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calcitonin (Fortical Injection / Forcaltonin)

✓ Approved

Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. · CALCR · Recombinant Proteins

What is calcitonin?

calcitonin is a recombinant proteins developed by Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd.. It is approved for therapeutic indications via injectable (others) or subcutaneous injection.

Drug Profile

Brand NamesFortical Injection, Forcaltonin
CompanyKyowa Kirin Co., Ltd.
Drug ClassRecombinant Proteins
Molecular TargetCALCR
RouteInjectable (Others), Subcutaneous Injection
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd.

Mechanism of Action

Molecular Targets

calcitonin acts on 1 molecular target:

CALCRcalcitonin receptor (CT-R, CTR)
Want deeper analysis?Noah AI can explain complex mechanisms and compare to similar drugs.

Therapeutic Indications

calcitonin is developed for 3 unique indications across 2 therapeutic areas.

Therapeutic AreaConditionPhase
Endocrine disordersHypercalcaemia of malignancy✓ Approved
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disordersOsteitis deformans✓ Approved
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disordersOsteoporosis✓ Approved

Related Research Articles

PubMedTurkish journal of medical sciences2026-07-25

Clinical outcomes of injectable and conventional pulmonary valve replacement in severe pulmonary regurgitation.

Tak Sercan S, Koç Murat M, Kutsal Ali A, Doğan Vehbi V

Pulmonary regurgitation following tetralogy of Fallot repair is a common long-term complication requiring pulmonary valve replacement. Injectable bioprosthetic valves offer a less invasive alternative to conventional surgical replacement, but comparative data in pediatric populations remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate short-term and long-term clinical outcomes of injectable pulmonary valve replacement and conventional pulmonary valve replacement in pediatric patients with severe pulmonary regurgitation following tetralogy of Fallot repair. This retrospective study included 22 pediatric patients who underwent pulmonary valve replacement. Patients were divided into injectable (n = 9) and conventional (n = 13) groups based on anatomical criteria. Primary outcomes included early postoperative parameters and long-term valve function. The mean follow-up duration was 10.5 ± 2.5 years. Favorable early outcomes were noted in the injectable pulmonary valve replacement cohort, including shorter intensive care unit stay (16.8 ± 6.2 vs. 37.0 ± 23.4 h, p = 0.021), reduced mechanical ventilation duration (5.2 ± 3.9 vs. 15.4 ± 11.4 h, p = 0.019), decreased chest tube drainage (206.7 ± 108.2 vs. 513.1 ± 274.1 mL, p = 0.005), and shorter hospital stay (5.4 ± 2.4 vs. 8.4 ± 3.1 days, p = 0.026). Long-term outcomes indicated similar valve function and right ventricular remodeling in the two groups, with excellent freedom from reintervention (100%) during follow-up. Injectable pulmonary valve replacement appears to be a safe alternative, offering favorable early outcomes and long-term valve performance comparable to conventional methods. However, clinical experience and precise patient selection remain critical for achieving optimal results.

PMID 42499452
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PubMedJournal of the American Pharmacists Association : JAPhA2026-07-25

Community pharmacists' perceptions of long-acting injectable buprenorphine administration in community pharmacies: A cross-sectional survey study.

Marley Grace G, Farrel Brianna B, Carpenter Delesha D

Long-acting injectable buprenorphine (LAI-B) is an evidence-based medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), but its implementation in community pharmacies has not been well studied. This study's objective was to assess southeastern North Carolina (NC) community pharmacist perspectives on the perceived acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of LAI-B administration and identify the barriers and facilitators to LAI-B administration in community pharmacies. We conducted an online survey of practicing community pharmacists between January 14 and March 14, 2026. The survey assessed knowledge of and willingness to administer LAI-B, perceived benefits and barriers, training needs, and perceived acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of administering LAI-B. Descriptive statistics are reported. Forty-four eligible responses were included in the analysis (response rate= 16%). On average, pharmacists were neutral to somewhat willing to administer LAI-B and also had neutral-to-positive perceptions of acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility. The most frequently endorsed benefits of LAI-B were decreased diversion, supporting patients in recovery, reducing overdose deaths, and increasing revenue. The most prominent barriers involved reimbursement and payment. Other barriers included limited training, workflow constraints, and lack of provider referrals. Pharmacists reported low knowledge regarding LAI-B Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy requirements, follow-up monitoring, and storage, and expressed interest in training on those topics. Pharmacy-based LAI-B administration could be a promising strategy to expand access to MOUD. However, implementation will require clearer reimbursement pathways, targeted training, and workflow support.

