Two years in growth hormone 2017-18

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Genetics
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Growth hormone (GH) deficiency diagnosis lacks a gold standard, impacting treatment accuracy.
• Existing GH stimulation tests are influenced by numerous factors, limiting reliability.
• Recombinant human GH (r-hGH) is a safe and effective therapy, but requires ongoing refinement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in GH diagnostics, therapeutics, and biomarkers.
• To explore novel approaches for diagnosing GH deficiency.
• To assess the progress and future potential of long-acting GH formulations and pharmacovigilance.

Main Methods:

• Review of new studies in GH diagnostics, including endocrine tests and gene expression profiling.
• Evaluation of long-acting GH (LA-GH) pharmacology and safety surveillance data.
• Investigation of novel biomarkers, such as collagen type X fragments, for GH action.

Main Results:

• New diagnostic approaches, including GH secretagogue tests and gene expression analysis, show high accuracy.
• Long-acting GH formulations offer potential improvements in patient adherence and convenience.
• Safety surveillance confirms the reassurance of r-hGH in growth disorders, emphasizing continued adult monitoring.
• Novel biomarkers and gene expression profiles show promise in predicting GH response.

Conclusions:

• Refined diagnostic tools and novel therapeutic strategies, including LA-GH, are emerging.
• Pharmacovigilance and personalized treatment approaches are crucial for optimizing GH therapy.
• Further research is needed to validate new biomarkers and gene expression profiles across diverse growth disorders.