Available online 25 July 2022

PTHrP (parathyroid hormone related protein) is an important mediator of malignancy-related tumor progression and hypercalcemia that shares considerable homology and functionality with parathyroid hormone. In this chapter, we review what has been elucidated to date regarding PTHrP's role in malignancies. Starting with a review of calcium metabolism and regulation, we then summarize the discovery and structure of PTHrP and development of sensitive immunoassays for specific measurement. Subsequently, we explore its role in tumor progression, with emphasis on the primary tumor as well as skeletal and non-osseus metastases. We then consider the clinical implications of PTHrP in cancer before concluding with a discussion of both established and potential treatments for malignancy associated hypercalcemia and bone metastases.

Parathyroid hormone related protein (PTHrP)

Malignancy associated hypercalcemia (MAH)

Breast cancer

Pancreatic cancer

Genetically engineered animal models (GEAM)

Cachexia

Skeletal metastases

Tumor progression

Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies

PTHrP immunoassays

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