title: What is the efficacy of switching to weekly pegvisomant in acromegaly patients well controlled on combination therapy?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although combination therapy of acromegaly with long-acting somatostatin analogs (LA-SSAs) and pegvisomant (PEGV) normalizes insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) levels in the majority of patients, it requires long-term adherence. Switching from combination therapy to monotherapy with weekly PEGV could improve patients' comfort, but the efficacy is unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy of switching to PEGV monotherapy in patients well controlled on combination therapy of LA-SSAs and PEGV.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-center, open-label observational pilot study. LA-SSA therapy was discontinued at baseline and all patients were switched to PEGV monotherapy for 12 months. If IGF1 levels exceeded 1.0 times upper limit of normal (ULN), PEGV dose was increased by 20 mg weekly.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 15 subjects (eight males), with a median age of 58 years (range 35-80) on combination therapy of high-dose LA-SSAs and weekly PEGV for >6 months, and IGF1 levels within the normal range. Treatment efficacy was assessed by measuring serum IGF1 levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 12 months of weekly PEGV monotherapy, serum IGF1 levels of 73% of the subjects remained controlled. In one patient, LA-SSA had to be restarted due to recurrence of headache. IGF1 levels increased from a baseline level of 0.62 × ULN (range 0.30-0.84) to 0.83 × ULN (0.30-1.75) after 12 months, while the median weekly PEGV dose increased from 60 (30-80) mg to 80 (50-120) mg.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that switching from combination therapy of LA-SSAs and PEGV to PEGV monotherapy can be a viable treatment option for acromegaly patients without compromising efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology SectionDepartment of Medicine, Pituitary Center Rotterdam, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands a.muhammad.1@erasmusmc.nl.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muhammad
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology SectionDepartment of Medicine, Pituitary Center Rotterdam, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: van der Lely
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology SectionDepartment of Medicine, Pituitary Center Rotterdam, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology SectionDepartment of Medicine, Pituitary Center Rotterdam, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Delhanty
authors.affiliation: Medical Department (Endocrinology and Diabetes)Medical Research Laboratories, Clinical Institute, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dal
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology SectionDepartment of Medicine, Pituitary Center Rotterdam, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Dallenga
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology SectionDepartment of Medicine, Pituitary Center Rotterdam, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Feelders
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology SectionDepartment of Medicine, Pituitary Center Rotterdam, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J A M J L
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Janssen
authors.affiliation: Medical Department (Endocrinology and Diabetes)Medical Research Laboratories, Clinical Institute, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: J O L
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Jorgensen
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology SectionDepartment of Medicine, Pituitary Center Rotterdam, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: S J C M M
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Neggers
mesh_terms: D000172:Acromegaly / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: C583557:IGF1 protein, human; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D013004:Somatostatin; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; C406545:pegvisomant