MedicalTerminology DB
General Medical Terms

paricalcitol

Meaning of paricalcitol: A synthetic noncalcemic, nonphosphatemic vitamin D analogue.

Definition of paricalcitol

A synthetic noncalcemic, nonphosphatemic vitamin D analogue. Paricalcitol binds to the vitamin D receptor and has been shown to reduce parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. This agent also increases the expression of PTEN ('Phosphatase and Tensin homolog deleted on chromosome Ten'), a tumor-suppressor gene, in leukemic cells and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, resulting in tumor cell apoptosis and tumor cell differentiation into normal phenotypes.

Written and maintained by James Murray Last updated July 21, 2026 Educational reference, not medical advice. Read the limitations.

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