PMID 42498130
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PubMedPlastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open2026-07-25

Debunking Myths on Hyaluronic Acid Injectable Gels in Clinical Practice.

Alizadeh Navid N, Caboni Silvia S, Hasenöhrl Karl K, Lorenc Zbigniew Paul ZP et al.

Hyaluronic acid (HA)-based soft-tissue fillers are the most widely used injectables for nonsurgical facial rejuvenation, valued for their reversibility, versatility, and safety profile. Despite widespread use, misconceptions about HA gels have proliferated on social media and in clinical discourse, potentially affecting both healthcare professionals and patients. We conducted a narrative, nonsystematic review of the published literature, supplemented by clinical experience and expert opinion of 8 international specialists in aesthetic medicine. Published studies in English were retrieved from PubMed, with priority given to systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and controlled clinical trials. Evidence grading and quality assessment were applied where available. Available evidence indicates that HA gels are biodegradable and temporary, with clinical effects generally lasting 4-18 months depending on product, technique, and patient factors. They are reversible through exogenous hyaluronidase injection. Current HA products cross-linked with 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether are not associated with toxicity at clinically used concentrations. The risk of gel migration or facial overfill syndrome is not inherent to the products but linked to inadequate anatomical knowledge, suboptimal injection technique, or inappropriate patient selection and counseling. HA gel treatment has also been associated with biostimulatory effects and improvements in patient quality of life. The weight of published evidence does not support common misconceptions about HA injectable gels. However, the evidence base is heterogeneous and includes studies of variable methodological quality. Practitioner education, thorough treatment planning, and shared decision-making between healthcare professionals and patients remain important for the safe and effective use of HA injectables.

PMID 42499804
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PubMedInternational journal of biological macromolecules2026-07-25

pH/ROS dual-responsive injectable hydrogel based on an oxidized hyaluronic acid/carboxymethyl chitosan-phenylboronic acid dynamic network for rheumatoid arthritis therapy.

Cao Jiaqi J, Wang Runze R, Zhang Rui R, Guo Youchuan Y et al.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by persistent synovial inflammation, aberrant immune activation, and progressive joint destruction. Its pathological progression is closely associated with synovial microenvironment acidification, excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and sustained release of pro-inflammatory mediators. Developing localized therapeutic systems with microenvironment responsiveness and prolonged intra-articular retention is critical for improving RA treatment outcomes. In this study, we developed a pH/ROS-dual-responsive injectable hydrogel drug delivery system with sustained release capability. It was formed by crosslinking carboxymethyl chitosan-grafted phenylboronic acid (CMCS-PBA) and oxidized hyaluronic acid (OHA) through dynamic Schiff base and boronic ester bonds, and was co-loaded with dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DSP) and rosemarinic acid encapsulated in sialic acid-modified liposomes (RosA-SAL). The prepared hydrogel exhibited favorable injectability, self-healing capability, and biocompatibility, while enabling sustained drug release in response to the acidic and ROS-rich microenvironment. The in vitro release study showed that the cumulative release rates of DSP and RosA reached 95% and 67%, respectively, after 14 days under simulated RA microenvironment conditions. Additionally, in vitro studies demonstrated that RosA-SAL/DSP@Gel effectively reduced inflammatory cytokine expression and suppressed inflammation-related responses. Furthermore, in vivo experiments confirmed that the hydrogel system significantly alleviated joint inflammation in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rats, attenuated cartilage damage and bone erosion, and provided substantial protection to joint structures. Overall, this study presents an intelligent microenvironment-responsive drug delivery strategy for localized intra-articular therapy of RA.

