Could a vitamin d pill help kids with kidney disease avoid dialysis?

NCT ID NCT02859896

First seen Jul 02, 2026 · Last updated Jul 02, 2026

Summary

This phase 3 trial compares two oral vitamin D therapies—Hectorol (doxercalciferol) and Rocaltrol (calcitriol)—in children aged 5 to 18 with chronic kidney disease stages 3 or 4 who have high parathyroid hormone levels but are not yet on dialysis. The main goal is to see if Hectorol can safely reduce parathyroid hormone by at least 30% over 12 weeks. The study also tracks side effects and how the drug moves through the body.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

doxercalciferol (Hectorol)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could offer a safer or more effective option to manage secondary hyperparathyroidism in children with chronic kidney disease, potentially delaying the need for dialysis.

What could go wrong

This is a small phase 3 trial with only 21 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The drug may cause side effects like high calcium or phosphorus levels, and it is not a cure for kidney disease.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

secondary hyperparathyroidism of renal origin

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Cedars-Sinai Medical Center- Site Number : 8400033

    Los Angeles, California, 90048, United States

  • Children's of Alabama- Site Number : 8400022

    Birmingham, Alabama, 35233, United States

  • Cohen Children's Medical Center- Site Number : 8400017

    New Hyde Park, New York, 11040, United States

  • Duke University Medical Center- Site Number : 8400034

    Durham, North Carolina, 27710, United States

  • East Carolina University- Site Number : 8400025

    Greenville, North Carolina, 27858, United States

  • Goryeb Chidlren's Hospital- Site Number : 8400016

    Morristown, New Jersey, 07962, United States

  • Greenville Memorial Hospital- Site Number : 8400027

    Greenville, South Carolina, 29605, United States

  • Hackensack Meridian Health - Hackensack University Medical Center- Site Number : 8400010

    Hackensack, New Jersey, 07601, United States

  • Investigational Site Number : 1520003

    Santiago, Reg Metropolitana de Santiago, 7500539, Chile

  • Investigational Site Number : 1520004

    Concepción, Biobio, 4070038, Chile

  • M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center - West Bank- Site Number : 8400014

    Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55454, United States

  • Marshfield Medical Center - Marshfield- Site Number : 8400001

    Marshfield, Wisconsin, 54449, United States

  • Nicklaus Children's Hospital - Miami - Southwest 62nd Avenue- Site Number : 8400008

    Miami, Florida, 33155, United States

  • Rush University Medical Center- Site Number : 8400020

    Chicago, Illinois, 60612, United States

  • Texas Children's Hospital- Site Number : 8400013

    Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

  • The Mount Sinai Hospital- Site Number : 8400007

    New York, New York, 10029, United States

  • UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh- Site Number : 8400028

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15224, United States

  • University of California Davis Health- Site Number : 8400005

    Sacramento, California, 95817, United States

  • University of Miami Hospital- Site Number : 8400006

    Miami, Florida, 33136, United States

  • University of Utah Health Hospital- Site Number : 8400026

    Salt Lake City, Utah, 84132, United States

  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center- Site Number : 8400024

    Nashville, Tennessee, 37292, United States

  • Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center- Site Number : 8400009

    Richmond, Virginia, 23219, United States

  • Yale University School of Medicine- Site Number : 8400029

    New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, United States