Hypercalcemia upon recurrence of renal cell carcinoma producing parathyroid hormone-related protein.

We established a new renal carcinoma cell line that produces parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) and interleukin-6 in culture. The cellular production of PTHrP was confirmed by Northern blot analysis and immunofluorescence examination. Bone and lung metastases occurred simultaneously 3.5 years after surgery. The patient did not show hypercalcemia at this time, despite the presence of multiple osteolytic metastases. About 7 months after bone metastasis was first shown, serum PTHrP was detected by means of an immunoradiometric assay and the calcium level was found to be elevated to 3.29 mmol/l. The hypercalcemia was successfully controlled by i.v. administration of bisphosphonates.