PMID 42498194
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PubMedInternational journal of STD & AIDS2026-07-25

Analysis of a clinical pathway for the use of long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapy in adherence challenged people living with HIV.

Quirke Siobhan S, Lynch Dorarca D, Kelly Gavin G, O'Regan Siobhan S et al.

BackgroundLong-acting injectable cabotegravir/rilpivirine (LA-CAB/RPV) is approved for people with HIV (PWH) who have achieved virological suppression; however, evidence remains limited for individuals with adherence challenges including those with persistent viraemia. We evaluated the implementation of a structured clinical pathway delivering LA-CAB/RPV to such individuals, including initiating therapy for individuals with detectable viraemia, across two Irish HIV centres.MethodsThis prospective service evaluation assessed a multidisciplinary pathway designed to support LA-CAB/RPV delivery for adults unable to sustain adherence to oral antiretroviral therapy. Clinical and service outcomes during the first 16 months of implementation were analysed. We present results relating to virological control within the cohort, treatment discontinuation, and injection timeliness as a surrogate marker of retention in care.ResultsFifty-one individuals underwent suitability screening, of whom 12 initiated LA-CAB/RPV and had available follow-up data for this early analysis. Median age was 46 years. The cohort had substantial social complexity, including homelessness, unstable housing, substance use, and previous disengagement from care. Nine participants initiated treatment with detectable viraemia and three were virologically suppressed at baseline. Median follow-up was 24 weeks. All participants who commenced treatment with virological suppression maintained suppression throughout follow-up. Among those initiating with viraemia, three achieved virological suppression and three demonstrated substantial virological improvement; three discontinued treatment due to death, patient choice, or loss of contact. No confirmed virological failure or emergent resistance was observed. Thirty-four delayed injections were recorded, although most occurred within accepted dosing windows and retention in care remained favourable.ConclusionsA structured multidisciplinary pathway enabled delivery of LA-CAB/RPV to adherence-challenged individuals, including those with detectable viraemia at treatment initiation. Encouraging virological outcomes were observed despite substantial social complexity and imperfect attendance. These findings support further evaluation of LA-CAB/RPV in vulnerable populations traditionally underserved by conventional HIV care models.

PMID 42498509
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PubMedEuropean journal of pharmacology2026-07-25

Tumor Expression of CGRP Confers Sensitivity to Growth Inhibition by the Anti-CGRP Antibody Fremanezumab.

Buonvicino Daniela D, Pistolesi Alessandra A, Lapucci Andrea A, Molli Alice A et al.

Calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) is a neuropeptide exerting key neuromodulatory, vasoactive and immune functions within the periphery and central nervous system. Drugs targeting CGRP such as anti-CGRP mAbs or small molecule CGRP receptor antagonists have been recently approved for prevention and acute treatment of migraine. A growing body of evidence, however, indicates that CGRP plays key roles in tumor growth. Specifically, the neuropeptide promotes tumor angiogenesis, counteracts antitumor immune responses, and supports cancer proliferation in nutrient-poor environment via autophagic activation. There is general agreement that tumor-infiltrating sensory nerve fibers represent the source of CGRP within neoplasms. In keeping with the tumorigenic role of CGRP, several studies report anticancer effects of rimegepant, a CGRP receptor antagonist. In the present study, by means of in vitro and xenograft models we build upon these findings showing that CGRP can be released within the tumor microenvironment directly by cancer cells. Of note, the migraine preventative anti-CGRP mAb fremanezumab selectively counteracted growth to CGRP-proficient tumors. The antitumoral effect occurred in spite of lack of evidence for intratumoral sensory fiber infiltration, angiogenesis inhibition, or promotion of autophagy. The antibody, however, by altering ERK signaling, might counteract MAPK-dependent growth signaling in CGRP-expressing tumors. Collectively, our findings disclose for the first time the tumorigenic effects of CGRP released from cancer cells and suggest the translational potential of clinically available anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies as a therapeutic strategy for cancer.

PMID 42498203
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