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Garner T, Clayton P, Højby M, Murray P, Stevens A. Gene Expression Signatures Predict First-Year Response to Somapacitan Treatment in Children With Growth Hormone Deficiency. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024; 109:1214-1221. [PMID: 38066644 PMCID: PMC11031233 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT The pretreatment blood transcriptome predicts growth response to daily growth hormone (GH) therapy with high accuracy. OBJECTIVE Investigate response prediction using pretreatment transcriptome in children with GH deficiency (GHD) treated with once-weekly somapacitan, a novel long-acting GH. METHODS REAL4 is a randomized, multinational, open-label, active-controlled parallel group phase 3 trial, comprising a 52-week main phase and an ongoing 3-year safety extension (NCT03811535). A total of 128/200 treatment-naïve prepubertal children with GHD consented to baseline blood transcriptome profiling. They were randomized 2:1 to subcutaneous somapacitan (0.16 mg/kg/week) or daily GH (0.034 mg/kg/day). Differential RNA-seq analysis and machine learning were used to predict therapy response. RESULTS 121/128 samples passed quality control. Children treated with somapacitan (n = 76) or daily GH (n = 45) were categorized based on fastest and slowest growing quartiles at week 52. Prediction of height velocity (HV; cm/year) was excellent for both treatments (out of bag [OOB] area under curve [AUC]: 0.98-0.99; validation AUC: 0.83-0.84), as was prediction of secondary markers of growth response: HV standard deviation score (SDS) (0.99-1.0; 0.75-0.78), change from baseline height SDS (ΔHSDS) (0.98-1.0; 0.61-0.75), and change from baseline insulin-like growth factor-I SDS (ΔIGF-I SDS) (0.96-1.0; 0.85-0.88). Genes previously identified as predictive of GH therapy response were consistently better at predicting the fastest growers in both treatments in this study (OOB AUC: 0.93-0.97) than the slowest (0.67-0.85). CONCLUSION Pretreatment transcriptome predicts first-year growth response in somapacitan-treated children with GHD. A common set of genes can predict the treatment response to both once-weekly somapacitan and conventional daily GH. This approach could potentially be developed into a clinically applicable pretreatment test to improve clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terence Garner
- Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK
| | - Peter Clayton
- Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK
| | - Michael Højby
- Novo Nordisk, Clinical Drug Development, 2860 Søborg, Denmark
| | - Philip Murray
- Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK
| | - Adam Stevens
- Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK
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Mori J, Ohata Y, Fujisawa Y, Sato Y, Röhrich S, Rasmussen MH, Bang RB, Horikawa R. Effective growth hormone replacement with once-weekly somapacitan in Japanese children with growth hormone deficiency: Results from REAL4, a phase 3 clinical trial. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2024; 100:389-398. [PMID: 38368603 DOI: 10.1111/cen.15025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Somapacitan is a long-acting growth hormone (GH) derivative developed for the treatment of GH deficiency (GHD). This study evaluates the efficacy and tolerability of somapacitan in Japanese children with GHD after 104 weeks of treatment and after switch from daily GH. DESIGN Subanalysis on Japanese patients from a randomised, open-labelled, controlled parallel-group phase 3 trial (REAL4, NCT03811535). PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS Thirty treatment-naïve patients were randomised 2:1 to somapacitan (0.16 mg/kg/week) or daily GH (0.034 mg/kg/day) up to Week 52, after which all patients received somapacitan. Height velocity (HV; cm/year) at Weeks 52 and 104 were the primary measurements. Additional assessments included HV SD score (SDS), height SDS, bone age, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) SDS, and observer-reported outcomes. RESULTS At Week 52, observed mean HV was similar between treatment groups (10.3 vs. 9.8 cm/year for somapacitan and daily GH, respectively). Similar HVs between groups were also observed at Week 104: 7.4 cm/year after continuous somapacitan treatment (soma/soma) and 7.9 cm/year after 1-year somapacitan treatment following switch from daily GH (switch). Other height-related endpoints supported continuous growth. IGF-I SDS increased in both groups with mean IGF-I SDS within -2 and +2 during the study. Somapacitan was well tolerated, one mild injection site reaction was reported, with no reports of injection site pain. Patient preference questionnaires showed that most patients and their caregivers (90.9%) who switched treatment at Week 52 preferred once-weekly somapacitan over daily GH treatment. CONCLUSIONS Somapacitan showed sustained efficacy in Japanese children with GHD over 104 weeks and for 52 weeks after switching from daily GH. Somapacitan was well tolerated and preferred over daily GH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Mori
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, Children's Medical Center, Osaka City General Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yasuhisa Ohata
- Department of Pediatrics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Yasuko Fujisawa
- Department of Pediatrics, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Yukihito Sato
- Rare Disease Group, Novo Nordisk Pharma Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sebastian Röhrich
- Global Medical Affairs, Novo Nordisk Health Care AG, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Højby Rasmussen
- Medical and Science, Rare Disease and Advanced Therapies, Clinical Drug Development, Novo Nordisk A/S, Søborg, Denmark
| | - Rikke Beck Bang
- Biostatistics, Rare Disease and Advanced Therapies, Data Science, Novo Nordisk A/S, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Reiko Horikawa
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
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Yang Z, Yao Q, Gong L, Zhang F, Sun J, Sun Y, Gao W. A Superlong-Acting Growth Hormone-Polypeptide Fusion for Growth Hormone Deficiency Treatment. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2302507. [PMID: 38030143 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202302507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) is clinically used to treat growth hormone deficiency (GHD). However, daily administration of rhGH is required due to its poor stability and short blood circulation, which causes pains and burdens as well as inconvenience to patients. In this study, a method for genetically fusing rhGH to a thermosensitive polymer of elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) is reported, using which the rhGH-ELP thermosensitive fusion protein can be purified by the thermosensitivity of ELP instead of chromatography. The ELP fusion not only drastically improves the stability of rhGH, but also enables the in situ formation of a sustained-release depot of rhGH-ELP upon subcutaneous (SC) injection, which exhibits gentle release with a platform-to-trough fluctuation in blood and a very long circulatory half-life of 594.6 h. In contrast, rhGH exhibits a peak-to-trough fluctuation in blood with a very short circulatory half-life of 0.7 h. As a result, a single subcutaneous injection of rhGH-ELP can consecutively promote the linear growth of rats and the development of major tissues and organs over 3 weeks without obvious side effects, whereas rhGH is required to be injected daily to achieve similar therapeutic results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoying Yang
- Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
- Peking University International Cancer Institute, Beijing, 100191, China
- Peking University-Yunnan Baiyao International Medical Research Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Qiongqiong Yao
- Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
- Peking University International Cancer Institute, Beijing, 100191, China
- Peking University-Yunnan Baiyao International Medical Research Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Like Gong
- Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
- Peking University International Cancer Institute, Beijing, 100191, China
- Peking University-Yunnan Baiyao International Medical Research Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
- Peking University International Cancer Institute, Beijing, 100191, China
- Peking University-Yunnan Baiyao International Medical Research Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Jiawei Sun
- Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
- Peking University International Cancer Institute, Beijing, 100191, China
- Peking University-Yunnan Baiyao International Medical Research Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yuanzi Sun
- Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
- Peking University International Cancer Institute, Beijing, 100191, China
- Peking University-Yunnan Baiyao International Medical Research Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Weiping Gao
- Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
- Peking University International Cancer Institute, Beijing, 100191, China
- Peking University-Yunnan Baiyao International Medical Research Center, Beijing, 100191, China
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4
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Miller BS, Blair JC, Rasmussen MH, Maniatis A, Mori J, Böttcher V, Kim HS, Bang RB, Polak M, Horikawa R. Effective GH Replacement With Somapacitan in Children With GHD: REAL4 2-year Results and After Switch From Daily GH. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2023; 108:3090-3099. [PMID: 37406251 PMCID: PMC10655534 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Somapacitan is a long-acting GH derivative for treatment of GH deficiency (GHD). OBJECTIVE Evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of somapacitan in children with GHD after 2 years of treatment and after the switch from daily GH. DESIGN A randomized, multinational, open-labelled, controlled parallel group phase 3 trial, comprising a 52-week main phase and 3-year safety extension (NCT03811535). SETTING Eighty-five sites across 20 countries. PATIENTS A total of 200 treatment-naïve prepubertal patients were randomized and exposed; 194 completed the 2-year period. INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized 2:1 to somapacitan (0.16 mg/kg/wk) or daily GH (0.034 mg/kg/d) during the first year, after which all patients received somapacitan 0.16 mg/kg/wk. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Height velocity (HV; cm/year) at week 104. Additional assessments included HV SD score (SDS), height SDS, IGF-I SDS, and observer-reported outcomes. RESULTS HV was sustained in both groups between 52 and 104 weeks. At week 104, mean (SD) for HV between weeks 52 and 104 was 8.4 (1.5) cm/year after continuous somapacitan treatment and 8.7 (1.8) cm/year after 1 year of somapacitan treatment following switch from daily GH. Secondary height-related endpoints also supported sustained growth. Mean IGF-I SDS during year 2 was similar between groups and within normal range (-2 to +2). Somapacitan was well tolerated, with no safety or tolerability issues identified. GH patient preference questionnaire results show that most patients and their caregivers (90%) who switched treatment at year 2 preferred once-weekly somapacitan over daily GH treatment. CONCLUSIONS Somapacitan in children with GHD showed sustained efficacy and tolerability for 2 years, and after switching from daily GH. Patients/caregivers switching from daily GH expressed a preference for somapacitan. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT03811535.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley S Miller
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, University of Minnesota Medical School, MHealth Fairview Masonic Children's Hospital, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA
| | - Joanne C Blair
- Department of Endocrinology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, L14 5AB, UK
| | | | | | - Jun Mori
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, Children's Medical Center, Osaka City General Hospital, Osaka 534-0021, Japan
| | - Volker Böttcher
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, MVZ Endokrinologikum Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt 60596, Germany
| | - Ho-Seong Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Institute of Endocrinology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Rikke Beck Bang
- Biostatistics Rare Disease and Advanced Therapies, Novo Nordisk A/S, Aalborg 9220, Denmark
| | - Michel Polak
- Service d’Endocrinologie, Gynécologie et Diabétologie Pédiatriques, Hôpital Universitaire Necker Enfants Malades Paris, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris 75015, France
| | - Reiko Horikawa
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 157-0074, Japan
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Kildemoes RJ, Backeljauw PF, Højby M, Blair JC, Miller BS, Mori J, Lyauk YK. Model-Based Analysis of IGF-I Response, Dosing, and Monitoring for Once-Weekly Somapacitan in Children With GH Deficiency. J Endocr Soc 2023; 7:bvad115. [PMID: 37818403 PMCID: PMC10561011 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvad115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Context Growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy improves longitudinal growth and adult height in children with GH deficiency (GHD). GH stimulates insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I release, the biomarker used for monitoring GH activity during treatment. Objective This study aims to provide model-based insights into the dose-IGF-I responses of once-weekly somapacitan, a novel long-acting GH, compared with daily GH in children with GHD. Methods Analyses included dosing information and 1473 pharmacokinetic samples from 210 somapacitan-treated pediatric patients with GHD across 3 trials, including phase 1 (NCT01973244), phase 2 (NCT02616562; REAL 3), and phase 3 (NCT03811535; REAL 4), as well as 1381 IGF-I samples from 186 patients with GHD treated with somapacitan in REAL 3 and REAL 4. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling to characterize somapacitan dose-IGF-I response and predict the response to dosing day changes. Results Relationships were established between somapacitan dose, exposure, change from baseline IGF-I SD score (SDS), and height velocity (HV). A linear model permitted the development of a tool to calculate estimated average weekly IGF-I exposure from a single IGF-I sample obtained at any time within the somapacitan dosing interval at steady state. In practice, the use of this tool requires knowledge of somapacitan injection timing relative to IGF-I sample collection timing. IGF-I SDS simulations support flexible dosing day changes while maintaining at least 4 days between doses. Conclusion We characterized the dose-IGF-I response of somapacitan in children with GHD. To support physicians in IGF-I monitoring, we present a practical guide about expected weekly average IGF-I concentrations in these patients and provide insights on dosing day flexibility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Philippe F Backeljauw
