Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency Research Articles

Sex Differences in Long-Term Safety and Tolerability of GH Replacement Therapy in GH Deficient Adults.

Previous studies report that outcomes of growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy (GHRT) might be less beneficial in growth hormone deficient (GHD) women compared with men. This study investigated possible contributing factors regarding this previously found sex difference. This retrospective cohort study, conducted at a nationwide outpatient clinic (the Dutch National Registry of GH Treatment in Adults), included Dutch adult GHD men (n = 1335) and women (n = 1251) treated with GHRT. The patients' baseline characteristics, details of GHRT, and the tolerability and long-term safety of GHRT were measured. During treatment, sensitivity analysis showed that insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) SD scores remained subnormal more often in women (P < 0.001), while scores above normal were more frequent in men (P < 0.001). Women reported more adverse events (P < 0.001), especially symptoms related to fluid retention, and more often needed a dose reduction or temporary stop of GHRT (P = 0.001). In percentages, both sexes equally discontinued GHRT, as was also true for the risk in developing type 2 diabetes mellitus, benign neoplasms, and tumor recurrence. The risk of developing malignant neoplasms was higher in men (P = 0.012). Data obtained from the Dutch National Registry of GH Treatment in Adults indicate that GHD women might be treated suboptimally, reflected as lower IGF-1 status and lower GHRT tolerability, leading to more frequent changes in treatment regimen but not discontinuation of GHRT. Regarding long-term safety, we found a higher risk for development of malignancies in GHD men.

Ectopic lipid deposition and insulin resistance in patients with GH disorders before and after treatment.

Insulin resistance is associated with ectopic lipid deposition. Growth hormone (GH) status also modulates ectopic lipid accumulation, but how this associates with insulin resistance in patients with GH disorders is not well established. Twenty-one patients diagnosed with acromegaly and 12 patients with adult GH deficiency (GHD) were studied at diagnosis and after treatment. A reference group of 12 subjects was included. Each study day comprised assessment of body composition with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, ectopic lipid deposition in the liver by MR spectroscopy, and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Disease control of acromegaly decreased lean body mass (LBM) (P < .000) and increased the percentage of total body fat (TBF) (P < .000). GH replacement increased LBM in the GHD patients (P = .007) and decreased the percentage of TBF (P = .010). The intrahepatic lipid (IHL) content increased after disease control in acromegaly (P = .004), whereas IHL did not change significantly after GH replacement in GHD (P = .34). Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) improved after disease control of acromegaly (P < .000) and remained unaltered after GH replacement in the GHD patients (P = .829). GH status is a significant modulator of body composition and insulin sensitivity.GH excess reduces total fat mass and intrahepatic lipid content together with induction of insulin resistance.The data support the notion that GH-induced insulin resistance is unassociated with hepatic lipid accumulation.

Reduced CV risk with long-term GH replacement in AGHD: data from two large observational studies.

Adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease. Long-term growth hormone (GH) treatment could improve CV outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate CV disease risk in patients with AGHD who received GH replacement therapy for up to 10 years as part of NordiNet® IOS (NCT00960128) and the ANSWER Program (NCT01009905). The studies were observational, non-interventional and multicentre, monitoring long-term effectiveness and safety of GH treatment. NordiNet® IOS involved 23 countries (469 sites) across Europe and the Middle East. The ANSWER Program was conducted in the USA (207 sites). This analysis included patients aged 18-75 years who were GH naïve at study entry, who had ≤10 years of GH treatment data and who could be assessed for CV risk for at least 1 follow-up year. The main outcome measure was risk of CV disease by age 75 years, as calculated with the Multinational Cardiovascular Risk Consortium model (Brunner score) using non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol adjusted for age, sex and CV risk factors. The results of this analysis showed that CV risk decreased gradually over the 10-year period for GH-treated patients. The risk was lower for patients treated for 2 and 7 years vs age- and sex-matched control groups (not yet started treatment) (14.51% vs 16.15%; P = 0.0105 and 13.53% vs 16.81%; P = 0.0001, respectively). This suggests that GH treatment in people with AGHD may reduce the risk of CV disease by age 75 years compared with matched controls.

A new insight into GH regulation and its disturbance from nutrition and autoimmune perspectives.

