William G. Goodman

Effect of cinacalcet on cardiovascular disease in patients undergoing dialysis

BACKGROUND Disorders of mineral metabolism, including secondary hyperparathyroidism, are thought to contribute to extraskeletal (including vascular) calcification among patients with chronic kidney disease. It has been hypothesized that treatment with the calcimimetic agent cinacalcet might reduce the risk of death or nonfatal cardiovascular events in such patients. METHODS In this clinical trial, we randomly assigned 3883 patients with moderate-to-severe secondary hyperparathyroidism (median level of intact parathyroid hormone, 693 pg per milliliter [10th to 90th percentile, 363 to 1694]) who were undergoing hemodialysis to receive either cinacalcet or placebo. All patients were eligible to receive conventional therapy, including phosphate binders, vitamin D sterols, or both. The patients were followed for up to 64 months. The primary composite end point was the time until death, myocardial infarction, hospitalization for unstable angina, heart failure, or a peripheral vascular event. The primary analysis was performed on the basis of the intention-to-treat principle. RESULTS The median duration of study-drug exposure was 21.2 months in the cinacalcet group, versus 17.5 months in the placebo group. The primary composite end point was reached in 938 of 1948 patients (48.2%) in the cinacalcet group and 952 of 1935 patients (49.2%) in the placebo group (relative hazard in the cinacalcet group vs. the placebo group, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.85 to 1.02; P=0.11). Hypocalcemia and gastrointestinal adverse events were significantly more frequent in patients receiving cinacalcet. CONCLUSIONS In an unadjusted intention-to-treat analysis, cinacalcet did not significantly reduce the risk of death or major cardiovascular events in patients with moderate-to-severe secondary hyperparathyroidism who were undergoing dialysis. (Funded by Amgen; EVOLVE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00345839.).

Changes in Vertebral Bone Density in Black Girls and White Girls during Childhood and Puberty

BACKGROUND The prevalence of osteoporosis and the incidence of vertebral fractures are lower in black women than in white women, findings generally attributed to racial differences in adult bone mass. Little is known, however, about the factors that contribute to racial variations in bone mass or the time of life when such differences become manifest. This study was done to characterize the changes in vertebral bone density at various stages of sexual development in black and white females. METHODS We measured cancellous vertebral bone density by quantitative computed tomography in 75 black female subjects between 2 and 20 years old and 75 whites matched for age and stage of sexual development. RESULTS The vertebral bone density did not differ between black girls and white girls before puberty. Bone density increased during puberty in each racial group, but the magnitude of the increase from prepubertal values was substantially greater in black than in white subjects (34 percent vs. 11 percent). CONCLUSIONS The marked difference between black and white females in cancellous vertebral bone density occurs during a relatively brief period late in puberty. Metabolic and hormonal events related to the achievement of sexual maturity during adolescence may be important determinants of racial differences in bone mass in women.

The ADVANCE study: a randomized study to evaluate the effects of cinacalcet plus low-dose vitamin D on vascular calcification in patients on hemodialysis

BACKGROUND This prospective, randomized, controlled trial compared the progression of vascular and cardiac valve calcification in 360 prevalent adult hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism treated with either cinacalcet plus low-dose vitamin D sterols or flexible doses of vitamin D sterols alone. METHODS Eligible subjects were on hemodialysis for ≥ 3 months with parathyroid hormone (PTH) > 300 pg/mL or PTH 150-300 pg/mL with calcium-phosphorus product > 50 mg(2)/dL(2) while receiving vitamin D. All subjects received calcium-based phosphate binders. Coronary artery calcification (CAC) and aorta and cardiac valve calcium scores were determined both by Agatston and volume scoring using multi-detector computed tomography. Subjects with Agatston CAC scores ≥ 30 were randomized to cinacalcet (30- 180 mg/day) plus low-dose calcitriol or vitamin D analog (≤ 2 μg paricalcitol equivalent/dialysis), or flexible vitamin D therapy. The primary end point was percentage change in Agatston CAC score from baseline to Week 52. RESULTS Median (P10, P90) Agatston CAC scores increased 24% (-22%, 119%) in the cinacalcet group and 31% (-9%, 179%) in the flexible vitamin D group (P = 0.073). Corresponding changes in volume CAC scores were 22% (-12%, 105%) and 30% (-6%, 133%; P = 0.009). Increases in calcification scores were consistently less in the aorta, aortic valve and mitral valve among subjects treated with cinacalcet plus low-dose vitamin D sterols, and the differences between groups were significant at the aortic valve. CONCLUSIONS In hemodialysis patients with moderate to severe secondary hyperparathyroidism, cinacalcet plus low-dose vitamin D sterols may attenuate vascular and cardiac valve calcification.

