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Mecasermin (Increlex - Tercica), which is injected subcutaneously, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of growth failure in children with severe primary insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) deficiency. Mecasermin is recombinant human (rh) IGF-1. It has also been approved to treat children with short stature who are deficient in growth hormone (GH), but have developed neutralizing antibodies in response to GH treatment. A similar product, mecasermin rinfabate (Iplex - Insmed), that was approved by the FDA for the same indications was withdrawn from the market due to patent...

The FDA has approved Humatrope, Lilly's brand of recombinant human growth hormone (somatropin), for long-term treatment of children with idiopathic, non-growth-hormone-deficient (NGHD) short stature who are more than 2.25 standard deviations below the mean height for their age and sex. This review describes the clinical studies, adverse effects, and includes a cost table for other brands of somatropin.

The FDA has approved pegvisomant (Somavert Pfizer), a growth hormone receptor antagonist, for parenteral treatment of acromegaly in patients who are not candidates for or have had an inadequate response to surgery or other treatment. This review describes the disease of acromegaly and its standard treatment options. Also included are sections on the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, adverse effects, drug interactions, and the dosage and cost of pegvisomant. Results of clinical studies are discussed. The conclusion provides an overall assessment of the prospects for this new drug.

A new needle-free system (cool.click) has been approved by the FDA for subcutaneous delivery of Saizen (recombinant somatotropin - Serono). Somatotropin is used for long-term treatment of children with growth failure due to inadequate secretion of endogenous growth hormone. Children with growth hormone deficiency require injections daily or several times weekly for many years.