GH activates GH receptors, which activates IGF-1 in the liver through a cascade of processes. The GH/IGF-1 axis plays an important role in the regulation of metabolism. Insufficient GH secretion results in short stature in childhood, while adult GH deficiency (AGHD) is observed in adulthood. The early diagnosis of AGHD is important for early initiation of GH replacement therapy. This review described the regulatory mechanisms of GH signaling based on nutritional status and a novel disease concept pathogenesis that causes AGHD. GH-dependent IGF-1 production in the liver is regulated by a complex interplay between nutritional status, hormones, and growth factors. GH resistance is an adaptive response that enhances survival during starvation and malnutrition. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) negatively regulates GH-induced IGF-I production in the liver by directly inhibiting STAT5 activation, which causes GH resistance under starvation and malnutrition. The presence of autoantibodies is strongly associated with the disruption of immune tolerance in pituitary cells. Pituitary-specific transcription factors (PIT-1) are essential for the development, differentiation, and maintenance of GH, PRL, and TSH producing cells. However, the underlying mechanism that causes immune intolerance to PIT-1 remain unclear. The GH-IGF-1 system plays a pivotal role in growth, and the involvement of SIRT1 in this regulatory mechanism presents an intriguing perspective on the interplay between nutrient metabolism and lifespan. The discovery of the anti-PIT-1 pituitary antibody, a novel disease concept associated with AGHD, has provided valuable insights, which serves as a significant milestone towards unraveling the complete pathogenesis of the disease.

Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adults - Indications and Dosage

Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adults - Indications and Dosage

Growth Hormone Cut-Off Post Glucagon Stimulation Test in an Indian Cohort of Overweight/Obese Hypopituitary Patients for the Diagnosis of Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency.

Obesity has been associated with reduced growth hormone (GH) secretion, which might lead to the over diagnosis of adult GH deficiency (GHD) in overweight (OW)/obese hypopituitary patients. Currently, there are no body mass index (BMI)-specific peak GH cut-offs for the glucagon stimulation test (GST) for assessing adult GHD in India, given the BMI cut-offs vary for Asians. The study's main objective was to determine a peak GH cut-off level for the diagnosis of adult GHD in overweight (OW)/obese individuals utilizing the GST. Forty OW/obese subjects were studied in two groups of 20 each. The first group included 20 OW/obese hypopituitary adults and the second group included 20 control subjects. The intervention consisted of a 3 h GST. The main outcome measured was the peak GH level on GST. The mean age of control subjects was lower (33.15 ± 7.67 v/s. 42.10 ± 13.70 years; P = 0.017) in comparison with hypopituitary adults. The mean BMI (27.93 ± 1.63 v/s. 25.81 ± 1.66 kg/m2; P < 0.001), mean IGF1 (272.81 ± 38.57 v/s. 163.75 ± 42.42; P < 0.001, and mean HOMA IR (11.8 ± 9.7 v/s. 6.02 ± 3.14; P = 0.02) was greater in OW/obese controls. The mean GH peak was significantly higher in control subjects (5.41 ± 3.59 ng/mL v/s. 1.49 ± 1.25 ng/mL; P < 0.001) compared to hypopituitary subjects. ROC curve analysis demonstrated a GH cut-off of 3.3 ng/mL with a moderate sensitivity of 70% and high specificity of 95%, with an AUC of 0.838 (P < 0.001; 95% confidence interval [CI] of 0.710-0.965) for the diagnosis of GHD in overweight/obese hypopituitary adults. This study demonstrates that a cut-off of 3.3 ng/mL would diagnose GHD in Indian overweight/obese hypopituitary adults.

Guidance for the treatment of adult growth hormone deficiency with somapacitan, a long-acting growth hormone preparation.

Adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) is a rare endocrine disorder characterized by an abnormal body composition, metabolic abnormalities associated with increased cardiovascular diseases, bone loss, and impaired quality of life. Daily subcutaneous injections with recombinant growth hormone (GH) can alleviate the abnormalities associated with AGHD. Several long-acting GH (LAGH) preparations are currently in development that aim to reduce treatment burden for patients receiving daily GH injections. Somapacitan (Sogroya®; Novo Nordisk, Denmark) is the first LAGH preparation that has been approved for treatment of AGHD in the United States, Europe, and Japan. The recent approval of somapacitan and anticipated approval of other LAGH molecules presents new questions for physicians planning to treat AGHD with LAGH in the future. Differences in the technologies used to prolong the half-life of recombinant GH are expected to result in variations in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles between preparations. Therefore, it is essential that physicians understand and consider such variations when treating patients with these novel GH replacement therapies. Here, we present a set of treatment recommendations that have been created to guide physicians initiating therapy with somapacitan in patients with AGHD who are eligible for GH replacement. Furthermore, we will review the published data that underlie these recommendations to explain the rationale for the treatment and monitoring advice provided.

