Cancer Risks in Patients Treated With Growth Hormone in Childhood: The SAGhE European Cohort Study
Anthony J Swerdlow1,2, Rosie Cooke1, Dominique Beckers3,4
1Division of Genetics and Epidemiology, Institute of Cancer Research, London SW7 3RP, United Kingdom.
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|February 11, 2017
Summary
Recombinant human growth hormone (r-hGH) treatment showed no general cancer risk. However, further investigation is needed for potential links to bone, bladder, and Hodgkin lymphoma cancers, especially with higher doses in previously treated patients.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Pharmacovigilance
Background:
- Growth hormone (GH) is increasingly prescribed for various conditions.
- Concerns exist regarding a potential increased cancer risk associated with GH therapy.
- Limited published data currently addresses this concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between recombinant human growth hormone (r-hGH) treatment and cancer risks.
- To analyze cancer incidence and mortality in patients receiving r-hGH therapy.
Main Methods:
- A large cohort study involving 23,984 patients treated with r-hGH across eight European countries since 1984.
- Comparison of observed cancer incidence and mortality with country-specific national population statistics.
- Analysis of cancer risks in relation to treatment duration, cumulative dose, and prior cancer history.
Main Results:
- Overall cancer incidence and mortality risks were elevated in some cancer sites, primarily due to second primary malignancies in patients with prior cancer history.
- No clear increased risk was observed in patients with growth failure without other significant diseases.
- Significantly increased incidence was noted for bone and bladder cancers in GH-treated patients without prior cancer.
- Hodgkin lymphoma incidence increased with longer follow-up.
- Cancer mortality risk significantly increased with higher daily r-hGH doses in patients with prior cancer.
Conclusions:
- The study findings do not broadly support a carcinogenic effect of r-hGH.
- Further research is warranted to investigate the unexplained trend in cancer mortality risk related to GH dose in patients with prior cancer.
- Additional investigation is needed regarding potential associations with bone cancer, bladder cancer, and Hodgkin lymphoma risks.
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