Atherogenic high-fat diet reduces bone mineralization in mice.

The epidemiological correlation between osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease is independent of age, but the basis for this correlation is unknown. We previously found that atherogenic oxidized lipids inhibit osteoblastic differentiation in vitro and ex vivo, suggesting that an atherogenic diet may contribute to both diseases. In this study, effects of an atherogenic high‐fat diet versus control chow diet on bone were tested in two strains of mice with genetically different susceptibility to atherosclerosis and lipid oxidation. After 4 months and 7 months on the diets, mineral content and density were measured in excised femurs and lumbar vertebrae using peripheral quantitative computed tomographic (pQCT) scanning. In addition, expression of osteocalcin in marrow isolated from the mice after 4 months on the diets was examined. After 7 months, femoral mineral content in C57BL/6 atherosclerosis‐susceptible mice on the high‐fat diet was 43% lower (0.73 ± 0.09 mg vs. 1.28 ± 0.42 mg; p = 0.008), and mineral density was 15% lower compared with mice on the chow diet. Smaller deficits were observed after 4 months. Vertebral mineral content also was lower in the fat‐fed C57BL/6 mice. These changes in the atherosclerosis‐resistant, C3H/HeJ mice were smaller and mostly not significant. Osteocalcin expression was reduced in the marrow of high fat‐fed C57BL/6 mice. These findings suggest that an atherogenic diet inhibits bone formation by blocking differentiation of osteoblast progenitor cells.

Evaluation of Cinacalcet Therapy to Lower Cardiovascular Events (EVOLVE): Rationale and Design Overview

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The dramatically high rates of mortality and cardiovascular morbidity observed among dialysis patients highlights the importance of identifying and implementing strategies to lower cardiovascular risk in this population. Results from clinical trials undertaken thus far, including trials on lipid reduction, normalization of hematocrit, and increased dialysis dosage, have been unsuccessful. Available data indicate that abnormalities in calcium and phosphorus metabolism, as a result of either secondary hyperparathyroidism alone or the therapeutic measures used to manage secondary hyperparathyroidism, are associated with an increased risk for death and cardiovascular events. However, no prospective trials have evaluated whether interventions that modify these laboratory parameters result in a reduction in adverse cardiovascular outcomes. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS Evaluation of Cinacalcet Therapy to Lower Cardiovascular Events is a global, phase 3, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the effects of cinacalcet on mortality and cardiovascular events in hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism. Approximately 3800 patients from 22 countries will be randomly assigned to cinacalcet or placebo. Flexible use of traditional therapies will be permitted. The primary end point is the composite of time to all-cause mortality or first nonfatal cardiovascular event (myocardial infarction, hospitalization for unstable angina, heart failure, or peripheral vascular disease, including lower extremity revascularization and nontraumatic amputation). RESULTS The study will be event driven (terminated at 1882 events) with an anticipated duration of approximately 4 yr. CONCLUSIONS Evaluation of Cinacalcet Therapy to Lower Cardiovascular Events will determine whether management of secondary hyperparathyroidism with cinacalcet reduces the risk for mortality and cardiovascular events in hemodialysis patients.

Aluminum Accumulation during Treatment with Aluminum Hydroxide and Dialysis in Children and Young Adults with Chronic Renal Disease

Abstract Background. The control of hyperphosphatemia is a major clinical problem in patients with chronic renal failure receiving regular dialysis treatment. Despite continuing concern about aluminum toxicity, aluminum-containing antacids are still used in many of these patients as phosphate-binding agents. Although maximal acceptable doses of aluminum hydroxide have been recommended, the safety and efficacy of these guidelines have not been evaluated. Methods. Seventeen children and young adults (mean [±SD] age, 14.1 ±3.7 years) undergoing regular peritoneal dialysis were randomly assigned to treatment with either aluminum hydroxide (n = 7; maximal dose, 30 mg per kilogram of body weight per day) or calcium carbonate (n = 10; dose range, 2.5 to 12 g per day, according to serum phosphorus levels). Aluminum retention was assessed by serial measurements of plasma aluminum, deferoxamine-infusion tests, and measurements of bone aluminum content during a mean (±SD) follow-up of 13±2 months. The evolution of b...

