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Hormone Research in Paediatrics 2019The Growth Hormone Research Society (GRS) convened a Workshop in March 2019 to evaluate the diagnosis and therapy of short stature in children. Forty-six international... (Review)
Review
The Growth Hormone Research Society (GRS) convened a Workshop in March 2019 to evaluate the diagnosis and therapy of short stature in children. Forty-six international experts participated at the invitation of GRS including clinicians, basic scientists, and representatives from regulatory agencies and the pharmaceutical industry. Following plenary presentations addressing the current diagnosis and therapy of short stature in children, breakout groups discussed questions produced in advance by the planning committee and reconvened to share the group reports. A writing team assembled one document that was subsequently discussed and revised by participants. Participants from regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical companies were not part of the writing process. Short stature is the most common reason for referral to the pediatric endocrinologist. History, physical examination, and auxology remain the most important methods for understanding the reasons for the short stature. While some long-standing topics of controversy continue to generate debate, including in whom, and how, to perform and interpret growth hormone stimulation tests, new research areas are changing the clinical landscape, such as the genetics of short stature, selection of patients for genetic testing, and interpretation of genetic tests in the clinical setting. What dose of growth hormone to start, how to adjust the dose, and how to identify and manage a suboptimal response are still topics to debate. Additional areas that are expected to transform the growth field include the development of long-acting growth hormone preparations and other new therapeutics and diagnostics that may increase adult height or aid in the diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency.
Topics: Child; Growth Disorders; Human Growth Hormone; Humans
PubMed: 31514194
DOI: 10.1159/000502231 -
Hormone Research in Paediatrics 2016On behalf of the Drug and Therapeutics, and Ethics Committees of the Pediatric Endocrine Society, we sought to update the guidelines published in 2003 on the use of...
Guidelines for Growth Hormone and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Treatment in Children and Adolescents: Growth Hormone Deficiency, Idiopathic Short Stature, and Primary Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Deficiency.
BACKGROUND/AIMS
On behalf of the Drug and Therapeutics, and Ethics Committees of the Pediatric Endocrine Society, we sought to update the guidelines published in 2003 on the use of growth hormone (GH). Because idiopathic short stature (ISS) remains a controversial indication, and diagnostic challenges often blur the distinction between ISS, GH deficiency (GHD), and primary IGF-I deficiency (PIGFD), we focused on these three diagnoses, thereby adding recombinant IGF-I therapy to the GH guidelines for the first time.
METHODS
This guideline was developed following the GRADE approach (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation).
RESULTS
This guideline provides recommendations for the clinical management of children and adolescents with growth failure from GHD, ISS, or PIGFD using the best available evidence.
CONCLUSION
The taskforce suggests that the recommendations be applied in clinical practice with consideration of the evolving literature and the risks and benefits to each individual patient. In many instances, careful review highlights areas that need further research.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Growth Disorders; Human Growth Hormone; Humans; Infant; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Male
PubMed: 27884013
DOI: 10.1159/000452150 -
Cells Jun 2021Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I) are pleiotropic hormones with important roles in lifespan. They promote growth, anabolic actions, and body... (Review)
Review
Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I) are pleiotropic hormones with important roles in lifespan. They promote growth, anabolic actions, and body maintenance, and in conditions of energy deprivation, favor catabolic feedback mechanisms switching from carbohydrate oxidation to lipolysis, with the aim to preserve protein storages and survival. IGF-I/insulin signaling was also the first one identified in the regulation of lifespan in relation to the nutrient-sensing. Indeed, nutrients are crucial modifiers of the GH/IGF-I axis, and these hormones also regulate the complex orchestration of utilization of nutrients in cell and tissues. The aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge on the reciprocal feedback among the GH/IGF-I axis, macro and micronutrients, and dietary regimens, including caloric restriction. Expanding the depth of information on this topic could open perspectives in nutrition management, prevention, and treatment of GH/IGF-I deficiency or excess during life.
