[Treatment with human growth hormones in 1986]

The availability of large supplies of synthetic human growth hormone (hGH) and somatocrinin (GRF) may lead to new therapeutic possibilities, however still hypothetical. This review briefly summarizes the main data previously acquired with extracted hGH in medical practice: clinical pharmacology, long-term results in completely GH-deficient children, short-term results in partial or atypical GH deficiency and in some other types of severe growth retardation. The data reported up to now (July 1986) from clinical trials using synthetic hGHs and GRF are preliminary. However they allow to discuss guidelines for the new trials, unavoidably long and accurately designed, which are needed for extending and delineating the clinical use of new human growth hormones.