Clinical experience with somatrem in growth hormone deficiency

Three studies of human growth hormone (hGH) in hGH deficiency were initiated. In the first of these, adolescent patients were switched from pituitary hGH to somatrem (SI preparation) for 1 month. No significant differences were noted in any of the clinical parameters measured during treatment with either preparation. In the second study, nine patients (six of them naïve) were treated with somatrem (SII preparation) for 9-12 months. The naïve patients exhibited catch-up growth, and bone age developed in parallel to chronological age during the study period. Somatomedin activity increased and correlated positively with growth. Antibodies to hGH and Escherichia coli polypeptide (ECP) developed in some patients, but titres and binding capacities were low. In the third study, 21 patients are currently being treated with Somatonorm; the first 3-6 months are evaluable. Growth velocities increased to normal values. Antibodies to hGH and ECP were present in several patients, but again the titres and binding capacities were low, and Somatonorm was less antigenic than the SI and SII preparations.