ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: Long-acting growth hormone (LaGH) therapy has emerged as a newer treatment option for children with growth hormone deficiency, offering a convenient way of administering growth hormone (GH) injections on a weekly basis. Trials have shown that LaGH formulations are effective in increasing height velocity, improving bone mineral density, and reducing body fat mass in children with Growth hormone deficiency (GHD). The once weekly injections also have a potential to improve adherence and compliance with treatment.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the real-world experience of using Somatrogon (0.66mg/kg/week) injection in a group of children with growth hormone deficiency at a tertiary paediatric endocrine centre.

Methods: 13 patients (M:F, 9:4) with a mean age of 5.4 years were started on LaGH (Somatrogon) therapy. Out of this, 5 patients were GH naïve and started on LaGH therapy following patient choice. 8 patients were switched from daily GH to LaGH therapy. Baseline and follow up data including height measurements, growth velocity, and IGF-1 levels before and 3 months after starting treatment was available for 6 of these patients (3 switched from daily GH and 3 GH naïve).

Results: All patients demonstrated good height velocity (9.5cm/year) on LaGH therapy. The mean IGF1 levels improved compared to baseline in all the patients. The baseline mean IGF1 levels (prior to LaGH therapy) was 10.1nmol/L, (normal range; 12.6- 46.6nmol/L) and post LaGH therapy was 32.9nmol/L. All the patients preferred to continue to the once-weekly LaGH injections in the long term due to the reduced frequency of injections avoiding the stress of administering daily injections. No side effects were reported during this period.

Conclusion: Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of long-acting GH treatment in children with GHD. Our study, although limited in number and duration of treatment, provides early data to support the tolerance, safety, and efficacy of Somatrogon in a real-world setting. LaGH provides an additional choice for patients with GH deficiency and future research in larger long-term cohorts is necessary to determine the long-term efficacy and safety.