Topics: Caloric Restriction; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Human Growth Hormone; Humans; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Lipolysis; Micronutrients; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 34199514
DOI: 10.3390/cells10061376 -
International Journal of Molecular... Dec 2021Ever since the discoveries that human hair follicles (HFs) display the functional peripheral equivalent of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, exhibit elements of... (Review)
Review
Ever since the discoveries that human hair follicles (HFs) display the functional peripheral equivalent of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, exhibit elements of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, and even generate melatonin and prolactin, human hair research has proven to be a treasure chest for the exploration of neurohormone functions. However, growth hormone (GH), one of the dominant neurohormones of human neuroendocrine physiology, remains to be fully explored in this context. This is interesting since it has long been appreciated clinically that excessive GH serum levels induce distinct human skin pathology. Acromegaly, or GH excess, is associated with hypertrichosis, excessive androgen-independent growth of body hair, and hirsutism in females, while dysfunctional GH receptor-mediated signaling (Laron syndrome) is associated with alopecia and prominent HF defects. The outer root sheath keratinocytes have recently been shown to express functional GH receptors. Furthermore, and contrary to its name, recombinant human GH is known to inhibit female human scalp HFs' growth ex vivo, likely via stimulating the expression of the catagen-inducing growth factor, TGF-β2. These limited available data encourage one to systematically explore the largely uncharted role of GH in human HF biology to uncover nonclassical functions of this core neurohormone in human skin physiology.
Topics: Female; Hair Follicle; Human Growth Hormone; Humans; Receptors, Somatotropin; Skin
PubMed: 34948002
DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413205 -
Sports Health 2018Recombinant human growth hormone (rHGH) has become a target of abuse in the sporting world. Conversely, sports medicine clinicians may encounter athletes using rHGH to... (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
Recombinant human growth hormone (rHGH) has become a target of abuse in the sporting world. Conversely, sports medicine clinicians may encounter athletes using rHGH to achieve normalcy in the context of growth hormone (GH) deficiency.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
Medline and PubMed databases were queried using the following keywords: GH, GH physiology, GH deficiency, acromegaly, GH athlete, GH sports, GH athletic performance, and GH deficiency concussion. Articles focusing on GH physiology, deficiency, excess, and its effects in both deficient and healthy patients were included.
STUDY DESIGN
Clinical review.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Level 3.
RESULTS
GH is a naturally occurring hormone with important roles in human physiology. Patients with GH deficiency (GHD) present variably, and GHD has numerous etiologies. rHGH treatment has substantial therapeutic benefits for patients with GHD. The benefits of rHGH treatment in otherwise-healthy adults are uncertain. GH excess may cause health problems such as acromegaly. Professional, collegiate, and international sports leagues and associations have banned rHGH use to maintain athlete health, safety, and fair play. Athletes misusing GH may face prolonged suspensions from competition. Implementing GH abuse testing is challenging, but new methods, such as the biomarker testing procedure, are being finalized.
CONCLUSION
rHGH is not only an important therapeutic agent for GH-deficient patients but also a target of abuse in competitive athletics. Its benefits in a healthy, adult population are uncertain. A safe exercise and competition plan, developed with a physician knowledgeable of GH use, physiology, and abuse potential, should be of benefit to a longitudinal clinician-patient relationship.
