Historically, medical treatment of acromegaly has mainly been used as an adjuvant therapy after surgery. In the last decades, an increased range of medical therapy options has been available. Somatostatin analogues have become the cornerstones of medical treatment in acromegaly and are even seen as a primary treatment in a selected group of acromegaly patients. The most recent medical treatment available for acromegaly patients is pegvisomant, a growth hormone receptor antagonist. To date, it is the most effective medical treatment, but it is costly. Pegvisomant is used as monotherapy and combined with somatostatin analogues. In this article, we review clinical studies and cohorts that have documented the efficacy of pegvisomant monotherapy and combined therapy and give a concise overview of associated side effects.
© 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.