Increased levels of plasma neudesin in adult growth hormone deficiency and their relationship with plasma liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide-2 levels: a cross-sectional study.

Adult growth hormone deficiency (aGHD) is characterized by an altered metabolic profile and increased cardiovascular risk. Neudesin is a newly discovered protein mainly secreted from adipose tissue and brain, under evaluation for its possible activity as a negative regulator of energy expenditure. Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide (LEAP)-2 is a competitive antagonist of ghrelin on its receptor. An observational cross-sectional study was performed to test the hypothesis that plasma neudesin levels may be modified in aGHD. Given the role played in the energy balance, any possible relationships between neudesin, LEAP-2 and metabolic and anthropometric parameters were evaluated. Thirty-eight patients were included: 18 aGHD patients (7 females and 11 males, aged 59.7 ± 2.6years, BMI 30.2 ± 2.2kg/m2); 20 healthy controls (12 females and 8 males, aged 47.1 ± 2.5years, BMI 24.1 ± 0.9kg/m2). All patients were evaluated for glucose, insulin, HOMA and QUICKI index, total/LDL/HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, and IGF-1. Plasma neudesin, LEAP-2, and ghrelin were measured by ELISA. Fat mass was evaluated by DEXA. Neudesin levels were significantly higher in aGHD versus controls. We confirmed the finding of significantly lower ghrelin levels and significantly higher LEAP-2/ghrelin ratio in aGHD patients and found a significant direct correlation between neudesin and LEAP-2 levels. A significant direct correlation between neudesin and fat mass percentage was found in the whole population. These results suggest the onset of adaptive responses to an altered metabolic picture in aGHD. The changes in two distinct pathways that modulate food intake and the still limited knowledge about neudesin suggest future developments in this field.

Weekly somapacitan had no adverse effects on glucose metabolism in adults with growth hormone deficiency

PurposeThe long-term effects of long-acting growth hormone (LAGH) analogues on glucose metabolism in adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) are not known. We investigated the impact of LAGH somapacitan, administered once-weekly, on glucose metabolism in patients with AGHD.MethodsIn post hoc-defined analyses, we compared the effects of somapacitan with daily growth hormone (GH) and placebo on fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and beta-cell function (HOMA-β) in patients with AGHD across a unique data set from three phase 3 randomized controlled trials (REAL 1, REAL 2 and REAL Japan).ResultsNo new cases of diabetes mellitus were reported with somapacitan. Among GH-naïve patients (n = 120 somapacitan, n = 119 daily GH), higher changes from baseline in FPG, HOMA-IR and fasting insulin levels were observed with daily GH versus somapacitan at 34 weeks, but not at 86 weeks. HbA1c and HOMA-β did not differ between groups at either timepoint. Among treatment-naïve patients, sex, age, fasting insulin, glucose tolerance status and body mass index did not influence changes in glucose metabolism. In previously treated patients (REAL 1 extension: n = 51 somapacitan, n = 52 daily GH; REAL 2: n = 61 and n = 31, respectively; REAL Japan: n = 46 and n = 16, respectively), the difference in changes from baseline were not statistically significant between somapacitan and daily GH for any glucose metabolism parameters.ConclusionsSomapacitan, compared with daily GH, did not adversely affect glucose metabolism up to 86 weeks in a large cohort of treatment-naïve or previously treated patients with AGHD.Trial registrations (date of registration): NCT02229851 (2 September 2014), NCT02382939 (3 March 2015), NCT03075644 (7 March 2017).

PMON60 Growth Hormone (GH) Replacement Therapy (GHRT) in Patients with Adult GH Deficiency (AGHD) Aged ≥60 Years: Data from NordiNet® IOS and the ANSWER Program

Abstract There are limited data on the effectiveness and safety of GHRT in older patients with AGHD. We compared real-world GHRT outcomes in older (aged ≥60 years) versus middle-aged (35–&amp;lt;60 years) adults. NordiNet® IOS (NCT00960128) and ANSWER (NCT01009905) were non-interventional studies investigating long-term effectiveness and safety of GHRT with Norditropin® (somatropin, Novo Nordisk). Safety was assessed in the Full Analysis Set (FAS) from both studies (non-GH-naïve patients included). The Effectiveness Analysis Set (EAS) was from NordiNet® IOS only (GH-naïve patients; ANSWER-EAS included patients previously treated for ≤6 months). Serious adverse reactions (SARs) and non-serious ARs (NSARs) with a suspected causal relationship to GHRT, and serious adverse events (SAEs) not considered related to GHRT are presented as incidence rates per 1000 patient-years and as incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for older versus middle-aged adults. Of the 759 patients in the EAS, 545 were middle-aged and 214 older adults, mean (standard deviation) age 48.5 (7.0) and 67.2 (4.9) years, with 45.9% and 39.3% females, respectively. At baseline, GH dose was 0.24 (0.16) and 0.20 (0.10) mg/day, insulin-like growth factor-I standard deviation score (IGF-I SDS) was -0.94 (1.40) and -0.82 (1.36) and BMI was 29.29 (6.09) and 28.95 (4.58) kg/m2, respectively. Mean follow-up was 5.4 (4.3) and 5.3 (3.9) years, respectively. Of the 2348 patients in the FAS, 1696 were middle-aged and 652 older adults, aged 48.4 (7.1) and 67.1 (5.1) years, of which 52.4% and 43.3% were female, respectively. Baseline GH dose was 0.32 (0.24) and 0.26 (0.18) mg/day, IGF-I SDS was -0.58 (1.53) and -0.27 (1.54) and BMI was 30.50 (7.26) and 29.42 (5.39) kg/m2, respectively. Mean follow-up was 5.2 (4.5) and 4.7 (3.9) years, respectively. Mean GH exposure was greater in women than men, and in middle-aged than older women (FAS); it increased slightly over time in all groups. Baseline IGF-I SDS was slightly higher in older versus middle-aged women, but not men (EAS). Mean IGF-I SDS increased from below 0 to values ≤1.24 with GHRT. Mean changes in BMI (EAS) and HbA1c (EAS and FAS) were small and similar between age groups in both sexes. No statistically significant differences were observed between older and middle-aged adults regarding incidence rates for NSARs (5.66 vs 5.38; IRR [mean; 95%CI] 1.051 [0.604;1.831]) and SARs (1.00 vs 2.52; IRR 0.396 [0.119;1.324]). As expected, SAE incidence rate (considered unrelated to GHRT) was higher in the older group (16.64 vs 9.04, IRR 1.840 [1.291;2.622]). Similarly, the IRRs of patients ≥75 (n=59) years versus the middle-aged group were only significant for SAEs (23.09 vs 9.04; IRR 2.553 [1.113;5.855]). These data suggest similar clinical outcomes with GHRT in patients with AGHD aged ≥60 compared with 35–&amp;lt;60 years without additional risk of adverse drug reactions in older patients. Presentation: Monday, June 13, 2022 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

ODP329 Long-term Effect of Daily Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy on Glucose Tolerance in Adult growth Hormone Deficiency

Abstract Background Growth hormone replacement therapy (GHRT) in adults with growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) has shown to improve body composition, lipid and bone metabolism, and quality of life (QOL), but its effect on glucose tolerance can be bidirectional. Objective To investigate the long-term effect of GHRT on glucose tolerance in AGHD patients. Patients and Methods We conducted a retrospective single-center study at Kobe University Hospital. One hundred twenty-five AGHD patients who had visited our department since January 2011 to September 2021 were enrolled. The exclusion criteria was as follows: Patients 1) who never received GHRT 2) whose HbA1c was 6.5% or higher, or under antidiabetic drugs before GHRT, 3) not available data on HbA1c at baseline or after GHRT 4) with functional pituitary adenomas, 5) who had initiated GHRT at childhood and had discontinued GH for less than 1year due to transition, 6) who receiving supraphysiological doses of steroid therapy, 7) GHRT interruption period for more than 1 year or its initiation from less than 2 months. Fifty-three AGHD patients eventually met the inclusion criteria. We collected data at baseline, 3, 6, 12 months after treatment, and at each patients’ last visit. The influence of GHRT on glucose metabolism and its associated factors were analyzed. All data were presented as median [interquartile range]. Results Fifty-three patients (27 female (51. 0%), 14 childhood onset (26.4%), age at GH initiation was 45 [32 - 60] years, the duration of GHRT was 4 [2 - 6] years) were analyzed. Both IGF-I levels and IGF-I SDS increased at the last visit compared to baseline: 56 [38 - 88] to 119 [84.5 - 181] ng/mL (P&amp;lt;0. 01), and -3.4 [-5.1 - -2.4] to -0.2 [-1.8 - 1.1] (P&amp;lt;0. 01), respectively. Waist circumference and BMI remained unchanged: 85 [78 - 90.5]cm to 78.5 [72.1 - 86. 0]cm (P=0.18), 23.1 [21.3 - 26.3] kg/m 2 to 22.9 [21.9 - 26.8] kg/m 2 (P=0.53), respectively. HbA1c at baseline, 3, 6, 12 months after treatment, and the last visit were unchanged: 5.7[5.4 - 5.9]%, 5.7 [5.5 - 5.9]%, 5.8 [5.5 - 6. 0]%, 5.7 [5.5 - 6. 0]%, and 5.7 [5.5 - 6. 0]% (P=0.27). Based on the amount of change in HbA1c (ΔHbA1c) between baseline and at the last visit, we divided into two groups; Elevated/ Unchanged (E/U), and Reduced (R). Interestingly, the amount of change in BMI increased in E/U group but decreased in R group (0.9[-0.1–1.8] vs. -1.2[-1.4 - -0.1], P=0. 02). Conclusions Overall, GHRT was safely used in regard with impaired glucose tolerance at least non-diabetes mellitus patients with AGHD. Among them, cases with impaired glucose tolerance during GHRT were associated with increased BMI. Presentation: No date and time listed

ODP332 Maternal Central Diabetes Insipidus Immediately after Delivery, Owing to Vasospasm of the Internal Carotid Artery

Abstract Background Sheehan's syndrome is a cause of hypopituitarism during the postpartum period, but it rarely manifests immediately after birth. Clinical Case We report the case of a 30-year-old woman who delivered her second child, lost 1,050 mL of blood in the process, but did not receive a blood transfusion. A few hours after delivery, the patient complained of headache, nausea, and thirst, and her urine production increased to 9 L/day. No menstrual irregularities or abnormalities during pregnancy or childbirth had been reported. None of hypotension, external eye muscle paralysis, or visual impairment were identified on physical examination. The laboratory findings were low urine osmolality and high serum osmolality and sodium concentration. The concentrations of thyroid hormones, growth hormone (GH), and anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) were found to be low. The IgG4 concentration was not high (4.7 mg/dL; normal &amp;lt;105 mg/dL) and the patient was negative for anti rabphilin-3A antibody. Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on the day of admission showed enlargement of the pituitary gland and stalk, and magnetic resonance angiography showed stenosis of the left internal carotid artery. The patient showed a poor response to GH-releasing peptide 2 and thyroid releasing hormone stimulation. Hypertonic saline administration did not cause an increase in ADH concentration. We diagnosed adult growth hormone deficiency (aGHD), central hypothyroidism, and central diabetes insipidus (DI). The enlargement of the pituitary gland was slightly less marked and the stenosis of the left internal carotid artery improved 7 days after admission. After 6 months, the pituitary gland was almost normal in size, although the aGHD, central hypothyroidism, and central DI remained. Sheehan's syndrome or lymphocytic hypophysitis could have been responsible for the postpartum hypopituitarism. This case was not typical of lymphocytic hypophysitis with respect to the hormone deficiency pattern, the MRI findings, and the lack of anti rabphilin-3A antibody. Sheehan's syndrome is caused by ischemic necrosis of the anterior pituitary gland after severe postpartum hemorrhage. The prevalence of central DI is estimated to be 2%–3%. Typically, pituitary dysfunction progresses slowly and develops several years after childbirth. In contrast, in the present patient, stenosis of the left internal carotid artery developed and improved during short periods of time. The vasospasm of the internal carotid artery caused reductions in flow through the superior and inferior hypophysial arteries, which resulted in ischemia and necrosis of the pituitary gland, similar to Sheehan's syndrome. Clinical Lesson: Although rare, maternal central DI can be caused by ischemia and vasospasm immediately after the delivery of a child. The possibility of a pituitary stroke in the presence of neoplastic disease should not be ruled out, and imaging and pituitary gland function should be followed over the long term. Presentation: No date and time listed

