We have examined the effects of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25[OH]2D3) and a low calcemic analogue EB1089 on parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHRP) production and on the development of hypercalcemia in Fischer rats implanted with the Leydig cell tumor H-500. Leydig cell tumors were implanted subcutaneously into male Fischer rats, which received constant infusions intraperitoneally of either 1,25(OH)2D3 (50-200 pmol/24 h), EB1089 (50-400 pmol/24 h), or vehicle for up to 4 wk. A control group of animals received similar infusions without tumor implantation. Plasma calcium, plasma levels of immunoreactive iPTHRP, and tumor PTHRP mRNA levels were determined as well as tumor size, animal body weight, and animal survival time. Non-tumor-bearing animals receiving > 50 pmol/24 h of 1,25(OH)2D3 became hypercalcemic, whereas no significant change in plasma calcium was observed in animals receiving < or = 200 pmol/24 h of EB1089. Tumor-bearing animals receiving vehicle alone or > 50 pmol/24 h of 1,25(OH)2D3 became severely hypercalcemic within 15 d. However, animals treated with low dose 1,25(OH)2D3 and all doses of EB1089 maintained near-normal or normal levels of plasma calcium for up to 4 wk. Additionally, reduced levels of tumor PTHRP mRNA and of plasma iPTHRP were observed compared with controls in both vitamin D- and EB1089-treated rats. Infusion of 50 pmol/24 h of 1,25(OH)2D3 and 200 pmol/24 h of EB1089 significantly reduced tumor volume by the end of experiment. The analogue but not 1,25(OH)2D3 substantially prolonged survival time in tumor-bearing animals with longer survival achieved at the highest dose, 400 pmol/24 h, of EB1089. These studies demonstrate that 1,25(OH)2D3 and a low calcemic vitamin D analogue are potent inhibitors of PTHRP production in vivo. Low calcemic analogues may therefore represent important alternative therapy for malignancy-associated hypercalcemia.