Tesamorelin, a human growth hormone releasing factor analogue.
BACKGROUND
The combination of clinical effectiveness with a variety of adverse side effects from the use of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in therapy for growth hormone (GH)-deficient disorders has led to the development of human growth hormone releasing factor (GFR) analogues, which may be better tolerated. Tesamorelin, a synthetic GFR, has been developed as a potential treatment for a variety of conditions that may be associated with a relative deficiency of GH including HIV-related lipodystrophy.


OBJECTIVE
This article reviews the development of tesamorelin and its purported role in HIV-related lipodystrophy and other potential indications.


METHODS
Relevant articles and abstracts were obtained from searches of the medical and chemical literature databases and the references from published articles.


CONCLUSIONS
A multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, Phase III clinical trial suggested that tesamorelin might be a beneficial treatment strategy for HIV-related lipodystrophy with a good safety profile and a positive effect on reducing visceral fat. Other potential indications for tesamorelin appear less promising from the current data.
Wang
Ying
Y
Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
Tomlinson
Brian
B
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone; C479538:tesamorelin