Growth hormone receptor antagonists

Neuroendocrinology. 2006;83(3-4):264-8. doi: 10.1159/000095537. Epub 2006 Oct 13.

Abstract

The currently available long-acting somatostatin analogs normalize serum growth hormone (GH) levels and insulin-like growth factor-I levels in approximately 60% of patients with acromegaly. The recently introduced GH receptor antagonist, pegvisomant, is able to normalize insulin-like growth factor-I levels in virtually all acromegalic subjects. Although no correlation between increased GH concentrations and tumor size has been found, long-term safety studies are still in progress. Also, pegvisomant monotherapy is administered once daily and is very costly. Combined treatment of a somatostatin analog with pegvisomant appears to be an effective and rational approach.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acromegaly / blood
  • Acromegaly / drug therapy*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Human Growth Hormone / analogs & derivatives*
  • Human Growth Hormone / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / analysis
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / drug effects
  • Receptors, Somatotropin / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Somatostatin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Somatostatin / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Receptors, Somatotropin
  • Human Growth Hormone
  • Somatostatin
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
  • pegvisomant