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Michael Højby
- Clinical Drug Development, Novo Nordisk A/S, Søborg 2860, Denmark
| | - Joanne C Blair
- Department of Endocrinology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool L14 5AB, UK
| | - Bradley S Miller
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, University of Minnesota Medical School, MHealth Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA
| | - Jun Mori
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, Children's Medical Center, Osaka City General Hospital, Osaka, 534-0021, Japan
| | - Yassine K Lyauk
- Clinical Drug Development, Novo Nordisk A/S, Søborg 2860, Denmark
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6
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Ullah A, Shin G, Lim SI. Human serum albumin binders: A piggyback ride for long-acting therapeutics. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103738. [PMID: 37591409 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Human serum albumin (HSA) is the most abundant protein in the blood and has desirable properties as a drug carrier. One of the most promising ways to exploit HSA as a carrier is to append an albumin-binding moiety (ABM) to a drug for in situ HSA binding upon administration. Nature- and library-derived ABMs vary in size, affinity, and epitope, differentially improving the pharmacokinetics of an appended drug. In this review, we evaluate the current state of knowledge regarding various aspects of ABMs and the unique advantages of ABM-mediated drug delivery. Furthermore, we discuss how ABMs can be specifically modulated to maximize potential benefits in clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aziz Ullah
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; Gomal Centre of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan 29050, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Goeun Shin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; Nbios Inc, 7, Jukheon-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung In Lim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; Marine BioResource Co., Ltd., 365, Sinseon-ro, Nam-gu, Busan 48548, Republic of Korea.
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7
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Villarruel LA, Brie B, Municoy S, Becú-Villalobos D, Desimone MF, Catalano PN. Silica-collagen nanoformulations with extended human growth hormone release. Int J Pharm 2023; 634:122662. [PMID: 36736675 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.122662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Growth hormone deficiency has been treated by the daily administration of recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) for decades. Patient compliance to this treatment is generally incomplete due to challenges including dose frequency and lack of perceived benefits. This stimulates the research on new formulations to reduce the number of periodic administrations. In this study silica nanoparticles and silica-collagen nanocomposites were evaluated for hGH loading and release. Bare nanoparticles showed higher hGH adsorption capacity than thiol- and isobutyl-bearing particles of similar diameters. Monitoring of bound protein conformation changes indicated hGH structure retention when adsorbed on bare silica nanoparticles and suggested no alterations on protein activity. Protein-loaded particles incorporated into collagen matrices (silica-collagen nanocomposites) showed a progressive protein release profile different from the observed for hGH-loaded silica nanoparticles and hGH-loaded collagen matrices. While both the collagen and the silica nanoparticle systems reached a 100 % release after 4 and 7 days respectively, silica-collagen nanocomposites showed a bi-phasic prolonged hGH release reaching approximately an 80 % after 15 days. These findings suggest that biocompatible silica-collagen nanocomposites could be used as vehicles for the prolonged delivery of hGH which could lead to a potential reduction in the number of periodic administrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis A Villarruel
- Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología (CNEA - CONICET), Nodo Constituyentes, Av. Gral.Paz 1499 (B1650KNA), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Departamento de Micro y Nanotecnología, Gerencia de Desarrollo Tecnológico y Proyectos Especiales, Gerencia de Área de Investigación y Aplicaciones No Nucleares, Centro Atómico Constituyentes, Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica, Av. Gral. Paz 1499 (B1650KNA), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Belén Brie
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490 (C1428ADN), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sofía Municoy
- Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), CONICET, Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco (IQUIMEFA), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Junin 954 (1113), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Damasia Becú-Villalobos
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490 (C1428ADN), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Martín F Desimone
- Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), CONICET, Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco (IQUIMEFA), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Junin 954 (1113), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Paolo N Catalano
- Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología (CNEA - CONICET), Nodo Constituyentes, Av. Gral.Paz 1499 (B1650KNA), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Departamento de Micro y Nanotecnología, Gerencia de Desarrollo Tecnológico y Proyectos Especiales, Gerencia de Área de Investigación y Aplicaciones No Nucleares, Centro Atómico Constituyentes, Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica, Av. Gral. Paz 1499 (B1650KNA), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Junin 954 (1113), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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8
