Challenges and future for the delivery of growth hormone therapy

Growth hormone (GH) has multiple roles in sustaining human development and homeostasis. Its pulsatile secretion stimulates growth and contributes to an equilibrium in a process tightly regulated and coordinated by many organs. GH deficiency is a medical condition affecting all ages, with not only significant consequences in the health of the patient but also impact on the quality of life. This review gathers the different strategies used today with a glance at future technologies to treat GH deficiency. We present key aspects for consideration when developing new methods to deliver GH, mimicking or replacing its pulsatile activity. Today and in the future, the fusion of biochemistry, biology and nanotechnology will provide hybrid devices using microfluidic systems. But, until new technologies for GH delivery will become available, current methods must be reinforced in conjunction with the development of better communication strategies between the health system and patients. Treating GH deficiency represents a multidisciplinary effort for which this review provides a glance at potential future directions for this therapy.