Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026
07:43
Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
Treatment strategies for acromegaly
Ferdinand Roelfsema1, Nienke R Biermasz, Johannes A Romijn
1Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands. f.roelfsema@lumc.nl
Expert Opinion on Emerging Drugs
|November 3, 2005
Summary
Acromegaly, caused by excess growth hormone (GH), increases mortality risk. Treatments include surgery, radiotherapy, and medications like somatostatin analogs and GH-receptor blockers, aiming to normalize GH and IGF-1 levels.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Acromegaly is a chronic disorder from pituitary adenomas causing excess growth hormone (GH).
- Active acromegaly significantly elevates mortality risk, primarily due to cardiovascular disease.
- Surgical cure rates for acromegaly are around 60%, necessitating alternative and adjuvant therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pathophysiology of acromegaly.
- To evaluate current medical treatments, including somatostatin analogs and pegvisomant.
- To discuss emerging therapeutic agents for acromegaly management.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of acromegaly pathophysiology and treatment modalities.
- Analysis of safety and efficacy data for somatostatin analogs and GH-receptor antagonists.
- Examination of clinical trial data for novel acromegaly therapeutics.
Main Results:
- Transsphenoidal surgery offers rapid cure but does not achieve universal success.
- Somatostatin analogs are effective in 50-60% of patients but lack mortality data.
- Pegvisomant normalizes IGF-1 in nearly all patients, representing a significant advancement.
Conclusions:
- Acromegaly management requires a multi-modal approach due to incomplete surgical efficacy.
- Medical therapies, including somatostatin analogs and pegvisomant, play crucial roles in controlling GH excess.
- Ongoing research into new drugs promises improved outcomes for acromegaly patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
01:20Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment
Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular transmission disorder characterized by weakness and increased fatigability of skeletal muscles. It is an autoimmune disease affecting approximately one in 2000 people, where antibodies against the α1 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are produced.
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which leads...
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which leads...
01:29Chronic Pancreatitis II: Collaborative Care
The management of chronic pancreatitis is multifaceted, involving a comprehensive approach that includes thorough assessment, diagnostic testing, and a variety of management strategies.
Assessment:
Assessment:
01:18Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Endothelin Receptor Antagonists
Endothelins (ETs) are potent vasoactive peptides critical in the human body's various physiological and pathological processes. One of the most promising therapeutic strategies for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) involves counteracting the effects of these endothelins using a class of drugs known as endothelin receptor antagonists.
ETs are synthesized through a complex sequence of enzymatic steps, primarily involving an enzyme referred to as endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE). Of...
ETs are synthesized through a complex sequence of enzymatic steps, primarily involving an enzyme referred to as endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE). Of...
01:28Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
01:15Hypoglycemia and Glucagon
Without prolonged fasting, healthy individuals maintain blood glucose levels above 3.5 mM due to a well-adapted neuroendocrine counterregulatory system that effectively prevents acute hypoglycemia, a potentially life-threatening condition. The primary clinical scenarios for hypoglycemia encompass diabetes treatment, inappropriate production of endogenous insulin or insulin-like substances by tumors, and the use of glucose-lowering agents in non-diabetic individuals. Notably, hypoglycemia in the...