A long-acting human growth hormone with delayed clearance (VRS-317): results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose study in growth hormone-deficient adults.

ABSTRACT: Administration of daily recombinant human GH (rhGH) poses a considerable challenge to patient compliance. Reduced dosing frequency may improve treatment adherence and potentially overall treatment outcomes.This study assessed the safety and tolerability and the potential for achieving IGF-I levels within the target range in adults with GH deficiency after a single dose of the long-acting rhGH analog, VRS-317.This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose study.Fifty adults with growth hormone deficiency (mean age, 45 years) were studied in 5 treatment groups of 10 subjects each (8 active drug and 2 placebo).The study was conducted in 17 adult endocrinology centers in North America and Europe.Adverse events, laboratory safety assessments, and VRS-317 pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (IGF-I and IGF binding protein-3) were analyzed.At 0.80 mg/kg, VRS-317 had a mean terminal elimination half-life of 131 hours. Single VRS-317 doses of 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, 0.40, and 0.80 mg/kg (approximately equivalent to daily rhGH doses of 0.3-5.0 ?g/kg over 30 d) safely increased the amplitude and duration of IGF-I responses in a dose-dependent manner. After a single 0.80 mg/kg dose, serum IGF-I was maintained in the normal range between -1.5 and 1.5 SD values for a mean of 3 weeks. No unexpected or serious adverse events were observed.The elimination half-life for VRS-317 is 30- to 60-fold longer and stimulates more durable IGF-I responses than previously studied rhGH products. Prolonged IGF-I responses do not come at the expense of overexposure to high IGF-I levels. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics combined with the observed safety profile indicate the potential for safe and effective monthly dosing.

SUBMITTER: Yuen KC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3667252 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature