Emerging options in growth hormone therapy: an update

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Pharmacology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Growth hormone (GH) was initially sourced from cadavers, posing safety and supply concerns.
• Recombinant DNA technology revolutionized GH production in 1985, expanding therapeutic applications.
• The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved numerous indications for GH therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the historical use and evolving indications of growth hormone therapy.
• To discuss current and potential future applications of GH.
• To evaluate the safety profile of GH therapy.

Main Methods:

• Review of historical data and FDA-approved indications for GH therapy.
• Analysis of safety data from the past 25 years.
• Discussion of potential future research directions.

Main Results:

• GH therapy has expanded from rare cadaver sources to widely available recombinant forms.
• Numerous FDA-approved indications exist for both GH-deficiency and non-deficiency states, including idiopathic short stature (ISS).
• GH therapy demonstrates a favorable safety profile with few adverse events.

Conclusions:

• Growth hormone therapy is a safe and versatile treatment with a broad range of approved and potential future uses.
• Coverage for GH therapy is often more reliable with specific diagnoses than with the broader ISS indication.
• Long-term safety studies in adults are necessary to fully understand any potential risks associated with GH therapy.