PMON64 Economic Burden of Growth Hormone Deficiency in a US Adult Population

Abstract Background Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is a rare disorder currently treated in adults with daily injections of somatropin. Adults with GHD have a diminished quality of life, central adiposity, which may put them at risk for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease, and decreased bone mineral density. Treatment of adults with GHD is associated with improvement in metabolic impairment and quality of life. Poor adherence to or lack of treatment with somatropin is associated with reduced or lack of efficacy and increased costs. This study analyzed healthcare costs and daily somatropin use among adults with GHD who had Medicaid or commercial health insurance in the US. Methods Adult patients with a GHD diagnosis between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2017 were identified in the IBM Marketscan Medicaid and Commercial Databases (index date = first diagnosis). Patients with GHD were directly matched (1: 3) to controls without GHD (or other short stature-related disorder) on age, gender, plan type, region, and race (Medicaid only). Baseline comorbidities and medications were measured during the 12 months pre-index. All-cause and GHD-related healthcare costs and somatropin use were measured during the variable follow-up period. Results The 2,579 Medicaid and 24,373 commercial patients with GHD who met the study inclusion criteria were matched to 7,728 Medicaid and 73,119 commercial controls. Little variation was observed between the demographic makeup of adult patients with and without GHD, demonstrating effective matching. Participants were evenly split between male and female. Median age at index was 37 years for Medicaid patients and 48 years for commercial patients. Mean follow-up time was 41 and 31 months for Medicaid patients and controls, and 35 and 37 months for commercial patients and controls, respectively. Compared to controls, GHD patients were disproportionately affected by comorbidities, including endocrine conditions (&amp;gt;68% in GHD cases vs. ≤10% in controls), metabolic conditions (&amp;gt;93% in GHD cases vs. ≤39% in controls), hepatic and renal function conditions (18-23% in GHD cases vs. &amp;lt;10% in controls), and cardiovascular disease (41-53% in GHD cases vs. &amp;lt;29% in controls), and were disproportionately treated with concomitant medications. Mean annual all-cause healthcare costs were 4.6 times greater ($42,309 vs. $9,146) for Medicaid GHD patients than controls and 4.1 times greater ($30,111 vs. $7,376) for commercial GHD patients than controls. For Medicaid GHD patients, inpatient costs were a primary driver ($22,385 vs. $3,494 for controls), while outpatient costs made up the largest proportion for commercial patients ($13,083 vs. $4,057 for controls). Few patients were treated with somatropin therapy in both Medicaid (5.8%) and commercial (9.5%) GHD cohorts. Conclusion Adult patients with GHD experience a substantial comorbidity and economic burden compared to non-GHD controls. Adult GHD remains primarily untreated and presents a significant healthcare burden. Presentation: Monday, June 13, 2022 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Somapacitan: a long-acting growth hormone derivative for treatment of growth hormone deficiency

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is characterized by inadequate HG production from the anterior pituitary gland. Adult patients with GHD have increased fat mass, an abnormal lipid profile, decreased lean body mass and bone mineral density, decreased muscle strength and exercise endurance, and a diminished quality of life. Adult GHD (AGHD) has been treated with GH replacement therapy by daily subcutaneous injections. However, the administration of daily injections can be burdensome for some patients and affect treatment adherence. Somapacitan is a new long-acting human GH (hGH) analogue that is administered once a week by subcutaneous injection. It was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as GH replacement therapy for adults with GHD, becoming the first hGH therapy for AGHD administered by once-weekly injection, compared with other approved hGH therapies for AGHD administered by daily injection. This article reviews the pharmacokinetic, clinical and safety data that led to the approval of somapacitan as the first long-acting GH therapy for adults with GHD.