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Kildemoes RJ, Hollensen C, Biller BMK, Johannsson G, Takahashi Y, Rasmussen MH. Dose-exposure-IGF-I response of once-weekly somapacitan in adults with GH deficiency. Eur J Endocrinol 2022; 187:27-38. [PMID: 35521713 PMCID: PMC9175552 DOI: 10.1530/eje-21-1167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy in patients with adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) is individually titrated due to variable dose-responses among patients. The aim of this study was to provide clinical guidance on dosing and titration of the novel long-acting GH derivative somapacitan based on analyses of somapacitan dose-insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) responses in AGHD patients. DESIGN Analyses of dosing information, 4364 somapacitan concentration samples and 4880 IGF-I samples from 330 AGHD patients treated with somapacitan in three phase 3 trials. METHODS Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modelling was used to evaluate starting dose groups by age and oral oestrogen therapy, characterise the dose-IGF-I response in the overall AGHD population and patient subgroups, predict the IGF-I response to dose changes and simulate missed dosing. RESULTS The analyses supported the clinical recommendations of higher starting doses for younger patients and women on oral oestrogen replacement therapy. For patients switching from daily GH treatment, the mean maintenance dose ratio between somapacitan (mg/week) and somatropin (mg/day) was predicted to be 8.2 (observed interquartile range of 6.7-9.1). Simulations of IGF-I SDS profiles confirmed the appropriate time for IGF-I sampling to be 3-4 days after somapacitan dosing and supported somapacitan administration with up to 3 days delay in case of missed dosing. Subgroup analyses characterised the dose-exposure-IGF-I response in patient subgroups and indicated that dose requirements are mainly influenced by sex and oral oestrogen treatment. CONCLUSIONS This study extends the knowledge of the somapacitan dose-IGF-I response and provides information on clinical dosing of once-weekly somapacitan in patients with AGHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasmus Juul Kildemoes
- Global Development, Novo Nordisk A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark
- Correspondence should be addressed to R J Kildemoes;
| | | | - Beverly M K Biller
- Neuroendocrine and Pituitary Tumor Clinical Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gudmundur Johannsson
- Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Göteborg, Göteborg, Sweden
- Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Yutaka Takahashi
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan
- Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
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9
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Sävendahl L, Battelino T, Højby Rasmussen M, Brod M, Saenger P, Horikawa R. Effective GH Replacement With Once-weekly Somapacitan vs Daily GH in Children with GHD: 3-year Results From REAL 3. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:1357-1367. [PMID: 34964458 PMCID: PMC9016428 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Current GH therapy requires daily injections, which can be burdensome. Somapacitan is a long-acting GH derivative in development for treatment of GH deficiency (GHD). OBJECTIVE Evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of once-weekly somapacitan after 3 years of treatment. DESIGN A multicenter, randomized, controlled, phase 2 study comparing somapacitan and once-daily GH for 156 weeks (NCT02616562). SETTING Twenty-nine sites in 11 countries. PATIENTS Fifty-nine children with GHD randomized (1:1:1:1) and exposed to treatment. Fifty-three children completed the 3-year period. INTERVENTIONS Patients received somapacitan (0.04 [n = 14], 0.08 [n = 15], or 0.16 [n = 14] mg/kg/wk) or daily GH (n = 14) (0.034 mg/kg/d, equivalent to 0.238 mg/kg/wk) subcutaneously during the first year, after which all patients on somapacitan received 0.16 mg/kg/wk. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Height velocity (HV) at year 3; changes from baseline in height SD score (HSDS), HVSDS, and IGF-I SDS. RESULTS The estimated treatment difference (95% CI) in HV for somapacitan 0.16/0.16 mg/kg/wk vs daily GH at year 3 was 0.8 cm/y (-0.4 to 2.1). Change in HVSDS from baseline to year 3 was comparable between somapacitan 0.16/0.16 mg/kg/wk, the pooled somapacitan groups, and daily GH. A gradual increase in HSDS from baseline was observed for all groups. At year 3, mean HSDS was similar for the pooled somapacitan groups and daily GH. Change from baseline to year 3 in mean IGF-I SDS was similar across treatments. CONCLUSIONS Once-weekly somapacitan in children with GHD showed sustained efficacy over 3 years in all assessed height-based outcomes with similar safety and tolerability to daily GH. A plain language summary (1) is available for this study. CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02616562 (REAL 3).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Sävendahl
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet and Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna 171 64, Sweden
- Correspondence: Lars Sävendahl, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet and Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 64 Solna, Sweden.
| | - Tadej Battelino
- University Medical Center Ljubljana, and Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | | | - Meryl Brod
- The Brod Group, Mill Valley, CA 94941, USA
| | | | - Reiko Horikawa
- National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
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10
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Helleberg H, Lindecrona RH, Thygesen P, Bjelke M. Structure identification of circulating metabolites from somapacitan, a long-acting growth hormone derivative, and pharmacokinetics after single and multiple subcutaneous dosing in rats. Eur J Pharm Sci 2022; 168:106032. [PMID: 34610450 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2021.106032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Somapacitan is a growth hormone derivative approved for once-weekly treatment of growth hormone deficiency in adults and currently in clinical development for once-weekly dosing in children. The purpose of this study was to obtain non-clinical data from rats to support the safety evaluation of the most abundant metabolites of somapacitan in humans. The aims were to identify somapacitan metabolites and their relative proportions in rat plasma, identify the structure of abundant metabolites and measure the systemic metabolite exposure at the no-observed-adverse-effect level in the rat. After a single dose of radiolabelled somapacitan and analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography with radiochemical detection, seven somapacitan-related metabolites were detected in plasma from male rats, of which six were seen in plasma from female rats. The three most abundant metabolites (M1, M2 and M3) were structurally identified from liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry data, and a fourth metabolite (P1) was characterised from its specific retention time (lacking retention to the stationary phase) in plasma analysis with reversed-phase liquid chromatography and radiochemical detection. The metabolites were products from proteolysis of the peptide backbone in somapacitan. A deamidation product of the M1 metabolite (M1B) was also identified. Following multiple, twice-weekly dosing for 4 weeks, somapacitan was the principal plasma component up to 36 h after dosing. After 36 h, metabolites M1+M1B were the most abundant plasma components. Pharmacokinetic models were developed for somapacitan and metabolite P1 and used for steady-state assessment in the rat. Comparison of our data generated from rats with data from the parallel human study demonstrated that the most abundant metabolites were present in rats at higher levels than in humans. This study has provided non-clinical safety data that contribute to an overall safety assessment of somapacitan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Helleberg
- Global Discovery & Development Sciences, Novo Nordisk A/S, Måløv, Denmark.
| | | | - Peter Thygesen
- Global Discovery & Development Sciences, Novo Nordisk A/S, Måløv, Denmark
| | - Mads Bjelke
- Global Discovery & Development Sciences, Novo Nordisk A/S, Måløv, Denmark
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Sánchez-Trasviña C, Flores-Gatica M, Enriquez-Ochoa D, Rito-Palomares M, Mayolo-Deloisa K. Purification of Modified Therapeutic Proteins Available on the Market: An Analysis of Chromatography-Based Strategies. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:717326. [PMID: 34490225 PMCID: PMC8417561 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.717326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteins, which have inherent biorecognition properties, have long been used as therapeutic agents for the treatment of a wide variety of clinical indications. Protein modification through covalent attachment to different moieties improves the therapeutic's pharmacokinetic properties, affinity, stability, confers protection against proteolytic degradation, and increases circulation half-life. Nowadays, several modified therapeutic proteins, including PEGylated, Fc-fused, lipidated, albumin-fused, and glycosylated proteins have obtained regulatory approval for commercialization. During its manufacturing, the purification steps of the therapeutic agent are decisive to ensure the quality, effectiveness, potency, and safety of the final product. Due to the robustness, selectivity, and high resolution of chromatographic methods, these are recognized as the gold standard in the downstream processing of therapeutic proteins. Moreover, depending on the modification strategy, the protein will suffer different physicochemical changes, which must be considered to define a purification approach. This review aims to deeply analyze the purification methods employed for modified therapeutic proteins that are currently available on the market, to understand why the selected strategies were successful. Emphasis is placed on chromatographic methods since they govern the purification processes within the pharmaceutical industry. Furthermore, to discuss how the modification type strongly influences the purification strategy, the purification processes of three different modified versions of coagulation factor IX are contrasted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calef Sánchez-Trasviña
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Miguel Flores-Gatica
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Daniela Enriquez-Ochoa
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Marco Rito-Palomares
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Karla Mayolo-Deloisa
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Monterrey, Mexico
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12
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Bentz Damholt B, Dombernowsky SL, Dahl Bendtsen M, Bisgaard C, Højby Rasmussen M. Effect of Kidney or Hepatic Impairment on the Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Somapacitan: Two Open-Label, Parallel-Group Trials. Clin Pharmacokinet 2021; 60:1015-1027. [PMID: 33754315 PMCID: PMC8332591 DOI: 10.1007/s40262-021-00990-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Somapacitan is a long-acting growth hormone (GH) derivative being developed for once-weekly dosing in patients with GH deficiency (GHD). Our objective was to evaluate the impact of kidney or hepatic impairment on somapacitan exposure in adults. METHODS In two open-label, parallel-group, single-center, 6-week trials, eligible subjects (18-75 years of age, body mass index 18.5-34.9 kg/m2, GH-naïve, without GHD) were divided into five kidney (total n = 44) or three hepatic (n = 34) function groups. Subjects with normal kidney/hepatic function were matched to those with kidney/hepatic impairment by age, sex, and body weight. Subjects received three subcutaneous somapacitan administrations (0.08 mg/kg) on days 1, 8, and 15. Blood samples were collected before each dose, at 28 time points throughout 2 weeks after the last dose, and at follow-up (3-4 weeks after the last dose). The primary endpoint was area under the somapacitan serum concentration-time curve up to 1 week after the last dose (AUC0-168 h), while secondary endpoints included AUC0-168 h of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I. RESULTS In the kidney impairment trial, somapacitan AUC0-168 h was higher in groups with severe kidney impairment and requiring hemodialysis versus the normal kidney function group (estimated ratio and 90% confidence interval 1.75 [1.00-3.06] and 1.63 [1.01-2.61], respectively). AUC0-168 h of IGF-I was increased in the moderate impairment group (1.35 [1.09-1.66]), severe impairment group (1.40 [1.10-1.78]), and requiring hemodialysis group (1.24 [1.01-1.52]), compared with the normal function group. In the hepatic impairment trial, somapacitan AUC0-168 h was significantly higher in the moderate impairment group compared with the normal hepatic function group (4.69 [2.92-7.52]). IGF-I AUC0-168 h was lower in both hepatic impairment groups (0.85 [0.67-1.08] for the mild impairment group and 0.75 [0.60-0.95] for the moderate impairment group) compared with the normal function group. No new safety or tolerability issues were observed. CONCLUSIONS In summary, somapacitan exposure increased with level of kidney/hepatic impairment. Clinically, this will be taken into account when treating adults with GHD with somapacitan, as doses should be individually titrated. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT03186495 (kidney impairment trial, registered 12 June 2017); NCT03212131 (hepatic impairment trial, registered 30 June 2017).
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Abstract
Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) generally occurs in patients with Cushing's disease (CD) as a consequence of cortisol excess. Mass effect may contribute to the development of GHD in the minority of patients with CD due to corticotroph macroadenomas. Patients with CD in remission are at considerable risk of GH deficiency as a consequence of pituitary surgery or radiation therapy. The purpose of the present review is to summarize data on GH deficiency in adults with CD. Untreated GH deficiency is associated with increased visceral adiposity, decreased lean mass, bone mass, and exercise capacity, impaired linear growth (in children), dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and impaired quality of life. Evaluation and treatment of GHD should be considered in patients with CD in remission. Serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) can be helpful in the diagnosis of GHD among patients with multiple additional pituitary hormone deficiencies. The diagnosis of GHD generally requires dynamic testing, including insulin, glucagon or macimorelin stimulation. Growth hormone replacement may improve body composition, bone density, linear growth (in children), exercise capacity, dyslipidemia and quality of life. While generally safe, GH replacement requires careful monitoring to assure effectiveness and tolerance in treated patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas A Tritos
- Neuroendocrine Unit and Neuroendocrine and Pituitary Tumor Clinical Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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14