Topics: Athletic Performance; Body Composition; Brain Concussion; Competitive Behavior; Counseling; Doping in Sports; Human Growth Hormone; Humans; Off-Label Use; Recombinant Proteins; Recurrence; Substance Abuse Detection
PubMed: 29932857
DOI: 10.1177/1941738118782688 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2021The syndrome of impaired GH secretion (GH deficiency) in childhood and adolescence had been identified at the end of the 19 century. Its non-acquired variant (naGHD) is,... (Review)
Review
The syndrome of impaired GH secretion (GH deficiency) in childhood and adolescence had been identified at the end of the 19 century. Its non-acquired variant (naGHD) is, at childhood onset, a rare syndrome of multiple etiologies, predominantly characterized by severe and permanent growth failure culminating in short stature. It is still difficult to diagnose GHD and, in particular, to ascertain impaired GH secretion in comparison to levels in normally-growing children. The debate on what constitutes an optimal diagnostic process continues. Treatment of the GH deficit replacement with cadaveric pituitary human GH (pit-hGH) had first been demonstrated in 1958, and opened an era of therapeutic possibilities, albeit for a limited number of patients. In 1985, the era of recombinant hGH (r-hGH) began: unlimited supply meant that substantial long-term experience could be gained, with greater focus on efficacy, safety and costs. However, even today, the results of current treatment regimes indicate that there is still a substantial fraction of children who do not achieve adult height within the normal range. Renewed evaluation of height outcomes in childhood-onset naGHD is required for a better understanding of the underlying causes, whereby the role of various factors - diagnostics, treatment modalities, mode of treatment evaluation - during the important phases of child growth - infancy, childhood and puberty - are further explored.
Topics: Adolescent; Body Height; Child; Child Development; Dwarfism, Pituitary; Growth Disorders; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Hormone Replacement Therapy; Human Growth Hormone; Humans; Puberty; Time Factors
PubMed: 34539573
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.720419 -
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology... Oct 2021For children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD), treatment burden with daily somatropin injections [human growth hormone (hGH)] is high, which may lead to poor... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
CONTEXT
For children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD), treatment burden with daily somatropin injections [human growth hormone (hGH)] is high, which may lead to poor adherence and suboptimal overall treatment outcomes. Lonapegsomatropin (TransCon hGH) is an investigational long-acting, once-weekly prodrug for the treatment of GHD.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of once-weekly lonapegsomatropin vs daily somatropin.
DESIGN
The heiGHt trial was a randomized, open-label, active-controlled, 52-week Phase 3 trial (NCT02781727).
SETTING
This trial took place at 73 sites across 15 countries.
PATIENTS
This trial enrolled and dosed 161 treatment-naïve, prepubertal patients with GHD.
INTERVENTIONS
Patients were randomized 2:1 to receive lonapegsomatropin 0.24 mg hGH/kg/week or an equivalent weekly dose of somatropin delivered daily.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE
The primary end point was annualized height velocity (AHV) at week 52. Secondary efficacy end points included change from baseline in height SD scores (SDS).
RESULTS
Least squares (LS) mean (SE) AHV at 52 weeks was 11.2 (0.2) cm/year for lonapegsomatropin vs 10.3 (0.3) cm/year for daily somatropin (P = 0.009), with lonapegsomatropin demonstrating both noninferiority and superiority over daily somatropin. LS mean (SE) height SDS increased from baseline to week 52 by 1.10 (0.04) vs 0.96 (0.05) in the weekly lonapegsomatropin vs daily somatropin groups (P = 0.01). Bone age/chronological age ratio, adverse events, tolerability, and immunogenicity were similar between groups.
CONCLUSIONS
The trial met its primary objective of noninferiority in AHV and further showed superiority of lonapegsomatropin compared to daily somatropin, with similar safety, in treatment-naïve children with GHD.
Topics: Child; Dwarfism, Pituitary; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hormone Replacement Therapy; Human Growth Hormone; Humans; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Male; Prognosis
PubMed: 34272849
DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab529 -
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology... Jun 2013Recombinant human GH (rhGH) therapy in Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) has been used by the medical community and advocated by parental support groups since its approval in... (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
Recombinant human GH (rhGH) therapy in Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) has been used by the medical community and advocated by parental support groups since its approval in the United States in 2000 and in Europe in 2001. Its use in PWS represents a unique therapeutic challenge that includes treating individuals with cognitive disability, varied therapeutic goals that are not focused exclusively on increased height, and concerns about potential life-threatening adverse events.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to formulate recommendations for the use of rhGH in children and adult patients with PWS.
