Acromegaly is a rare, chronic, and debilitating disease, usually caused by a benign tumor on
the pituitary gland, which leads to excessive production of growth hormone (GH). GH excess in
turn causes overproduction of another hormone called insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1).
IGF-1 levels are currently the most widely accepted measure of disease activity.
In Canada, medical therapy with a type of medicine called "somatostatin analogues" (SSA),
such as octreotide and lanreotide, is recommended for treatment of acromegaly. However,
studies have shown that a significant number of patients who take SSA medications alone
remain with elevated levels of IGF-1 in their blood.
Another medication that is used to treat acromegaly is pegvisomant (PEGV), and the
investigators plan to study whether strict control of IGF-1, by adding or optimizing the use
of PEGV, results in a significant health benefits to patients who still have modestly high
levels of IGF-1 in their blood.
Phase:
Phase 3
Details
Lead Sponsor:
St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto Unity Health Toronto