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Juul Kildemoes R, Højby Rasmussen M, Agersø H, Overgaard RV. Optimal Monitoring of Weekly IGF-I Levels During Growth Hormone Therapy With Once-Weekly Somapacitan. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2021; 106:567-576. [PMID: 33313798 PMCID: PMC7823237 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Somapacitan is a long-acting growth hormone (GH) in development for once-weekly treatment of GH deficiency (GHD). Optimal monitoring of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels must account for weekly IGF-I fluctuations following somapacitan administration. OBJECTIVE To develop and assess the reliability of linear models for predicting mean and peak IGF-I levels from samples taken on different days after dosing. DESIGN A pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model was used to simulate IGF-I data in adults and children following weekly somapacitan treatment of GHD. SETTING AND PATIENTS 39 200 IGF-I profiles were simulated with reference to data from 26 adults and 23 children with GHD. INTERVENTION(S) The simulated dose range was 0.02 to 0.12 mg/kg for adults and 0.02 to 0.16 mg/kg for children. Simulated data with >4 average standard deviation score were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Linear models for predicting mean and peak IGF-I levels based on IGF-I samples from different days after somapacitan dose. RESULTS Robust linear relationships were found between IGF-I sampled on any day after somapacitan dose and the weekly mean (R2 > 0.94) and peak (R2 > 0.84). Prediction uncertainties were generally low when predicting mean from samples taken on any day (residual standard deviation [RSD] ≤ 0.36) and peak from samples taken on day 1 to 4 (RSD ≤ 0.34). IGF-I monitoring on day 4 and day 2 after dose provided the most accurate estimate of IGF-I mean (RSD < 0.2) and peak (RSD < 0.1), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Linear models provided a simple and reliable tool to aid optimal monitoring of IGF-I by predicting mean and peak IGF-I levels based on an IGF-I sample following dosing of somapacitan. A short visual summary of our work is available (1).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Henrik Agersø
- Global Development, Novo Nordisk A/S, Bagsværd, Denmark
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15
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Yuen KCJ, Miller BS, Boguszewski CL, Hoffman AR. Usefulness and Potential Pitfalls of Long-Acting Growth Hormone Analogs. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:637209. [PMID: 33716988 PMCID: PMC7943875 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.637209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Daily recombinant human GH (rhGH) is currently approved for use in children and adults with GH deficiency (GHD) in many countries with relatively few side-effects. Nevertheless, daily injections can be painful and distressing for some patients, often resulting in non-adherence and reduction of treatment outcomes. This has prompted the development of numerous long-acting GH (LAGH) analogs that allow for decreased injection frequency, ranging from weekly, bi-weekly to monthly. These LAGH analogs are attractive as they may theoretically offer increased patient acceptance, tolerability, and therapeutic flexibility. Conversely, there may also be pitfalls to these LAGH analogs, including an unphysiological GH profile and differing molecular structures that pose potential clinical issues in terms of dose initiation, therapeutic monitoring, incidence and duration of side-effects, and long-term safety. Furthermore, fluctuations of peak and trough serum GH and IGF-I levels and variations in therapeutic efficacy may depend on the technology used to prolong GH action. Previous studies of some LAGH analogs have demonstrated non-inferiority compared to daily rhGH in terms of increased growth velocity and improved body composition in children and adults with GHD, respectively, with no significant unanticipated adverse events. Currently, two LAGH analogs are marketed in Asia, one recently approved in the United States, another previously approved but not marketed in Europe, and several others proceeding through various stages of clinical development. Nevertheless, several practical questions still remain, including possible differences in dose initiation between naïve and switch-over patients, methodology of dose adjustment/s, timing of measuring serum IGF-I levels, safety, durability of efficacy and cost-effectiveness. Long-term surveillance of safety and efficacy of LAGH analogs are needed to answer these important questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C. J. Yuen
- Barrow Pituitary Center, Barrow Neurological Institute, Departments of Neuroendocrinology and Neurosurgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine and Creighton School of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, United States
- *Correspondence: Kevin C. J. Yuen,
| | - Bradley S. Miller
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Cesar L. Boguszewski
- SEMPR, Serviço de Endocrinologia e Metabologia, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Andrew R. Hoffman
- Department of Medicine, VA Palo Alto Health Care System and Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United States
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Ayuso M, Buyssens L, Stroe M, Valenzuela A, Allegaert K, Smits A, Annaert P, Mulder A, Carpentier S, Van Ginneken C, Van Cruchten S. The Neonatal and Juvenile Pig in Pediatric Drug Discovery and Development. Pharmaceutics 2020; 13:44. [PMID: 33396805 PMCID: PMC7823749 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13010044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pharmacotherapy in pediatric patients is challenging in view of the maturation of organ systems and processes that affect pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Especially for the youngest age groups and for pediatric-only indications, neonatal and juvenile animal models can be useful to assess drug safety and to better understand the mechanisms of diseases or conditions. In this respect, the use of neonatal and juvenile pigs in the field of pediatric drug discovery and development is promising, although still limited at this point. This review summarizes the comparative postnatal development of pigs and humans and discusses the advantages of the juvenile pig in view of developmental pharmacology, pediatric diseases, drug discovery and drug safety testing. Furthermore, limitations and unexplored aspects of this large animal model are covered. At this point in time, the potential of the neonatal and juvenile pig as nonclinical safety models for pediatric drug development is underexplored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Ayuso
- Comparative Perinatal Development, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (L.B.); (M.S.); (A.V.); (C.V.G.)
| | - Laura Buyssens
- Comparative Perinatal Development, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (L.B.); (M.S.); (A.V.); (C.V.G.)
| | - Marina Stroe
- Comparative Perinatal Development, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (L.B.); (M.S.); (A.V.); (C.V.G.)
| | - Allan Valenzuela
- Comparative Perinatal Development, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (L.B.); (M.S.); (A.V.); (C.V.G.)
| | - Karel Allegaert
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (K.A.); (P.A.)
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anne Smits
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University Hospitals UZ Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pieter Annaert
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (K.A.); (P.A.)
| | - Antonius Mulder
- Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Antwerp, 2650 Edegem, Belgium;
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | | | - Chris Van Ginneken
- Comparative Perinatal Development, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (L.B.); (M.S.); (A.V.); (C.V.G.)
| | - Steven Van Cruchten
- Comparative Perinatal Development, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (L.B.); (M.S.); (A.V.); (C.V.G.)
