title: High incidence of anti-GH antibodies in subjects treated with the GH clinical preparation available in Italy.
abstract: We have characterized the GH clinical preparation available in Italy (Grorm, Serono) by gel chromatography and immunoreactivity. Only 50-60% of this preparation can be identified with the active GH monomeric form. Both higher and lower molecular weight compounds are present as well. Then, using a radioimmunoassay technique, we looked for anti-GH antibodies in 21 subjects under Grorm treatment and found them in 6 paitents (28.6%). Two subjects having anti-GH antibodies with high affinity had a lower growth rate. These data suggest that anti-GH antibodies measurement is clinically useful in patients treated with this GH preparation. A more purified preparation should be used when a slowing down of the growth rate is observed in the presence of anti-GH antibodies.
mesh_terms: D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D004393:Dwarfism, Pituitary / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D013006:Growth Hormone