Suppression of parathyroid secretion after administration of WR-2721 in a patient with parathyroid carcinoma

WR-2721 is an organic thiophosphate, known as a radioprotective agent, which also inhibits parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion and reduces the plasma calcium level in euparathyroid animals and human subjects. In this study we present evidence that WR-2721 is also able to reduce an abnormal PTH secretion in a case of parathyroid carcinoma. The intravenous infusion of a single dose (750 mg/m2) of WR-2721 was followed within 3 h by a reduction in the plasma concentration of PTH by 60%, and of Ca by about 0.45 mmol/l. These changes were associated with a diminution in urinary cAMP excretion. Based on this observation it appears that WR-2721 merits further investigation as a possible agent for the medical treatment of hyperparathyroidism.