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17
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Miller BS, Velazquez E, Yuen KCJ. Long-Acting Growth Hormone Preparations - Current Status and Future Considerations. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020; 105:5611083. [PMID: 31676901 PMCID: PMC7755139 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgz149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Long-acting GH (LAGH) preparations are currently being developed in an attempt to improve adherence. The profile of GH action following administration of LAGH raises practical questions about clinical monitoring and long-term safety and efficacy of these new therapeutic agents. METHODS Recent literature and meeting proceedings regarding LAGH preparations are reviewed. RESULTS Multiple LAGH preparations are currently at various stages of development, allowing for decreased GH injection frequency from daily to weekly, biweekly, or monthly. Following administration of LAGH, the serum peak and trough GH and IGF-I levels vary depending upon the mechanism used to prolong GH action. Randomized, controlled clinical trials of some LAGH preparations have reported non-inferiority compared with daily recombinant human GH (rhGH) for improved growth velocity and body composition in children and adults with GH deficiency (GHD), respectively. No significant LAGH-related adverse events have been reported during short-term therapy. CONCLUSION Multiple LAGH preparations are proceeding through clinical development with some showing promising evidence of short-term clinical efficacy and safety in children and adults with GHD. The relationship of transient elevations of GH and IGF-I following administration of LAGH to efficacy and safety remain to be elucidated. For LAGH to replace daily rhGH in the treatment of individuals with GHD, a number of practical questions need to be addressed including methods of dose adjustment, timing of monitoring of IGF-I, safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness. Long-term surveillance of efficacy and safety of LAGH preparations will be needed to answer these clinically relevant questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley S Miller
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Correspondence and Reprint Requests: Bradley S. Miller, MD, PhD, 8952D, MB671 East Bldg, Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, 2450 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55454. E-mail:
| | - Eric Velazquez
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Kevin C J Yuen
- Departments of Neuroendocrinology and Neurosurgery, Barrow Pituitary Center, Barrow Neurological Institute, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona
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18
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Bamba V, Levine MA. Long-acting Growth Hormone Therapy: A REAL3 Alternative to Daily Growth Hormone Treatment? J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020; 105:5735663. [PMID: 32055832 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Vaneeta Bamba
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Michael A Levine
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Johansson E, Nielsen AD, Demuth H, Wiberg C, Schjødt CB, Huang T, Chen J, Jensen S, Petersen J, Thygesen P. Identification of Binding Sites on Human Serum Albumin for Somapacitan, a Long-Acting Growth Hormone Derivative. Biochemistry 2020; 59:1410-1419. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.0c00019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Eva Johansson
- Novo Nordisk A/S, Novo Nordisk Park 1, DK-2760 Måløv, Denmark
| | | | - Helle Demuth
- Novo Nordisk A/S, Novo Nordisk Park 1, DK-2760 Måløv, Denmark
| | | | | | - Tao Huang
- Novo Nordisk Research Centre China, 20 Life Science Park Road, Changping District, 102206 Beijing, China
| | - Jianhe Chen
- Novo Nordisk Research Centre China, 20 Life Science Park Road, Changping District, 102206 Beijing, China
| | - Sanne Jensen
- Novo Nordisk A/S, Novo Nordisk Park 1, DK-2760 Måløv, Denmark
| | - Jørgen Petersen
- Novo Nordisk A/S, Novo Nordisk Park 1, DK-2760 Måløv, Denmark
| | - Peter Thygesen
- Novo Nordisk A/S, Novo Nordisk Park 1, DK-2760 Måløv, Denmark
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20
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Juul RV, Rasmussen MH, Agersø H, Overgaard RV. Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Once-Weekly Somapacitan in Children and Adults: Supporting Dosing Rationales with a Model-Based Analysis of Three Phase I Trials. Clin Pharmacokinet 2020; 58:63-75. [PMID: 29671202 PMCID: PMC6325982 DOI: 10.1007/s40262-018-0662-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Background Somapacitan, a long-acting growth hormone (GH) derivative, has been well-tolerated in children with GH deficiency (GHD) and adults (healthy and adult GHD), in phase I, single- and multiple-dose trials, respectively, and has pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties supporting a once-weekly dosing regimen. Objective In the absence of a multiple-dose phase I trial in children with GHD, the aim was to develop a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model to predict somapacitan exposure and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) response after once-weekly multiple doses in both children and adults with GHD. Methods Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic models were developed from pharmacokinetic and IGF-I profiles in three phase I trials of somapacitan (doses: healthy adults, 0.01–0.32 mg/kg; adult with GHD, 0.02−0.12 mg/kg; children with GHD, 0.02–0.16 mg/kg) using non-linear mixed-effects modeling. Pharmacokinetics were described using a non-linear one-compartment model with dual first- and zero-order absorption through a transit compartment, with saturable elimination. IGF-I profiles were described using an indirect response pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model, with sigmoidal-effect relationship. Results The non-linear pharmacokinetic and IGF-I data were well-described in order to confidently predict pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profiles after multiple doses in adults and children with GHD. Body weight was found to be a significant covariate, predictive of the differences observed in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics between children and adults. Weekly dosing of somapacitan provided elevated IGF-I levels throughout the week, despite little or no accumulation of somapacitan, in both adults and children with GHD. Conclusion This analysis of somapacitan pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic data supports once-weekly dosing in adults and children with GHD. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier numbers NCT01514500, NCT01706783, NCT01973244. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s40262-018-0662-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Henrik Agersø
- Global Development, Novo Nordisk A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark
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21
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Petersen M, Gandhi PS, Buchardt J, Alanentalo T, Fels JJ, Johansen NL, Helding-Kvist P, Vad K, Thygesen P. Tissue Distribution and Receptor Activation by Somapacitan, a Long Acting Growth Hormone Derivative. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21041181. [PMID: 32053994 PMCID: PMC7072805 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Somapacitan is a long-acting, once-weekly, albumin-binding growth hormone (GH) derivative. The reversible albumin-binding properties leads to prolonged circulation half-life. Here, we investigated and compared somapacitan with human GH on downstream receptor signaling in primary hepatocytes and hepatocellular models and using isothermal titration calorimetry to characterize receptor binding of somapacitan in the presence or absence of human serum albumin (HSA). With non-invasive fluorescence imaging we quantitatively visualize and compare the temporal distribution and examine the tissue-specific growth hormone receptor (GHR) activation at distribution sites. We found that signaling kinetics were slightly more rapid and intense for GH compared with somapacitan. Receptor binding isotherms were characterized by a high and a low affinity interaction site with or without HSA. Using in vivo optical imaging we found prolonged systemically biodistribution of somapacitan compared with GH, which correlated with plasma pharmacokinetics. Ex vivo mouse organ analysis revealed that the temporal fluorescent intensity in livers dosed with somapacitan was significantly increased compared with GH-dosed livers and correlated with the degree of downstream GHR activation. Finally, we show that fluorescent-labeled analogs distributed to the hypertrophic zone in the epiphysis of proximal tibia of hypophysectomized rats and that somapacitan and GH activate the GHR signaling in epiphyseal tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maj Petersen
