Trials Advance to Next Phase for Once Weekly Growth Hormone

Synthetic Human Growth Hormone, or somatropin, is used as a prescription medication to treat several diseases or conditions that prevent children from growing normally. These include:

• A brain tumor in the hypothalamus or pituitary
• Head trauma
• Radiation therapy for cancers, if the treatment field includes the hypothalamus and pituitary
• Prader-Willi syndrome
• Turner syndrome

Growth hormone is also prescribed for the treatment for the weight loss and muscle wasting that occurs in patients with HIV. Growth hormone replacement therapy is also recommended to improve vitality and the quality of life of aging adults suffering from age related growth hormone loss. For the most part, in the treatment of these various conditions, growth hormone is given as a once or twice daily injection.

However, at the recent 57th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Pediatric Endocrinology held in Athens, Greece, the results of clinical trial were presented which shows promise for a once weekly prescribed dose of growth hormone.

Details of the Clinical Trial for Once Weekly Growth Hormone

The study, known as the Real 3 Trial, compared Somapacitan, a novel growth hormone derivative that is currently in development as a once-weekly administration of growth hormone, with Norditropin®, one of the most commonly prescribed versions of somatropin. The trial looked at the effectiveness and therapeutic benefits of each drug used to treat children with growth hormone deficiency, or GHD. The trial compared three different weekly doses of Somapacitan to a 0.034 mg/kg/day dose of Norditropin®.

The trial concluded that Somapacitan was well tolerated at all doses investigated, with no clinically relevant safety or local tolerability issues identified. In other words, the once a week injections, proved to be as effective and well-tolerated, as the once daily injections. This is significant because, according to researchers, patients taking daily doses of growth hormone, often experience what is known as “injection fatigue.”

“Today children with growth hormone deficiency require daily injections, which can be a considerable treatment burden for patients and caregivers. A once-weekly treatment would represent a significant development for these children and their families, helping them to live less disrupted lives,” said lead investigator Prof Lars Sävendahl of the Karolinska Institutet and Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

In a press release discussing the Real 3 trial, Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, Executive Vice President and Chief Science Officer of Novo Nordisk, said, "The injection fatigue following years of daily administration could negatively impact adherence, thereby leading to worse treatment outcomes. In line with our long-term commitment, we are investigating the potential of Somapacitan as a once-weekly growth hormone treatment for children with growth hormone deficiency."

Other Research Into Growth Hormone Therapy

The Real 3 Trial is just one of many ongoing research studies that are looking into better ways to administer growth hormone injections, as well as how to expand the uses of growth hormone. Other interesting trials are looking into the use of growth hormone to treat sports injuries, reduce the risk of strokes, and even extend life!

This is only a fraction of the current research into the many positive benefits of growth hormone therapy. From research labs the world over, to the treatment rooms in our own clinics, we are seeing how HGH is changing the lives of many men, women, and children.

Why not contact us today, and see how HGH or any of our other hormone therapies may be able to help you.