A case of an acromegalic patient resistant to the recommended maximum GH receptor antagonist dosage.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The competitive GH receptor antagonist pegvisomant is reported to normalise IGF-1 levels in up to 97 % of acromegalic patients at a maximum dosage of 40 mg/d. Description of Case: We present an acromegalic patient resistant to the recommended maximum GH receptor antagonist dosage. The 60-year-old male patient presenting with typical clinical signs of acromegaly has underwent multiple transsphenoidal surgeries and pituitary irradiation, while currently available pharmacological therapies for acromegaly have been exhausted.

RESULTS:

Biochemical control of the disease could only be achieved until uptitration of pegvisomant to 60 mg/d which was tolerated well.

CONCLUSIONS:

The current treatment algorithm for acromegaly should be modified to treat cases of persistent and uncontrolled disease.

• Authors: C Dimopoulou, C Sievers, M Bidlingmaier, Gk Stalla
• Journal: Hippokratia (Hippokratia) Vol. 16 Issue 1 Pg. 80-2 (Jan 2012) ISSN: 1108-4189 [Print] Greece
• PMID: 23930065 (Publication Type: Journal Article)