Advances in the Treatment of ACROMEGALY
Acromegaly
When a manufactured protein became available in 2003 for people with acromegaly, a hormone disorder, it marked the first in a new class of drugs that block the effect of the growth
hormone. This potentially fatal disease is a result of the pituitary gland's producing excess growth hormone. This excess hormone causes abnormally enlarged hands, feet, and facial features. Once recognized, acromegaly is treatable in most patients, but because of its slow and often insidious onset, it frequently is not diagnosed correctly.57
Patient Perspective: The "Gentle Giant" with the Devastating Disease
PHARMACEUTICAL ADVANCES
Manufactured Protein to Block Growth Hormone
Pegvisomant works by binding to the growth hormone receptor and blocks the effects of the growth hormone and reduces the signs and symptoms of the disorder.58 It is indicated for use in patients whose acromegaly has not responded to surgery, radiation, or other medicines.59 In clinical trials, researchers found that more than 90 percent of patients responded to the medicine.60
Acromegaly, which is most common in middle-aged adults, can lead to serious health complications such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. It affects at least 40 to 60 out of every million people at any time.61
| In the pipeline are potential treatments for anthrax, cystic fibrosis, and West Nile Virus, which have been granted orphan status by the FDA.62 |
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Endnotes:
57 National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Acromegaly, http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/endo/pubs/acro/acro.htm (accessed 9 September 2005).
58 National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus Drug Information, Pegvisomant, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/500469.html (accessed 9 September 2005).
59 Pfizer Inc., "What Is Somavert?" Somavert, http://www.somavert.com/about/about.html (accessed 14 July 2005).
60 Food and Drug Administration, "FDA Approves First in a New Class of Drugs to Treat Acromegaly," (26 March 2003), http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2003/NEW00885.html (accessed 14 September 2005).
61 University of Maryland Medical Center, "Endocrinology Health Guide: Acromegaly," University of Maryland Medical Center, http://www.umm.edu/endocrin/acromegaly.htm (accessed 18 August 2005).
62 Food and Drug Administration, "Office of Orphan Products Development," available upon request from OOPD.
