Influence of long-acting growth hormone analogs on other hypothalamic-pituitary axes: a real-world study.
In children with isolated GHD, switching to long-acting growth hormone may lead to greater increases in IGF-I levels without affecting adrenal or thyroid function.
Where it sits
this study against the rest of the hgh (somatropin) corpusSummary and findings
This study measured hormonal changes in children with isolated growth hormone deficiency (GHD) starting long-acting growth hormone (LAGH) Somatrogon or switching from daily rhGH. The study involved 33 children, with assessments of IGF-I, ACTH, cortisol, TSH, FT4, and FT3 levels after 3-6 months. Significant increases in IGF-I SDS were observed, particularly in those switching from daily therapy.
Abstract
<h4>Introduction/purpose</h4>Long‑acting growth hormone (LAGH) formulations have emerged to address poor adherence to daily recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), offering reduced injection frequency and comparable efficacy. Though their efficacy and safety in children have been demonstrated in registrative trials and in some real-world studies, their impact on other pituitary axes remains unclear.<h4>Methods</h4>This observational prospective monocentric study explores hormonal changes in isolate growth hormone deficiency (GHD) children (n = 33) starting LAGH Somatrogon (n = 16, G1) or switching from daily rhGH to the same weekly analogue (n = 17, G2). In all study patients, baseline and post‑treatment assessments (after 3-6 months of weekly LAGH start) included IGF‑I, ACTH, cortisol, TSH, FT4 and FT3 levels.<h4>Results</h4>After LAGH initiation, IGF‑I SDS increased significantly in both groups (p < 0.001), more frequently exceeding 2 SDS in G2 (6/17 vs. 2/16 in G1). No significant changes occurred in TSH, FT3, FT4, ACTH or cortisol levels after LAGH start, nor between‑group differences.<h4>Conclusions</h4>In isolated GHD, adrenal and thyroid function remained stable after LAGH initiation, with comparable results in treatment‑naïve patients and in those already receiving daily therapy. A greater increase in IGF-I levels was observed in switchers, suggesting that a lower starting dose may be appropriate in patients previously treated with rhGH. Further studies are required to clarify the endocrine effects of long‑acting formulations in individuals with associated multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies.
Background
Not reported in abstract.
Methods
Not reported in abstract.
Results
Not reported in abstract.
Interpretation
Not reported in abstract.
Limitations
Not reported in abstract.