Effects of 18 months of GH replacement on cardiovascular risk factors and quality of life in GH deficient adults; a randomized controlled trial using a fixed very low and a standard dose of GH

ObjectiveLittle is known of the effects of a fixed very low dose of growth hormone (GH) replacement on cardiovascular risk factors, bone mass, muscle strength and quality of life (QoL) in hypopituitary patients. Design/patients/methodsThis was an open-label randomized study performed at a single center. Consecutive hypopituitary patients with adult onset GH deficiency (GHD) and BMI ≥ 27 kg/m2 were randomized to receive a very low fixed dose of GH (LG, n = 9) or a standard dose of GH (SG, n = 9). Body composition, glucose and lipid metabolism, bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD), muscle strength, and QoL were measured at baseline and after 6, 12 and 18 months. ResultsThe fixed GH dose in LG was 0.1 mg/day. In SG, the mean baseline GH dose of 0.13 mg/day was gradually increased to 0.31 mg/day at study end. Lean body mass (LBM) as measured using DEXA as well as total body water (TBW) and extracellular water (ECW) were increased only in SG (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, and P < 0.01 vs. LG, respectively). There were no between-groups differences in BMD, BMC, insulin sensitivity, lipids, or muscle strength. Finally, although not significant compared with SG, a sustained improvement in QoL was seen in LG according to the QoL-AGHDA questionnaire. ConclusionIn this pilot study, a fixed very low GH dose improved QoL in GHD adults without any induction of fluid retention. Other effects were comparable to those produced by the standard GH dose. Replacement with a very low GH dose could therefore be a treatment option in hypopituitary patients, especially in patients who do not tolerate higher GH dosage.Trial registrationThis study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, EU-nr 2009–016783-37.

Predictive factors for recovery from adult growth hormone deficiency after transsphenoidal surgery for nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma.

Recovery from adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) after transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) has not been well discussed because of the lack of examinations including pituitary provocation tests (PPTs) before and after the procedure. This study aimed to evaluate the growth hormone (GH) axis function of patients with nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) via pre- and postoperative PPTs. Moreover, the predictive factors for recovery from AGHD after TSS were validated to facilitate surgery for AGHD in patients with NFPA. In total, 276 patients (median age 60.0 years) who underwent TSS for NFPA were included in this study. PPTs were performed before and 3 months after TSS. Then, the relationships between recovery from AGHD after TSS and clinical, surgical, and hormonal factors, including peak GH level based on PPTs, were evaluated statistically. In this study, 114 patients were diagnosed with preoperative AGHD. Approximately 25.4% recovered from AGHD after TSS. In contrast, among the 162 patients without preoperative AGHD, 13 (8.0%) had newly developed postoperative AGHD. The predictive factors for recovery from AGHD were younger age, female sex, initial TSS, and high peak GH level based on preoperative PPT. According to the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, patients who were aged ≤ 62.2 years and had a peak GH level of ≥ 0.74 μg/L based on preoperative PPT were likely to recover from AGHD (sensitivity: 82.8%, specificity: 72.9%, and area under the curve: 0.8229). AGHD caused by NFPA can improve after initial TSS among young patients with certain peak GH levels assessed by preoperative PPT. Whether TSS for NFPA can promote recovery from AGHD is worth considering in some patients.

What do we do now that the long-acting growth hormone is here?

In standard 52-week phase III clinical trials, once weekly lonapegsomatropin, somatrogon and somapacitan have been found to yield non-inferior height velocities and similar safety profiles to daily GH (DGH) in children with pediatric growth hormone deficiency (PGHD).Lonapegsomatropin, a long-acting GH therapy (LAGH), was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2021 for the treatment of PGHD and has also been approved in other regions of the world. Somatrogon was approved for the treatment of PGHD beginning in some regions beginning in late 2021. Somapacitan was approved by the FDA for the treatment of Adult GHD in August 2020. The phase III clinical trial of somapacitan for the treatment of PGHD has been completed and demonstrated non-inferiority of somapacitan to DGH.New LAGH products may improve patient adherence, quality of life and clinical outcomes, particularly in patients with poor adherence to daily GH injections in the future. With the availability of new LAGH products, clinicians will need to identify the best candidates for LAGH therapy and understand how to monitor and adjust therapy. Long-term surveillance studies are needed to demonstrate adherence, efficacy, cost-effectiveness and safety of LAGH preparations and to understand how the non-physiological pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles following administration of each LAGH product relate to short- and long-term safety and efficacy of LAGH therapy.