- Global Drug Discovery, Novo Nordisk A/S, 2760 Måløv, Denmark
| | | | - Jens Buchardt
- Global Research Technologies, Novo Nordisk A/S, 2760 Måløv, Denmark
| | - Tomas Alanentalo
- Umeå Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Knud Vad
- Global Development, Novo Nordisk A/S, 2860 Søborg, Denmark
| | - Peter Thygesen
- Global Drug Discovery, Novo Nordisk A/S, 2760 Måløv, Denmark
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-3075-4617
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Yuen KCJ, Llahana S, Miller BS. Adult growth hormone deficiency: clinical advances and approaches to improve adherence. Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab 2019; 14:419-436. [PMID: 31721610 DOI: 10.1080/17446651.2019.1689119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: There have been significant clinical advances in the understanding of the diagnosis and benefits of long-term recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) replacement in adults with GH deficiency (GHD) since its approval in 1996 by the United States Food and Drug Administration.Areas covered: We searched PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE and PsychInfo databases between January 2000 and June 2019 for published studies evaluating adults with GHD. We reviewed the data of the oral macimorelin test compared to the GHRH plus arginine and the insulin tolerance tests that led to its approval by the United States FDA and European Medicines Agency for adult diagnostic testing. We summarize the clinical advances of long-term benefits of rhGH therapy and the potential effects of GH receptor polymorphisms on individual treatment responsiveness. We identify that non-adherence and discontinuation rates are high and recommend strategies to support patients to improve adherence. We also provide an overview of several long-acting GH (LAGH) preparations currently under development and their potential role in improving treatment adherence.Expert opinion: This article summarizes recent clinical advances in rhGH replacement therapy, the biological and molecular aspects that may influence rhGH action, and offers practical strategies to enhance adherence in adults with GHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C J Yuen
- Barrow Pituitary Center, Barrow Neurological Institute, University of Arizona College of Medicine and Creighton School of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Sofia Llahana
- Division of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, City University of London, London, UK
| | - Bradley S Miller
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Lal RA, Hoffman AR. Perspectives on long-acting growth hormone therapy in children and adults. ARCHIVES OF ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM 2019; 63:601-607. [PMID: 31939485 PMCID: PMC7237337 DOI: 10.20945/2359-3997000000190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Growth hormone therapy with daily injections of recombinant human growth hormone has been available since 1985, and is shown to be safe and effective treatment for short stature in children and for adult growth hormone deficiency. In an effort to produce a product that would improve patient adherence, there has been a strong effort from industry to create a long acting form of growth hormone to ease the burden of use. Technologies used to increase half-life include depot formulations, PEGylated formulations, pro-drug formulations, non-covalent albumin binding growth hormone and growth hormone fusion proteins. At present, two long acting formulations are on the market in China and South Korea, and several more promising agents are under clinical investigation at various stages of development throughout the world. Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2019;63(6):601-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayhan A Lal
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Andrew R Hoffman
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Medical Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
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Lal RA, Hoffman AR. Long-Acting Growth Hormone Preparations in the Treatment of Children. PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY REVIEWS : PER 2019; 16:162-167. [PMID: 30378794 DOI: 10.17458/per.vol16.2018.lh.longactingghpreparation] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Human growth hormone (hGH), which had been in use since 1958, was supplanted by recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in 1985 for those with growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Adherence to daily subcutaneous growth hormone is challenging for patients. Thus, several companies have pursued the creation of long acting rhGH. These agents can be divided broadly into depot formulations, PEGylated formulations, pro-drug formulations, non-covalent albumin binding GH and GH fusion proteins. Nutropin Depot is the only long acting rhGH ever approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and it was removed from the market in 2004. Of the approximately seventeen candidate drugs, only a handful remain under active clinical investigation or are commercially available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayhan A Lal
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA, Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA, E-mail:
| | - Andrew R Hoffman
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA 3Medical Service, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
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Yuen KCJ, Miller BS, Biller BMK. The current state of long-acting growth hormone preparations for growth hormone therapy. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes 2018; 25:267-273. [PMID: 29746309 DOI: 10.1097/med.0000000000000416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To discuss the rationale of developing long-acting growth hormone (LAGH) preparations, to describe the technologies designed to prolong GH action, and to address key issues regarding efficacy, safety, and monitoring while on treatment. REVIEW FINDINGS Recombinant human GH is currently approved for daily use and has been shown to restore longitudinal growth, and improve body composition with relatively few side-effects in children and adults with GH deficiency, respectively. However, daily injections can be inconvenient, painful and distressing for some patients, resulting in decreased adherence and efficacy. Over a dozen pharmaceutical companies have designed LAGH preparations that are at various stages of development using a number of different methods to prolong GH action. SUMMARY LAGH will represent an advancement over daily recombinant human GH injections because of fewer injections that may offer increased acceptance, tolerability, and therapeutic flexibility to patients that potentially can improve treatment outcomes. However, given the unphysiological profile of LAGH preparations, long-term surveillance of efficacy and safety are needed. This review summarizes recent developments of LAGH preparations, and highlights the importance of long-term surveillance registries to assess for efficacy and safety that will be essential for understanding the impact of prolonged exposure to these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C J Yuen
- Department of Neuroendocrinology and Neurosurgery, Barrow Pituitary Center, Barrow Neurological Institute, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Bradley S Miller
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Beverly M K Biller
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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