EVIDENCE
We performed a systematic review of the clinical evidence in the pediatric population, including randomized controlled trials, comparative observational studies, and long-term studies (>3.5 y). Adult studies included randomized controlled trials of rhGH treatment for ≥ 6 months and uncontrolled trials. Safety data were obtained from case reports, clinical trials, and pharmaceutical registries.
METHODOLOGY
Forty-three international experts and stakeholders followed clinical practice guideline development recommendations outlined by the AGREE Collaboration (www.agreetrust.org). Evidence was synthesized and graded using a comprehensive multicriteria methodology (EVIDEM) (http://bit.ly.PWGHIN).
CONCLUSIONS
Following a multidisciplinary evaluation, preferably by experts, rhGH treatment should be considered for patients with genetically confirmed PWS in conjunction with dietary, environmental, and lifestyle interventions. Cognitive impairment should not be a barrier to treatment, and informed consent/assent should include benefit/risk information. Exclusion criteria should include severe obesity, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, untreated severe obstructive sleep apnea, active cancer, or psychosis. Clinical outcome priorities should vary depending upon age and the presence of physical, mental, and social disability, and treatment should be continued for as long as demonstrated benefits outweigh the risks.
Topics: Adult; Child; Human Growth Hormone; Humans; Infant; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Prader-Willi Syndrome; Recombinant Proteins; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 23543664
DOI: 10.1210/jc.2012-3888 -
Hormone Research in Paediatrics 2022People have long been fascinated with the size and growth of living things, from the giants of classic mythology and art to the little people who also have appeared in... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
People have long been fascinated with the size and growth of living things, from the giants of classic mythology and art to the little people who also have appeared in classical art, as well as the courts of European monarchs, and were exploited in "shows." Serious medical evaluation began in the late 19th century with the description of acromegaly and its association with pituitary tumors. In the early 20th century, multiple investigators attempted to extract a growth-promoting factor from the anterior pituitary and then, over the decades, to purify it and distinguish it from other anterior pituitary hormones. With relatively pure growth hormone (GH), its biological activity in growth promotion and as a metabolic hormone were studied, and species specificity became apparent: primate GH was the only GH active in man. Human GH was prepared from cadaveric pituitaries and distributed by the NIH to treat children with GH deficiency, but there was never enough pituitary hGH for all of the children who required it. When Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease was found in some patients who received pituitary GH, the production and FDA approval of biosynthetic hGH dramatically accelerated. With a large supply, one could treat those who were GH deficient and test its efficacy in other causes of short stature; longer acting versions of hGH have now been developed, tested, and in a few instances received FDA approval.
SUMMARY
It has been a long journey from the description of over- and underproduction of GH in animals to the production and clinical use of the biosynthetic hormones.
KEY MESSAGES
The efforts of basic scientists led to the extraction and purification of GH. Clinical scientists have expanded the appropriate use of hGH for short children with conditions in addition to GH deficiency.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Acromegaly; Dwarfism; Endocrine System Diseases; Growth Hormone; Human Growth Hormone; Pituitary Hormones, Anterior
PubMed: 36446319
DOI: 10.1159/000526440 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2022In contemporary ART, the use of "add-ons" during ovarian stimulation has increased, especially in poor responders. Growth Hormone (GH) is an adjunctive therapy that has... (Review)
Review
In contemporary ART, the use of "add-ons" during ovarian stimulation has increased, especially in poor responders. Growth Hormone (GH) is an adjunctive therapy that has been studied extensively in the translational and clinical setting, with an ongoing scientific debate over its effectiveness and optimal use. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the physiologic basis for the use of GH in ART, and to summarize the latest evidence regarding its clinical use, primarily as an adjunct to ovarian stimulation, but also in the IVF lab and with regards to its effects on the endometrium.
Topics: Female; Humans; Growth Hormone; Fertilization in Vitro; Ovulation Induction; Human Growth Hormone; Reproduction
PubMed: 36531455
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1055097