Attenuation of Human Growth Hormone-Induced Rash With Graded Dose Challenge

Adult growth hormone (GH) deficiency is rare and requires replacement with extrinsic/synthetic injection. GH hypersensitivity has been reported; specifically, atopic patients may develop rashes from somatotropin therapy. Allergic and non-allergic skin reactions to recombinant human GH are uncommon and infrequently reported. We describe a graded-dose challenge with intravenous Norditropin® in a 65-year-old atopic adult woman who developed a severe whole-body rash with Norditropin FlexPro® administration on several occasions but was negative on skin-prick testing to Norditropin® percutaneously and intradermally, but the patch testing was positive for gold and nickel.The patient was registered as a direct admission to the emergency room at a university hospital for a rapid antigen coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing after having received two COVID-19 vaccinations and re-testing four months after vaccination. She was then directly admitted to a non-COVID-19 intensive care unit with direct bedside supervision by a registered nurse and a physician board certified in internal medicine, allergy/immunology, and pulmonary diseases. The patient brought a Norditropin® pen which our pharmacy team attached to a compatible syringe for dilutions. A graded dose challenge at a final dosage of 0.1 mL was performed and the patient was monitored for allergic and other adverse drug reactions, which did not occur. At the time of writing this case report, the patient has been maintained on Norditropin FlexPro® 0.1 mL and has not experienced any adverse reactions, including recurrent skin eruptions.The case presented is the first to describe a patient who successfully tolerated a graded dose challenge of an adult patient to GH replacement therapy (as Norditropin®) under supervision in an intensive care unit, whereas prior to reporting of this case, a graded dose challenge to GH replacement therapy had only been successfully performed in a child using another formulation of somatotropin (Humatrope®). Hence, this case lends support that graded dose challenge with somatotropin analogs may be considered for patients with isolated GH deficiency such as in the case presented here.

Comprehensive assessment of cardiovascular disease risk in children with short stature due to isolated growth hormone deficiency: a case-control study.

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in adults is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although children with GHD are also believed to have a similar cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk beginning at an early age, the available data in children is scarce. We aimed to determine the various CVD risk parameters in children with isolated GHD (IGHD). A cross-sectional case-control study was conducted at a tertiary care centre in North India comparing various auxological, biochemical, and echocardiographic parameters between 20 IGHD children aged 5-15 years and their age and sex-matched healthy controls. The mean age of children with IGHD and controls was similar (10.5±2.6yr vs. 9.9±2.7yr, p=0.48). Children with IGHD had significantly higher waist-hip-ratio (p=0.01), total cholesterol (p=0.02), non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (p=0.02), serum homocysteine (p<0.001), C-reactive protein (CRP) (p=0.01) and pro-brain natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) (p=0.04) levels as compared to healthy controls. Left ventricular mass (LVM) and interventricular septal thickness were significantly lower (p=0.04; p=0.02) in IGHD children. Correlation analysis showed that pro-BNP and CRP levels had negative correlation (p<0.001, r=-0.70; and p=0.04, r=-0.44, respectively) and LVM had a positive correlation (p=0.02, r=0.53) with height SDS among IGHD children. Children with IGHD showed abnormalities in several biochemical and cardiac parameters that may be associated with an increased CVD risk in later life. More extensive studies, including younger children with IGHD, are needed to determine the lower ages at which the CVD risk is detectable.

Reduced Bone Mineral Density in Middle-Aged Male Patients with Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency.

The aim of the work was to investigate the bone mineral density (BMD) in middle-aged male patients with both childhood-onset (CO) and adulthood-onset (AO) adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD). In this retrospective cross-sectional study in a major medical center in China, dual X-ray absorptiometry was performed in 50 male AGHD patients (average age was 35.2±9.8 years) and 50 age- and BMI-matched non-athletic healthy men. BMD was compared between AGHD patients and controls. Compared with healthy controls, AGHD group had significantly decreased IGF-1 (p1<0.001) and IGF-1 SDS (p1<0.001). Serum testosterone levels were significantly lower in AGHD patients (p1<0.001), mainly in AO AGHD patients (p3<0.001). The BMD of the femoral neck, trochanter, femoral shaft, total hip, and lumbar spine were significantly lower in all AGHD patients compared with healthy controls (all p1<0.05), especially in CO AGHD patients (all p2<0.05). Multiple stepwise linear regression indicated AGHD was negatively correlated with BMD at each site (β<0, p<0.05). Additionally, serum testosterone level was an independent influencing factor of BMD of the femoral neck (β=0.256, p=0.018) and lumbar spine (β=0.219, p=0.040). BMD was significantly reduced in AGHD patients, especially in CO AGHD patients. Our data suggested that the status of growth hormone deficiency and testosterone level were important for maintaining of bone mineral density in middle-aged male patients with AGHD.