Advances in the pharmacotherapy of patients with acromegaly

Acromegaly is a disease characterized by growth hormone (GH) excess originating, in approximately 95% of cases, from a somatotroph pituitary adenoma. Symptomatology and clinical features are due to GH and insulin-like growth factor 1 excess; unfortunately, for most patients diagnosis is delayed by several years. Acromegaly patients' morbidity and mortality are higher than those of the normal population. However, with adequate biochemical control mortality rates can be restored to normal. Tumor size and location, symptoms, comorbidities, and lastly, but not least, patient preference, are all important aspects in treatment decision making, and treatment approach should be individualized. Current therapy includes medical, surgical, and radiation. This review focuses on recent significant developments in medical therapy. There are three major therapeutic drug classes: somatostatin receptor ligands (SRLs), which represent the mainstay of medical therapy, GH receptor blockers, and dopamine agonists. Multi-ligand receptor SRLs such as pasireotide, should increase therapeutic choices for acromegaly patients currently uncontrolled on available SRLs. Furthermore, significant research has been focused in the development of novel delivery modalities (e.g., oral and long acting subcutaneous administration).