Cinacalcet HCl and Concurrent Low-dose Vitamin D Improves Treatment of Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in Dialysis Patients Compared with Vitamin D Alone: The ACHIEVE Study Results

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) receiving dialysis often develop secondary hyperparathyroidism with disturbed calcium and phosphorus metabolism. The National Kidney Foundation-Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) was established to guide treatment practices for these disorders. The ACHIEVE study was designed to test two treatment strategies for achieving KDOQI goals. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, MEASUREMENTS Individuals on hemodialysis treated with vitamin D sterols were enrolled in this 33-week study. Subjects were randomly assigned to treatment with either cinacalcet and low-dose vitamin D (Cinacalcet-D) or flexible vitamin D alone (Flex-D) to achieve KDOQI-recommended bone mineral targets. ACHIEVE included a 6-week screening phase, including vitamin D washout, a 16-week dose-titration phase, and an 11-week assessment phase. RESULTS Of 173 subjects enrolled, 83% of Cinacalcet-D and 67% of Flex-D subjects completed the study. A greater proportion of Cinacalcet-D versus Flex-D subjects had a >30% reduction in parathyroid hormone (PTH) (68% versus 36%, P < 0.001) as well as PTH <300 pg/ml (44% versus 23%, P = 0.006). The proportion of subjects simultaneously achieving targets for intact PTH (150-300 pg/ml) and calcium-phosphorus product (Ca x P) (<55 mg2/dl2) was also greater (21% versus 14%), but this was not statistically significant. This was attributable to 19% of Cinacalcet-D subjects with a PTH value below the KDOQI target range. CONCLUSIONS Achievement of KDOQI targets was difficult, especially with Flex-D. Maintaining calcium and phosphorus target values precluded the use of vitamin D doses necessary to lower PTH to within the narrow target range and highlighted limitations inherent to the KDOQI treatment algorithm.

The Effects of Sevelamer and Calcium Acetate on Proxies of Atherosclerotic and Arteriosclerotic Vascular Disease in Hemodialysis Patients

Background: We recently determined that in hemodialysis patients, the use of calcium salts to correct hyperphosphatemia led to progressive coronary artery and aortic calcification as determined by sequential electron beam tomography (EBT) while the use of the non-calcium-containing binder sevelamer did not. Whether the specific calcium preparation (acetate vs. carbonate) might influence the likelihood of progressive calcification was debated. Methods: To determine whether treatment with calcium acetate was specifically associated with hypercalcemia and progressive vascular calcification, we conducted an analysis restricted to 108 hemodialysis patients randomized to calcium acetate or sevelamer and followed for one year. Results: The reduction in serum phosphorus was roughly equivalent with both agents (calcium acetate –2.5 ± 1.8 mg/dl vs. sevelamer –2.8 ± 2.0 mg/dl, p = 0.53). Subjects given calcium acetate were more likely to develop hypercalcemia (defined as an albumin-corrected serum calcium ≧10.5 mg/dl) (36 vs. 13%, p = 0.015). Treatment with calcium acetate (mean 4.6 ± 2.1 g/day – equivalent to 1.2 ± 0.5 g of elemental calcium) led to a significant increase in EBT-determined calcification of the coronary arteries (mean change 182 ± 350, median change +20, p = 0.002) and aorta (mean change 181 ± 855, median change +73, p < 0.0001). These changes were similar in magnitude to those seen with calcium carbonate. There were no significant changes in calcification among sevelamer-treated subjects. Conclusion: Despite purported differences in safety and efficacy relative to calcium carbonate, calcium acetate led to hypercalcemia and progressive vascular calcification in hemodialysis patients.

Cinacalcet, fibroblast growth factor-23, and cardiovascular disease in hemodialysis: The evaluation of cinacalcet HCl therapy to lower cardiovascular events (EVOLVE) trial

Background —Patients with kidney disease have disordered bone and mineral metabolism including elevated serum concentrations of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23). The latter are associated with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. The objective was to determine the effects of the calcimimetic cinacalcet ( versus placebo) on reducing serum FGF23 and whether changes in FGF23 are associated with death and cardiovascular events. Methods and Results —This was a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial comparing cinacalcet to placebo in addition to conventional therapy (phosphate binders/vitamin D) in patients receiving hemodialysis with secondary hyperparathyroidism (iPTH ≥ 300 pg/mL). The primary study end point was time to death or the first nonfatal cardiovascular event (myocardial infarction, hospitalization for angina, heart failure, or a peripheral vascular event). This analysis included 2985 patients (77% of randomized) with serum samples at baseline and 2602 (67%) patients with samples at both baseline and week 20. The results demonstrated a significantly larger proportion of patients randomized to cinacalcet had ≥30% (68% versus 28%) reductions in FGF23. Among patients randomized to cinacalcet, a ≥30% reduction in FGF23 between baseline and week 20 was associated with a nominally significant reduction in the primary composite endpoint (relative hazard (HR) 0.82; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.69, 0.98), cardiovascular mortality (HR 0.66; 0.50, 0.87), sudden cardiac death (HR 0.57; 0.37, 0.86), and heart failure (HR 0.69; 0.48, 0.99). Conclusions —Treatment with cinacalcet significantly lowers serum FGF23. Treatment-induced reductions in serum FGF23 are associated with lower rates of cardiovascular death and major cardiovascular events. Clinical Trial Registration Information —ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: [NCT00345839][1]. [1]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=CLINTRIALGOV&access_num=NCT00345839&atom=%2Fcirculationaha%2Fearly%2F2015%2F06%2F09%2FCIRCULATIONAHA.114.013876.atomBackground— Patients with kidney disease have disordered bone and mineral metabolism, including elevated serum concentrations of fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23). These elevated concentrations are associated with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. The objective was to determine the effects of the calcimimetic cinacalcet (versus placebo) on reducing serum FGF23 and whether changes in FGF23 are associated with death and cardiovascular events. Methods and Results— This was a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial comparing cinacalcet to placebo in addition to conventional therapy (phosphate binders/vitamin D) in patients receiving hemodialysis with secondary hyperparathyroidism (intact parathyroid hormone ≥300 pg/mL). The primary study end point was time to death or a first nonfatal cardiovascular event (myocardial infarction, hospitalization for angina, heart failure, or a peripheral vascular event). This analysis included 2985 patients (77% of randomized) with serum samples at baseline and 2602 patients (67%) with samples at both baseline and week 20. The results demonstrated that a significantly larger proportion of patients randomized to cinacalcet had ≥30% (68% versus 28%) reductions in FGF23. Among patients randomized to cinacalcet, a ≥30% reduction in FGF23 between baseline and week 20 was associated with a nominally significant reduction in the primary composite end point (relative hazard, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.69–0.98), cardiovascular mortality (relative hazard, 0.66; 95% confidence interval, 0.50–0.87), sudden cardiac death (relative hazard, 0.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.37–0.86), and heart failure (relative hazard, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.48–0.99). Conclusions— Treatment with cinacalcet significantly lowers serum FGF23. Treatment-induced reductions in serum FGF23 are associated with lower rates of cardiovascular death and major cardiovascular events. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00345839.Background— Patients with kidney disease have disordered bone and mineral metabolism, including elevated serum concentrations of fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23). These elevated concentrations are associated with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. The objective was to determine the effects of the calcimimetic cinacalcet (versus placebo) on reducing serum FGF23 and whether changes in FGF23 are associated with death and cardiovascular events. Methods and Results— This was a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial comparing cinacalcet to placebo in addition to conventional therapy (phosphate binders/vitamin D) in patients receiving hemodialysis with secondary hyperparathyroidism (intact parathyroid hormone ≥300 pg/mL). The primary study end point was time to death or a first nonfatal cardiovascular event (myocardial infarction, hospitalization for angina, heart failure, or a peripheral vascular event). This analysis included 2985 patients (77% of randomized) with serum samples at baseline and 2602 patients (67%) with samples at both baseline and week 20. The results demonstrated that a significantly larger proportion of patients randomized to cinacalcet had ≥30% (68% versus 28%) reductions in FGF23. Among patients randomized to cinacalcet, a ≥30% reduction in FGF23 between baseline and week 20 was associated with a nominally significant reduction in the primary composite end point (relative hazard, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.69–0.98), cardiovascular mortality (relative hazard, 0.66; 95% confidence interval, 0.50–0.87), sudden cardiac death (relative hazard, 0.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.37–0.86), and heart failure (relative hazard, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.48–0.99). Conclusions— Treatment with cinacalcet significantly lowers serum FGF23. Treatment-induced reductions in serum FGF23 are associated with lower rates of cardiovascular death and major cardiovascular events. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: . Unique identifier: [NCT00345839][1]. # CLINICAL PERSPECTIVE {#article-title-36} [1]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=CLINTRIALGOV&access_num=NCT00345839&atom=%2Fcirculationaha%2F132%2F1%2F27.atom

The Consequences of Uncontrolled Secondary Hyperparathyroidism and Its Treatment in Chronic Kidney Disease

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and a frequent cause of clinically significant bone disease. Soft‐tissue and vascular calcification, cardiovascular disease, and calcific uremic arteriolopathy (CUA) are additional serious consequences of the disorder that may contribute directly to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with CKD. Less widely appreciated manifestations include neurological disturbances, hematological abnormalities, and endocrine dysfunction.