Control of secondary hyperparathyroidism by vitamin D derivatives.

The treatment of the secondary hyperparathyroidism of chronic renal failure patients has greatly improved during the last 2 decades. Significant progress has been made, in particular in the indication of 1alpha-hydroxylated vitamin D derivatives and patient management using these compounds. Treatment and prevention should start early during the development of chronic renal insufficiency. One of the major remaining problems in more advanced stages of renal failure is that control of plasma phosphate often remains extremely difficult. New inert oral phosphate binders are needed. The nephrology community is still waiting for the advent of nonhypercalcemic and nonhyperphosphatemic vitamin D analogs with PTH suppressive activity equal to the parent compound calcitriol or its immediate precursor, alfacalcidol.