Status of long-acting-growth hormone preparations — 2015

• GHD is characterised by abnormalities in growth, metabolism and quality of life
• Numerous studies have shown that GH treatment improves the abnormalities of GHD
• Compliance with once daily subcutaneous injections of growth hormone is not optimal
• Several long-acting preparations of GH with different pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetic profiles are under development
• Long-acting GH-preparations have the potential becoming an addition to available treatment options

Growth hormone (GH) treatment has been an established therapy for GH deficiency (GHD) in children and adults for more than three decades. Numerous studies have shown that GH treatment improves height, body composition, bone density, cardiovascular risk factors, physical fitness and quality of life and that the treatment has few side effects. Initially GH was given as intramuscular injections three times per week, but daily subcutaneous injections were shown to be more effective and less inconvenient and the daily administration has been used since its introduction in the 1980s. However, despite ongoing improvements in injection device design, daily subcutaneous injections remain inconvenient, painful and distressing for many patients, leading to noncompliance, reduced efficacy and increased health care costs. To address these issues a variety of long-acting formulations of GH have been developed. In this review we present the current status of long-acting GH preparations and discuss the specific issues related to their development.