Acromegaly is a rare disease and in majority of cases caused by a growth hormone (GH)-producing pituitary adenoma. More than 75 % of these adenomas are macroadenomas.1 Acromegaly is characterized by excessive skeletal growth, soft tissue enlargement and reduced quality of life. The cornerstone of the diagnosis acromegaly consists of insufficient GH suppression during oral glucose loading and elevated insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Treatment is aimed at a reduction of sign and symptoms, improved quality of life, and a decrease in morbidity and mortality.
AbstractAfter the introduction of somatostatin analogs (LA-SMSA) and the growth hormone (GH) receptor antagonist, pegvisomant (Peg-v) normal serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations in virtually every patients with acromegaly is possible. The impact of these products on the GH-IGF1 axis is completely different. We advocate that LA-SMSA may normalize serum IGF1 levels in the presence of elevated GH actions in extrahepatic tissues. This results in persistent peripheral disease activity that we call 'extra-hepatic acromegaly'. Peg-v competitively blocks systemic GH action and results in a GH serum level increase. Therefore high doses of Peg-v are necessary to control IGF-1. Since the mode of action differs between these products, it is questionable if identical IGF-1 levels, during Peg-v or LA-SMSA are really identical representations of the biochemical situation. With the traditional biomarkers medical treatment is therefore difficult to monitor with the traditional biomarkers. Additionally, Peg-v and LA-SMSA could be ideal combination since they have different mode of actions. We believe that the time has come to challenge the existing concepts of treatment and monitoring of patients with acromegaly.
KeywordsAcromegaly, extra-hepatic acromegaly, somatostatin analogs, growth hormone receptor antagonist, Pegvisomant, growth hormone sensitivity, growth hormone deficiency, IGF-1 Additionally, LA-SMSA also decrease IGF-1 production in the rodent liver GH independently. 5 These factors might result in an underestimation of disease activity as IGF-I levels during LA-SMSA are already reduced by the GH independently effect of LA-SMSAs on IGF-1 concentration. When IGF-1 levels are within the normal range, clinicians might conclude that this is the result of direct GH suppressive effect of the LA-SMSA and thereby ignoring the GH independent effects on the liver IGF-1 production.However, other nonhepatic tissues, all with their own sensitivity to GH, like kidney, bone, and adipose tissues might still experience a relatively high GH action resulting in signs and symptoms. In this article we will describe these effects as the concept of 'extra-hepatic acromegaly'.
6
Similarities and Differences Between Actions of GH and IGF-1To further address extra-hepatic and hepatic acromegaly, a better understanding of the GH-IGF-1 axis in different metabolic situations is necessary. It is hard to address the individual effect of GH and IGF1 in psychologic condition...