limitations. Second generation calcimimetics allow to control serum PTH levels without increasing serum calcium phosphorus product. This article reviews the physiological bases of PTH regulation, the mode of action of calcimimetics and the results of preclinical and clinical studies evaluating the effect of calcimimetics on different biochemical, clinical and histological parameters.